September/October 2012 by Mechanical Business

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SEPT/OCT 2012 $6.95

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WHEN PLUMBING ISSUES THREATEN A HOSPITAL, I’M THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

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M e c h a n i c a l

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2012

Heating Report

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CONTENTS O F

Revising sales tactics

With ecoEnergy incentives now in the rear-view mirror, manufacturers, distributors and contractors are gaining ground by focusing on higher efficiency, greater control and hasslefree installations. Jeb Roberts

B u s i n e s s

COVER STORY As the host of Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Network and Discovery Canada, Mike Rowe is a perpetual apprentice, and has tried his hand at more than 300 careers. But he’s much more than an apprentice, he’s also one of the biggest cheerleaders the trades have, and he’s harnessing his energies to garner respect for the trades through the mikeroweWORKS foundation. Adam Freill

TODAY’S BATHROOMS SHOW STYLE AND SUBSTANCE 32Despite the economic ups

and downs, it seems that homeowners are still willing to invest cash into dressing up their private spaces, and bathrooms continue to be a major source of business. Denise Deveau

NEW BOILER

The Industry Heads West

CIPHEX West Preview Western Canada’s largest expo and conference for plumbing, HVAC/R and water treatment takes place November 7 and 8 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

LEGISLATION NOW IN EFFECT

In an effort to reduce energy usage, new regulations requiring that all new boilers have energy saving controls became a reality as of September 1. Carol Fey

On the cover: Dirty Jobs host Mike Rowe likes to challenge the notion that a four-year degree is the only path to a worthwhile career. He launched mikeroweWORKS.com to promote public awareness of the skilled trades and organizations supporting those trades. Photo: mikeroweWORKS.

M e c h a n i c a l

F E AT U R E S 58HVAC/R

Getting consumer-friendly with HVAC answers John Crozier

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CONTENTS O F

76CIPH ABC

Memories of Montebello

78HRAI ANNUAL CONFERENCE An adventure in Halifax

80REFRIGERATION

Detecting leaks in systems Gino DiFebo

96PLUMBING

Dezincification exposed Jason Boyd

100HVAC/R

Troubleshooting: The hard way Carol Fey

102FIND THE FIX 104HVAC

Dining al fresco Andrew Merritt

106PUMPS

Think T for temperature Rodney D. M. Brandon

108SUSTAINABILITY

Designed for the now, and for the then Karen Fantin

112THERMOSTAT SWAP

Warming up to smart technology Denise Deveau

118SNOWMELT

The goal: Safety The strategy: Proper installation Allan Black

120TOOL TIP

Pressing to impress

122ROAD WARRIOR: Kristi Hansen Jeb Roberts

124CONTROLS

Popular features, and when to use them Eric Riml

134HYDRONIC

Radiant shines in corporate headquarters Ronald Gagnon

IKEA SHOWCASES SUSTAINABILITY

64HVAC/R This past spring, IKEA took the wraps off its latest energy-

efficient store concept in Richmond, B.C., a project that includes an innovatively designed geothermal heat loop, occupancy sensors and destratification fans that deliver both comfort and efficiency. Denise Deveau

PLUMBING Reusing water is good for the environment and reduces the burden on municipal infrastructure, but it can also bring cost savings to a facility. Chris Thompson

THE BENEFITS OF

RECOVERING WATER 116HYDRONICS

A maintenance plan should include verification of boiler safeties and combustion analysis, but should not be limited to the boiler alone. Maintenance should include a review of the entire system including piping and components. Melissa Wadkinson

FULL STEAM AHEAD

HOW TO MAINTAIN A STEAM BOILER SYSTEM M e c h a n i c a l

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THE GEOSPRING HAS PEOPLE WARMING UP THEIR PIPES IN A WHOLE NEW WAY. The GeoSpringâ&#x201E;˘ Hybrid Water Heater from GE uses 62% less energy and saves $325 a year on utility bills.* Long showers for less means more happy customers and less frantic phone calls. Advanced technology is making the business of hot water heaters something everyone can sing about. GE works. geappliances.ca 1-855-742-6112

*Based on DOE test procedure and comparison of a 50-gallon standard electric tank water heater using 4879 kWh per year vs. the GeoSpring Hybrid Water heater using 1830 kWh per year.

T A B L E Content Media Group Inc. 19 – 1525 Cornwall Road Oakville, ON L6J 0B2 CANADA Tel: 905.465.2919 Fax: 905.465.2913 www.mechanicalbusiness.com September/October 2012 Issue Published 6 times per year.

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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 2012. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission of the publisher. Proud members of:

O F

S P E C I A L I S T S

Editor: Adam Freill, ext. 224 adam.freill@mechanicalbusiness.com Associate Editor/Web Editor: Jeb Roberts, ext. 225 jeb.roberts@mechanicalbusiness.com

CONTENTS

REFRIGERATION Regulating boiling points and pressure settings Phil Boudreau In a refrigeration system, regulators are used to adjust the boiling point of refrigerant in the system, as well as to establish a minimum or maximum pressure setting. HIGH PERFORMANCE HVAC Rethinking duct design practices Gorde Cooke The rethinking of appliance sizing should also lead to a rethink of duct sizing as well. MARKETING Don’t miss on your follow-through Doug MacMillan E-mail can be your best marketing tool, if you follow a few rules. ASK ROGER Learning from other contractors Roger Grochmal Roger is always sharing information with other contractors, but where does he get his inspiration from? And where does he research concepts to try at his own company? HYDRONICS Expanding horizons with water-to-water systems Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr Solar- and boiler-based systems are not the only way to build a hydronic system. Follow along with Hot Rod as he builds a system based on a water-source heat pump.

141 WORLD VIEW The great debate: Washdown vs. Siphonic Jeff Patchell Which technology transports waste farther along a building drainline? You might be surprised.

D E PA R T M E N T S 08From the editor’s desk 12News 24Profile: John Hammill 136The Info Page 138Calendar 142By the numbers

P R O D U C T S 26Heating 38,132Plumbing 52,121,127Hydronics 128,130HVAC/R 131Stuff you need

CHECK US OUT ONLINE M e c h a n i c a l

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FROM

RE-VERBER-RAY RE-VERBER-RAY

THE

EDITOR’S

DESK

In search of a few good fans The need to attract qualified people, and especially young people, is a challenge that is being faced by most sectors of the trades. We are not alone in trying to entice the bright young minds that are emerging from the iPad and PlayStation existence that is high school. On the positive side, we are no longer waiting for students to find us.

IIntroducing ntroduc d the HL3 SERIES g gas fired infrared infrared hea te fired heater Two T wo stage operation operation improves improves comfort comfort levels, levels, faster faster heat heat recovery recovery and an additional 12% fuel savings savings over over single stage. stage.

Q Quality, uality, black coated, coated, locking locking tube e exchangers xchangers prolong prolong equipmentt lif equipmen life, fe, enhanc enhance e hea heatt output and install with ease ease.. A dvanced stainless st eel Advanced steel v ortex burner pr oduces an vortex produces elonga ted flame rresulting esulting elongated g reater hea ibution. greater heatt distr distribution.

One of the largest national Tweet, tweet, tweet… mechanical trade association in the Got a twitter handle? We do. country, HRAI, has developed a Follow us at @MechBusiness! speaker’s kit that can be signed out by contractors and other interested parties. The kit is designed to facilitate participation in events that attract young people interested in exploring possible career options, and they have a co-ordinator on staff to help with any efforts at reaching these youth. Attracting young people is also high on the agenda over at CIPH, where new chairman John Hammill (check out his profile on page 24) sees the need of a youth movement to not only be an industry concern, but also an association concern. He is encouraged by the addition of a number of younger board members, but that’s only one of many steps that are needed in our industry. As much as reaching out to youth and encouraging the next generation of contractors, engineers and executives are all necessary pieces of the puzzle along the path to securing the future personnel needs of the industry, and they are steps that should be applauded, I found Mike Rowe’s perspective quite enlightening (check out his comments, starting on page 72). While talking up the industry from within is helpful, Mike suggests that we need to get people from outside the industry onboard in order make a larger impression. The challenge is to turn users of mechanical technology into fans of the technology. In Facebook terms, we need a whole lot of people to “Like” us. Figure out how to create fans, and we’ll figure out how to avoid workforce shortages for years to come. Until next time,

H Highly ighly polished polished,, adjustable aluminum rreflectors eflectors pr provide ovide optimal ffocus ocus o of infrared infrared hea heatt w aves tto o tar get ar eas. waves target areas. Adam Freill, Editor

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WHY? OUR POPULAR SYSTEM 15®® & SYSTEM XFR®® NOW TM MECHANICAL COUPLINGS FOR 8", 10" & 12" INCLUDES MJ GREYTM

DAVID BOWERING, Project Coordinator,

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System 15®® and System XFR®® are so much faster to connect, allowing us to complete three joints in the same amount of time it would for one joint with cast iron. For the St. John’s long-term care facility project, we used System 15 and System XFR for drainage from bathrooms, kitchens and laundry facilities, as well as some storm drainage systems.

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@EEFM8K@FE 8J JFC@; 8J JK<<C Down-fired Fire Tube The Trinity Fire Tube (TFT) heat exchanger is ASME certified and uses an innovative down-fired concept. The tubes have a dimpled design to optimize heat transfer, which increases energy efficiency. The Fire Tubes provide generous space for flue gas to pass, and significantly reduce the need for cleaning due to the vertical configuration and self-cleaning operation when in condensation mode.

Stainless steel design The wet leg combustion chamber enables up to 99% combustion efficiency. The ASME certified heat exchanger is constructed using 439 Stainless Steel, making it extremely resistant to corrosion. The Fire Tube design allows water to flow freely around the heating surfaces of the boiler, which significantly reduces pressure drop.

Efficiencies & performance The TFT provides AFUE efficiencies up to 97.1%. NTI was the first to develop the totally-sealed combustion system, whereby air is not drawn from the cabinet.

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10.12

News www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Lowe’s drops Rona bid As of press time, Lowe’s has withdrawn its proposal to purchase Rona due to stiff opposition to its unsolicited bid, but Lowes did not rule out exploring acquisition options again in the future. The U.S.-based retailer had previously offered $1.76 billion for the Quebecbased Rona, and had even hired a lobbyist to help overcome political opposition to the potential takeover. According go a Rona spokesperson, should Rona become the target of a takeover, the transaction would likely include its Noble and Don Park divisions.

HRAI and CIPH announce show changes HRAI and CIPH have agreed to change the name of the CMX/CIPHEX Trade Show and Learning Forum to the Canadian Mechanical and Plumbing Exposition (CMPX) for 2014. The biennial show will also have a new day pattern, running from Wednesday to Friday. The 2014 CMPX trade show will be held March 19-21, 2014 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. cmpx.ca

rona.ca

OPIA holds annual meeting

EPA begins Energy Star program for water heaters The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the development of an Energy Star program for commercial water heaters and corresponding draft specifications. The proposed program will include commercial gas storage and instantaneous water heaters, as well as heat-pumpbased units. The EPA plans to finalize this specification by the end of the year, and a spokesperson for Natural Resources Canada has confirmed that a similiar program is in the works for Canada.

Art Wagar of Task Controls (left) and Ontario Plumbing Inspectors Association president Doug Flucker (right) mug for the camera at the OPIA’s 82nd Annual Meeting and Education Seminar in Sarnia, Ont. Approximately 80 delegates and sponsors attended the event, which included seminars, exhibits and the 11th Annual Gary Greig Golf Classic Tournament.

epa.gov

opia.info

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

David Chilton

(@DirtyJobMikey)

(@wealthy_barber)

Mike Rowe for president? Politics is a dirty game and Dirty Jobs has given me great experience!

Funniest result of being on "Dragons’ Den"? I now get asked "Is Kevin really like that?" more than I do "RRSP or mortgage paydown?"

LOVE hearing feedback like this: Sales person was excellent, explained everything thoroughly. Service men were polite, quick and cleaned up nicely.

Great night at Olympic track with incredible team @CTVOlympics watching Usain Bolt make history #London2012

Sept. 13, 2012

Sept. 7, 2012

Aug. 9, 2012

Aug. 12, 2012

J.J. McLellan & Son Plumbing & Heating

Mike Rowe

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(@jjmclellanHVAC)

Catriona Le May Doan (@Catrionald)

MCAH announces board members The Mechanical Contractors Association of Hamilton (MCAH) has named its board of directors for the 2012-2013 year. Pictured in the front row (left to right) are treasurer Mike DiLallo, president Lorraine Waller and vice-president Jason Campbell. In the back row (left to right) are George Furness, Bill Patterson, Anthony DeChellis and past-president Paul Shewfelt. Also on the board is Doug Cormier. mcahamilton.org

Novo launches dealer program

Low-lead requirements approaching

Novo Water Conditioning recently announced the launch of its Novo ProAdvantage Water Conditioning Dealer Program, created to offer marketing and technical support to plumbing professionals. Program features include a consumer helpline, dealer hotline, consumer financing and co-op advertising program.

New versions of ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1 and CSA B125.3 standards for plumbing fittings are expected to include NSF 372 low-lead requirements for potable plumbing products in Canada. The CSA updates, which will answer the current lack of published standards for plumbing fittings, are expected to be published in late fall this year.

novowater.com

csagroup.org

Oil training hits Blue Mountain

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Jamie Whitehead of Cooper Plumbing & Heating in Calgary checks out a Knight Boiler at Lochinvar’s headquarters in Nashville, Tenn. Lochinvar treated Jamie and 20 other topperforming VIP contractors to an all-expensespaid trip to experience the storied city. Other Canadians on the trip included Brian Pedersen of Calgary, Joseph Laverriere of Vancouver, Scott Derby of Montreal and Jonathan Hobson of Enfield, N.S.

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Lochinvar gives back

Tom O’Neill, energy sales manager with FS Partners, discusses diversifying product offerings to include biodiesel blends during COHA Ontario’s recent Education Day. The event, the third annual, was held in midSeptember at the Blue Mountain Conference Centre in Collingwood, Ont., and featured a full day of business sessions, as well as an evening of entertainment for the 75 members who attended.

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10.12

News www.mechanicalbusiness.com

SRP achieves ISO certification Superior Radiant Products Ltd. (SRP) recently passed the auditing requirements for ISO 9001:2008. The globally recognized certification recognizes excellence in quality management systems and practices. superiorradiant.com

MCAH and UA support hospitals UA Local 67 and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Hamilton recently donated $275,000 to support patient care initiatives at the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation. The donation will be shared among Hamilton General Hospital, Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, McMaster Children’s Hospital, and St. Peter’s Hospital. “We are truly humbled by the generosity of these two partner organizations and their commitment to health care in our region,” said Pearl Veenema (far right), president and CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation.

APP ALERT

ualocal67.com mcahamilton.org

Dwyer 2012 catalog app Dwyer Instruments has released its 2012 catalogue as an app for iPhone, iPad and the Google Play market. The app includes thumbnail page navigation and video content.

HRAI looks to the future HRAI recently agreed to participate in “Renewing Futures,” a study on the current and emerging human resource needs of the renewable energy sector. The study aims to create a Canada-wide human resources strategy to match job seekers to employer requirements by analyzing such factors as labour market conditions, competition and workforce mobility. Researchers will also interview HVAC/R industry members involved in renewable energy work.

dwyer-inst.com

Thermostat manual database Available for iPad and iPhone, the RTFM Thermostats app from Techlite Enterprises gives users access to over 300 thermostat manuals. When the user selects a brand and model number for a particular thermostat, a PDF version of its manual is automatically downloaded to the device and filed within the app. Users can also enable automatic updates for downloaded manuals. techlitellc.com

M e c h a n i c a l

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hrai.ca

Looking to hire? Check out MB’s online career section, home of the latest industry job postings. mechanicalbusiness.com

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INNOVATION MAKES A SPLASH IN CANADA

A. O. SMITH IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE ITS NEW LINE-UP OF RESIDENTIAL WATER HEATERS. For decades, plumbing professionals have relied on the quality and durability of A. O. Smith water heating products. With the added value of innovative features and advanced technology, choosing an energy efficient residential water heater has never been so easy. When you install an A. O. Smith residential water heater, whether it’s gas, electric or hybrid you can be confident that you are getting the best water heating solution regardless of the application — for today and for years to come. Proud to offer ENERGY STAR qualified models for superior energy efficiency.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PRODUCT LINE-UP IN BOOTH 519 AT THE CIPHEX WEST 2012, VANCOUVER For a complete list of eligible products, visit contractorrewards.com

Learn more about the A. O. Smith product line-up by scanning here with your Smartphone. www.hotwatercanada.ca

10.12

News www.mechanicalbusiness.com

UA signs affiliation agreement

Jim Steiner of Steiner Plumbing in Dauphin, Man.; John Warnica of Lowe Mechanical in Winnipeg; Merle Anderson of Wolseley; and Bill Parsons of Parsons Plumbing in Winnipeg teamed up with approximately 150 golfers for the Seventh Annual Wolseley Classic, held at Bel Acres Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg. The tournament raised $30,000 for the Manitoba Special Olympics.

John Telford (right), the director of Canadian affairs for the United Association of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters (UA), met with United Association general president William Hite (left) and Plumber Trades Employees Union federal secretary Earl Setches (centre) during the recent signing of an affiliation agreement for joint skills training and employment initiatives in Canada, the United States and Australia. The agreement seeks to help streamline the building industry, reducing the shortage of skilled workers by expediting the visa process for North American workers in all phases of the plumbing, pipe fitting, sprinkler fitting and welding trades.

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uacanada.ca

Wolseley tees off for charity

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Mits celebrates 25 years McKeough hits the greens McKeough Supply recently held its 14th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Burford Golf Links in Burford, Ont. Approximately 110 customers, vendors and staff hit the links, raising $30,000 for Camp Trillium.

Taco Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s general manager, Jim Garrett, presents the keynote speech at an open house held by Mits Airconditioning Inc. in celebration of its 25th anniversary in September. mitsair.com

mckeoughsupply.com

Tekmar unveils new website To give its customers a more simplified user experience, control systems manufacturer tekmar recently launched its redesigned website. The new site provides visitors with detailed product information, design tools, technical literature and specifications, training opportunities, and a variety of customer service options.

Victaulic renames sprinkler system Victaulic has changed the name of its AquaFlex sprinkler system to the VicFlex Sprinkler Fitting System. This change coincides with the recent release of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Style AB1 bracket and Series AH2 braided hose, which are part of the renamed system.

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10.12

Movers and Shakers www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Daikin acquires Goodman Daikin Industries, Ltd, has signed an agreement to acquire Goodman Global Group, Inc., for $3.7 billion. The move pairs Daikin’s presence in the global commercial market with Goodman’s experience in the residential and light commercial sectors. “Because of the different complementary products and markets that our separate organizations serve, we do not expect any immediate organizational changes,” said Goodman CEO David Swift. goodmanmfg.com daikin.com

Runtal names rep

ECCO expands in the west ECCO Supply, a wholesaler and distributor of HVAC materials and products, has opened new branches in Calgary and Chilliwack, B.C. The new Calgary North branch, the company’s second in Calgary, is located at 1145 65th Avenue N.E. and can be reached at 403-295-4234. The new 10,500 sq. ft. Chilliwack branch is located at 108–7900 Evans Road and can be reached at 604-702-4400. eccosupply.ca

Runtal North America has appointed Midwest Engineering Ltd. of Winnipeg as its exclusive sales rep for all of Manitoba. Midwest will represent all Runtal commercial, residential and institutional products. They can be reached at 204-989-3636. midwesteng.mb.ca

New facility in Ontario

Neo Valves announces partner Neo Valves Ltd. has partnered with U.S.-based Jomar Valve to distribute the company’s complete line throughout Canada. Jomar supplies product for HVAC, plumbing, utility and industrial applications.

LG Electronics Canada, Inc., has relocated its head office from Mississauga, Ont. The new office is located at 20 Norelco Drive in North York, Ont., and can be reached at 647-253-6300. lg.com

jomarvalve.com neovalves.com

Flexcon announces reps Flexcon Industries, a manufacturer of hydronic, thermal, well and ASME expansion tanks, has announced that Les Agences J.P. Sylvain is now serving as its representation for Quebec, while Barret Sales will represent the company in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI. flexcon.com

Victaulic opens in Saint Laurent Victaulic held the official grand opening of its new facility in Saint Laurent, Que., in early October with an event featuring tours and product demonstrations. The company’s Saint Laurent location can be found at 5895 Rue Kieran, and can be reached at 514-337-3500. victaulic.com

M e c h a n i c a l

Uponor adds Quebec office Uponor Ltd. has opened a new sales office in Laval, Que., serving as the sales, design and field support centre for Quebec and areas eastward in Canada. Members from Uponor’s senior management committee, including North America president Bill Gray and Canadian general manager Charlie Harte, attended the grand opening. The new office is located at 2580 Boulevard de Corbusier and can be reached at 450-687-5583. uponor.ca

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10.12

People in the news www.mechanicalbusiness.com RON McARTHUR has been appointed president of the Napoleon Group of Companies, including all worldwide divisions. A chartered accountant by profession, his prior posts include an internet marketing company and president of Hudson’s Bay Wholesale.

TED ELLIOTT (top right) has been appointed to the role of area HVAC leader for McKeough Supply’s Brantford, Ont., location and the company’s new Hamilton location. Elliott has been with McKeough since 1996, and most recently served as profit centre manager for the Brantford branch. McKeough also announced that VICTOR HYMAN (bottom right) will serve as its new Hamilton location’s profit centre leader.

Mirolin has named STEVE BAKER as its new sales manager for Western Canada. Baker, who most recently served as Alberta regional manager for building product distributor Canwel Broadleaf, will be responsible for the company’s wholesale business and strategic expansion.

Soler & Palau Canada Inc., has hired GLENN CURTIS as its national sales manager. Curtis brings eight years of industry experience to the role.

M e c h a n i c a l

As part of its internal restructuring, HRAI has added four new team members to enhance its operational efficiencies. The new staff members include JOHN SHEARHAM (1), director of operations/ services; LUTCIE PONNUDURAI (2), program assistant; RAJ CHINNAPA (3), technical sales specialist; and GRACE GRAVINA (4), marketing and communications specialist. Other title changes for key contacts 4 within the organization’s new structure will include: MARTIN LUYMES (5), director of programs/ relations; JOANNE SPURRELL (6), manager 5 of educational programs; CAROLINE CZAJKO (7), manager of divisional programs (manufacturers and wholesalers); HEATHER GRIMOLDBYCAMPBELL (8), manager of meetings and events; and 6 APRIL GUCCIARDO (9), manager of environmental services.

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JIM ANDERSON has been named general manager of Noble. Anderson, who joined the company in 2004, will be responsible for the company’s day-today operations and for driving its longterm growth plan. Wolseley Canada has promoted JAMIE HEBB (top right) to shared purchasing centre manager and LOUIE PEPE (bottom right) to lead its sourcing department. Hebb began his career with the company’s Industrial Products Group in Halifax in 1999. Pepe brings more than 14 years of experience in sourcing roles to his new position. The Morgan Group has appointed MARK ARIS to serve as sales representative for southwestern Ontario. Aris will be responsible for supporting sales initiatives in the territory extending from Stratford to Windsor. BOB KINGDON (top right) has been appointed branch manager of Ecco Supply’s new Calgary North location, and will continue to manage the company’s original Calgary branch. Also at Ecco, LARRY REEVE (bottom right) has been named branch manager of the company’s new Chilliwack, B.C., location.

NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM ANNOUNCED; AMERICAN GRANBY AFFILIATION CB Supplies is proud to announce that it now has a new management team in place.

Ray Nassiri

Mike Martin

VP Operations

VP Western Region

Howard Huss

Warren Lowe

VP Sales and Marketing

VP Corporate Devleopment

Leading that group is John Lowe who purchased CB Supplies in March of 2012. John is a Canadian living in the Toronto area and the President/Owner of American Granby. His new management team at CB Supplies consists of 4 Vice Presidents: Ray Nassiri – VP Operations Ray Nassiri, with an MBA and Masters in Engineering, has been a significant member of the management of CB Supplies for the past 14 years. His years of experience in purchasing, inventory control, and operations management will keep CB Supplies running seamlessly. Mike Martin – VP Western Region Mike Martin has been with CB Supplies for 17 years, and since July of 2011 has been responsible for overseeing the sales and operations of the Western region,

including the Burnaby, BC distribution centre and Vanguard Pipe & Fittings Ltd. His experience in sales and operations leaves the West in good hands. Howard Huss – VP Sales & Marketing Howard Huss joined the CB Supplies team on September 4, 2012 after 17 years of regional and national sales management at Oatey Canada. Howard assumes the lead on all sales and marketing responsibilities previously held by Sid Assefi. Howard is a welcome addition to our team. Warren Lowe – VP Corporate Development Warren Lowe, MBA, joins the CB Supplies team after running Monarch-McLaren (American Granby Canada) as General Manager for the past 3 years. Warren played a key role in the purchase of CB Supplies and will be involved in overall management, improvement of the business and indentifying new opportunities.

CB SUPPLIES & AMERICAN GRANBY The common ownership of American Granby and CB Supplies holds great potential for customers on both sides of the border. Syracuse, NY-based, American Granby is a Master Distributor selling to wholesalers in the pump/well, pool/spa, irrigation and plumbing markets in the USA and Canada. CB Supplies is a Master Distributor of plumbing, heating and refrigeration products operating out of distribution hubs in Vancouver, Calgary Toronto and Montreal. CB Supplies is now the exclusive Canadian distributor of American Granby products. Integration efforts now mean that products from both companies can now be purchased on the same purchase order, through the same customer service agents ... and using the same sales team across Canada. By adding more products to the joint portfolio, CB Supplies now has more than 20,000 SKUs. This strengthens CB Supplies’ position in the Canadian market and makes the company a force to be reckoned with in the market. The future looks very bright for CB Supplies and American Granby. For more information, please contact your local CB Supplies branch, or your local sales representative. 5266 Timberlea Blvd., Mississauga, ON L4W 2S6 T: 905.629.4242 F: 905.629.3204 8125 North Fraser Way, Burnaby, BC V5J 5M8 T. 604-431-5088 F. 604-431-5029

www.cbsupplies.ca

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The new Navien NPE condensing series is so advanced retrofits have finally become simple. Now the existing 1/2" gas line can be used and in many cases our 2" ULC S636 PVC venting can be run through the existing chase. All of which allow for a tankless installation in about the same amount of time and cost as a traditional tank install. Simple retrofit, exclusive ComfortFlow™ technology, ultra high condensing efficiency and now field gas convertibility all combine to make the new NPE series easily the best choice in tankless! Learn more at TanklessMadeSimple.com

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10.12

Profile Building relationships, with John Hammill

John Hammill likes people, fishing and giving back – but not necessarily in that order. Hammill, the vice-president of wholesale sales with Moen Canada, joined Moen’s retail side in 1994, but transferred to the company’s wholesale division in 2000, a history that provides him a unique perspective of the plumbing industry in

Q A

What do you enjoy about this industry? People. My wife and I have made a lot of very good friends as a result of the CIPH annual business conference over the years.

What’s the most interesting development you’ve seen in your time in the plumbing sector?

The breadth and depth of product. Years ago you’d have a couple of dozen different SKUs, whereas today it’s 2500-plus. And selling cycles have shortened, so what’s coming on the shelf is on for a much tighter period of time.

Q A

What kind of faucet do you have in your kitchen? I have an Arbor, one of our kitchen decks, but that might change soon because we are introducing a new faucet called MotionSense, which is an electronic faucet, a no-touch kitchen faucet that is really unique, in the Arbor styling.

FAST FACTS 1. When he was young, he had an American Kestrel – the smallest falcon in North America. 2. John introduced a sales training program at Moen that is based on a book by John G. Miller called QBQ! The program emphasises personal responsibility and using the tools and skills of the individual to satisfy customers. 3. He loves to fly fish. “There is nothing that is more relaxing than fly fishing,” he says. “I caught my first brown trout on the Bow River in Calgary.”

M e c h a n i c a l

Q A

Canada. “The wholesale business is a relationship business. It has been that way for quite some time, and it is still that way,” he says. “It is part of what makes it great.” As the recently elected chair of CIPH, his upcoming year in office will see him expand those relationships, and others, as he adeptly balances corporate and association duties.

Tell us about your mentors. Early it was my dad. He ran a manufacturing facility and he had about 700 people working for him. He was also part of city council on numerous committees. He really set an example of work ethic. He did a lot of stuff that he wasn’t paid for. I think it was some of the example that was set. I think it is good to give back, and it is the right thing to do.

how to move forward with it. 3. Something that is very important to us is to standardize codes and standards amongst the provinces, and to work with the U.S. to standardize for North America. It would help everyone in our industry.

As the new CIPH chair, what’s on your to-do list? 1. We’ve got to get younger people into our industry. Not only do we need younger people in our industry, but we need involvement of younger people in our association. 2. We as an industry have to look at the impact of the internet, social media and online buying and we have to be able to help our association members understand what it is, understand what it does, and offer some solutions on

BIO Name: John Hammill Title: Vice-president, Wholesale Sales Company: Moen Canada Location: Oakville, Ont. Age: 54 Born and resides in: Guelph, Ont. Education: University of Guelph (B.A.) Hobbies: Golf and Fishing Family: Wife, Kim, and children J.P. (22), Connor (20) and Alexandra (18)

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Heating Report

Evolving equipment and revising sales tactics ncreased efficiency has long been a selling point for gas furnaces, but as Warren Heeley, president of HRAI, points out, we may soon reach a point where additional efficiencies aren’t possible. “We’re pushing the efficiency levels to probably as high as they can get,” he explains.

B y Jeb R o b e rts

versus 95, the margin of difference starts to become so negligible that it doesn’t justify the added cost,” he says. Instead, Heeley points to a focus on “green” as a selling tool. “It’s become more of a conscience situation for homeowners who want to get a furnace with the highest possible efficiency versus selling it to them on the basis of the return.” Also changing the sales landscape is the reduced availability of rebates in the post-ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes era. “Our industry is starting to stabilize now that the programs have run their course,” says David Morden, president and CEO of Morden National Sales. “Now that we’re two years out of the program, we’re coming out of the valley, and we’re getting back into some traditional ‘good, better, best’ selling tactics.”

Changes on the boiler front

Bill Harris, vice-president of sales at Napoleon Heating and Cooling, points to new paths manufacturers are taking to continually increase efficiency. “Engineers are now reducing the amount of electrical consumption of these appliances to save money for customers,” he says. But despite these incremental increases, Heeley suggests that at this point, small advances in efficiency won’t necessarily bolster sales efforts. “For the consumer looking at a unit with efficiencies of 93

As of this past September, all new boilers manufactured in Canada must now be equipped with the capability to evaluate inferred loads. “Now when a homeowner turns up their thermostat, the control will look at the temperature inside the boiler and determine whether to turn on based on how much heat is actually needed,” explains John Goshulak,

Single-stage gas furnace

Wall-mounted boiler

Tankless-powered air handler

KeepRite’s Performance Series PS95 is a single-stage gas furnace available in nine models with heating inputs ranging from 40,000 to 140,000 BTUH, including highairflow 80,000 and 100,000 BTUH models available for fiveton cooling applications. The unit achieves efficiencies of up to 95.5% AFUE and is dual-certified for one- or two-pipe installation.

With an efficiency of 95.2% AFUE, the Vitodens 100-W wallmounted condensing boiler comes in two models with heating capacities ranging from 34,000 to 108,000 BTUH. The unit features a stainless steel heat exchanger and fully modulating cylinder burner, and offers multiple venting options. An optional CombiPlus kit can generate up to 3.6 gpm of on-demand hot water.

Rheem’s RHWB hydronic air handler offers nominal heating capacities of 32,000 to 90,000 BTUH and features a low-profile style and a variablespeed ECM motor. The unit is designed to be combined with the company’s tankless water heater as part of an integrated HVAC and waterheating system.

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viessmann.ca

rheem.com

• Cha ng e s o n t h e b o i l e r f r o n t • Ide nti f y i n g p a t h s t o g r o w t h vice-president of sales and marketing for Weil-McLain Canada. “If there’s enough heat, the control will turn on a pump and move the water into the house to see if that’s enough to satisfy the thermostat.” Goshulak adds that this new regulation may pose a difficulty for some installers. “The government didn’t mandate one particular method of accomplishing this,” he explains. “So every manufacturer will have a different way of doing it.” Another change on the hydronic horizon, says Jason Corey, Eastern Canada sales manager at Noritz, is a move away from non-condensing boilers. “The current CSA P9 allows for both condensing and non-condensing boilers, but starting in 2015, boilers for new-home construction will have to be condensing,” he explains.

Identifying paths to growth Whereas many areas of the heating industry have experienced slower growth because of reduced incentives, the Canadian heat pump market continues to expand. “Based on forecasts for 2012 to 2015, we’re expecting a minimum growth of 15 per cent per year,” says Norm Mierkalns, national sales and marketing manager of HVAC for Mitsubishi. “Part of this is because manufacturers are leaning towards discontinuing cooling-only systems and focusing on split systems used for both heating and cooling,” he explains.

Geothermal adjusting to new regulations The geothermal industry is carefully watching the fallout after the Ontario government imposed new drilling regulations in May, following an incident when a borehole came into contact with a natural gas deposit in Oakville, Ont. “The regulation had many impacts on the industry,” says Denis Tanguay, president and CEO of the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition. “In the short term, vertical borehole drilling was essentially stopped for weeks.” Drillers now have to file for an environmental compliance approval before they drill, but Tanguay fears that this new requirement will be damaging in the long term. Despite those setbacks, which are currently limited to Ontario, the geothermal heating industry is forging ahead. “New variable-speed systems offer advantages for the high-end customer who really wants to have the most efficient system,” says Mike Riddler, support services manager at Eden Energy.

continued on page 28

Variable-speed geothermal heat pump The ClimateMaster Trilogy 40 geothermal heat pump uses variablespeed technology to match loads to as low as 30 per cent of maximum. The unit has a heating capacity of 24,000 BTUH and an efficiency range of 3.6 to 5 COP. It is designed to heat water on-demand year-round, even when space heating isn’t needed. The series also comes equipped with controls that monitor system operation for optimum performance.

climatemaster.com

Mini-split heat pump

The 9RLS2 split-system heat pump from Fujitsu offers an HSPF rating of 12.5 and 27.2 SEER, with a heating capacity of 12,000 BTUH. The unit’s heating mode operates with outdoor ambient temperatures down to -5˚F (-20˚C) producing 75 per cent or more of the system’s rated capacity and 100 per cent of heating capacity down to 20°F (-7˚C).

fujitsugeneral.com

Wall-mounted boilers Available in wallmounted units with a fire tube design, Lochinvar’s Knight boiler is available in seven models with inputs ranging from 55,000 to 399,000 BTUH. The units offer up to 99 percent thermal efficiency, low-NOx emissions and fully modulating burners. A built-in cascading sequencer allows up to eight units to be installed, delivering up to 3.2 million BTUH.

lochinvar.com

2012

Heating Report

co n t in u ed fr o m p age 27

Low-emission boiler Fulton's Caliber boiler is a fully condensing hydronic boiler featuring heating input capacities of 300,000 to 850,000 BTUH and efficiencies of up to 88% EER. The unit comes equipped with a stainless-steel heat exchanger, colour touchscreen, and modulation with 5:1 turndown.

fulton.com

Mierkalns also suggests that increased efficiencies for colder Canadian climates and increased knowledge on the part of contractors are contributing to the growth. Over in the solar thermal sector, technology is also reaching a peak in its efficiency, explains Rob Waters, Viessmann’s solar product manager. “The flat plate and vacuum tube collectors really can’t get much more efficient than they are now,” he says. “So a lot of equipment suppliers are looking at how to make systems more affordable for people.” One of these tactics will be to offer packaged residential solar thermal systems. continued on page 30

We’re Here For You At NextEnergy, we hold all our geothermal contractors to a high standard of quality and professionalism. We are very diligent when selecting contractors to represent our company in the ﬁeld. We know that our success is tied to that of our dealer network and that is why, we are here for you. The success of a geothermal installation relies entirely on quality equipment and system components installed by an experienced contractor. Our equipment is from ClimateMaster, the world’s largest and most progressive manufacturer of geothermal heat pumps. Our highly experienced contractors continually perform tremendous work, we are proud to say it. We strive to provide our dealers with the most up-to-date training, products, sales and marketing support in the industry. Its what we do best.

To join our team visit www.nextenergy.ca or call 1-800-367-9810 28

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2012

Heating Report

c on t in u ed fr o m p age 28

Growth in the infrared heating market continues through the testing and discovery of novel applications. “We’re seeing more of a move towards permanent installations on patios,” says Kevin Merritt, president of Superior Radiant Products. “We’re

Compact geothermal heat pump Available in 0.75- to 6-ton capacities in horizontal or vertical configurations, Waterfurnace’s Envision2 compact geothermal heat pumps offer heating capacities ranging from 7,800 to 81,800 BTUH with efficiencies up to 30 EER. The unit’s coaxial heat exchangers have a copper inner tube and steel outer tube to maximize heat transfer, and the cabinet is constructed of heavy-gauge galvanized steel for corrosion resistance.

waterfurnace.com

also seeing the patio concept move more into the home market, as people shift toward a ‘backyard AHRI is developing an efficiency standard for infrared heaters in the oasis’ concept.” Scott Aniol of Brant U.S. marketplace. No plans have Radiant Heaters points to yet been announced for a Canadian another emerging application. “One standard at this time. new use we’re seeing for infrared tube heaters is in toll booths,” he says. “With infrared, they can throw the heat onto the pavement to keep it from icing. That way they don’t have to run the salters and ploughs through the lanes.”

Great on gas.

Now N ow ffeaturing ea t u r i n g the the AquaSmart Wireless A q u a S ma r t W i r el es s TTemperature emp er a t u r e Module M odul e

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Our New Communicating Systems Want To Tell You How Great They Are.

New KeepRite® Observer™ communicating system products team up perfectly with our Observer communicating wall control to create complete home comfort systems that are easy to sell and install.

Self-configuring system, text-based diagnostics capabilities with Observer wall control Up to 19 SEER from two-stage heat pump and air conditioning models Up to 98% AFUE heating from variable-speed, modulating gas furnace Full KeepRite product line covers practically every need

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TODAY’S BATHROOMS SHOW STYLE AND SUBSTANCE

B y D e ni se De v e a u

hether customers are looking for a fully kitted out spa experience, or a Munchkin-sized powder room, bathrooms continue to be a major source of business for contractors. Despite the economic ups and downs, it seems that homeowners are still willing to invest cash into dressing up their private spaces.

With the changes in the economy and the focus on energy and water conservation, trends have changed. Body spray shower systems are waning, multi-function shower systems are in. Low-flow faucets and toilets are a mainstay. Chrome is making a comeback. And accessible tub systems and hardware are increasingly in demand as a growing number of seniors look to stay at home. We talked to plumbing suppliers to get their thoughts on what’s keeping the bathroom biz going strong. Here are a few of the key trends that they say consumers are buying into.

STAND FREE Perhaps the biggest shift on the bathtub front is the move to freestanding models with freestanding faucets. “There’s been a huge reduction in drop-in tubs and corner tubs have all but disappeared,” Alan Bloch of Taps notes. “Whirlpool systems have also fallen off. Not long ago it was 90/10 in favour of systems. Today it’s 50/50.” While the bathtub is taking centre stage, literally, it’s also shrinking in size, he notes. “We used to see a lot of six-foot tubs. Now it’s more five-and-ahalf-foot for en suite applications. Scaling down the size of the tub allows for a larger shower stall.”

SHOWER POWER He notes that there has been a significant decline in the use of body sprays. “At the same time we’re seeing a huge upside in sy stems that combine a hand shower on a slide bar with some sor t of rainhead fixture.”

Moen

“One of the biggest changes I’ve seen is that the shower is playing a much more prominent role than tub systems,” says Alan Bloch, showroom manager for Taps in Toronto. “There’s been a lot more focus on the shower stall.”

As people look for more bang for their buck, the availability of lower-priced shower packages has meant a huge influx for business, he says. “These systems used to be $1,500 to $2,000. Now they’re starting at $550.” Despite the economizing, indulgence hasn’t gone away, says Stephanie Willan, showroom supervisor for The Water Closet Showroom in Kitchener, Ont. “People still want to pamper themselves. Steam generators for showers are becoming a popular choice for healthDelta conscious homeowners. They cleanse you from the inside out and r emove toxins. Anyone who suffers from allergies or other respiratory problems can breathe much easier and it’s amazing for your skin.”

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American Standard

PLUMBING

SOMETIMES YOUR HANDS COULD USE A HAND.

Touch it on. Or go hands-free.

ADDISON® B AT H C O L L E C T I O N

TOUCH TECHNOLOGY

HANDS-FREE TECHNOLOGY

Touch2O.xt™ Technology for the bath. A simple touch anywhere on the spout or handle turns the water on and off. For an even cleaner experience, when your hand moves close to the faucet, Touch2O.xt Technology intuitively activates the ﬂow of water. On display exclusively at trade locations. Another way that Delta is more than just a faucet. For more information, visit deltafaucet.ca/touchbath

PLUMBING

continues from page 32

BRIGHT SHINY OBJECTS Rubbed brass and brushed nickel are losing ground to the tried and true chrome finish for the most part. Now it’s all about clean lines with a sparkle.

Even the powder room is seeing changes. Pedestal sinks are making way for small furniture-style vanity pieces with storage attached, and floating, or wall-mounted, toilets are gaining favour – because they save space and keep cleaning simple, say Bloch. “There are now carrier systems that fit a conventional two-by-four framed wall, rather than needing a two-by-six wall.” Wall-mount is definitely gaining ground, notes Matt Robinson, manager of business development for B.A. Robinson Co. Ltd. in Winnipeg. “Toilets are no longer an eyesore. Even though wall-mounts come at a higher price point, people are willing to pay for the design and ease of cleaning.” While the job may seem more complex because the mechanics are behind the wall, Robinson says, “It’s not all that difficult once you’ve done it a few times. Ultimately it’s a better look.” Wall hung vanities can also be pretty slick, he adds.

“Put a white sink and chrome fixtures with a dark grey quartz counter, and you have a spectacular look,” Willan says. “White with greys and chrome – that’s what’s in.” Lav faucets are also going the simpler route with a dramatic increase in demand for lowercost single lever versus widespread taps, Bloch notes. “European designs have really caught on especially. There’s a huge variety of lower priced styles and shapes that are helping people in this challenged economy.”

Agincourt Cambridge

Etobicoke Goderich

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Guelph Hanover B u s i n e s s

Kohler

Delta

TOILET FLOTATION DEVICES

continues on page 36 Geberit

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London North York

Oshawa Orillia

Owen Sound Peterborough

Rexdale Woodstock

“I can’t take a leak.” “That’s why I only use Dahl valves.” Nothing makes my blood boil like going back on a job to replace a leaky valve that’s caused water damage. I just can’t stand it, and now I don’t have to because I’m using Dahl valves, covered by a 25-year warranty. With Dahl on our trucks, I sleep better at night. Interested? E-mail us at sales@dahlvalve.com. Or visit us at www.dahlvalve.com

Made in Canada. Really.

PLUMBING

Perfect Flows. Perfect Crimps. Every Time

continues from page 34

HOW LOW CAN YOU FLOW? Not surprisingly, dual flush low-flow toilets are pretty much table stakes in any bathroom. Comfort height models are also more prevalent. “That isn’t just for seniors or disabled. These models are more comfortable for adults generally,” Willan says. Other features of note include self-close toilet seats.

Perfect Flow EqualFlow’s unique tapered design equalizes water pressure at each outlet. Supplied brackets allow for vertical or horizontal installs.

“And bidet toilet seats are also becoming popular, because they can be so easily tied in with existing plumbing,” she says.

Perfect Crimps

American Standard

AccuCrimp’s patentpending ‘ledge’ design holds ring in perfect crimp-ready position every time.

SQUARING OFF As far as shapes go, rectangular is by far the most popular choice for bathtubs, sinks and even fixtures. “The clean lines really project a Zen feel,” Willan notes.

Tough-As-Nails Made of structural Engineered Plastic (EP) and designed for hot and cold residential PEX potable water piping systems.

Robinson adds that square design faucets from some of the European brands are getting a lot of attention.

ANSI / NSF61-2008 ANNEX G Certified by NSF

Grohe

A LITTLE HELP FROM YOUR FIXTURES As the population ages, perhaps one of the biggest changes is the demand for accessibility options. “That’s become a significant focus in our showrooms,” Bloch says.

Patent Pending

Ask your wholesaler for the complete line off Eq EqualFlow ualFlow manifolds and A AccuCrimp ccuCrimp ffittings. ittings.

Waterline Products Co. Limited Mississauga, ON L4Z 1S6 Canada tel: 905.625.9440 fax: 905.625.9481 toll free: 1.800.361.3773 www.waterlineproducts.com email: sales@waterlineproducts.com 36

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The Taps store has renovated an entire section to accommodate such products as walk-in baths, reclining tubs, flush-mounted shower bases, comfort-height toilets and custom glass surrounds with wider doors. Decorative folding benches are a popular draw as well. Meditub

“As the baby boomer market ages, there’s a huge opportunity with affluent customers who choose to stay in their homes,” Bloch says. “There’s a continually increasing focus on decorative ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act]-compliant products that do not look institutional. Manufacturers are putting significant focus on developing products with very clean, modern lines.” Willan confirms that seniors having problems getting in and out of tubs are accounting for a big lift in sales for walk-in tubs with jet and air systems. “These are not cheap items but they are worth every penny spent because it enhances their lifestyle.” 1 0 . 1 2

FOR COMMERCIAL PROJECTS THE SOLUTION IS SYMMONS

From hotels to hospitals, from schools to stadiums, Symmons products have been trusted by professionals for 70 years.

PLUMBING Moen’s commercial Slide Bar Grab Bar System includes the brand’s chrome hand shower, stainless-steel grab bar in 61 or 91 cm lengths, and a 175 cm metal hose. Available flow rates include 5.7 or 9.5 litres per minute, and the system can support up to 226.8 kg.

www. moen.ca

Chicago Faucets’ HyTronic Curve sensor-operated faucet features above-the-deck electronics, hermetic sealing to prevent moisture damage, and a shielded infrared sensor that can be switched from dual-beam to single-beam activation in high-interference environments. The faucet can be powered by an AC adapter, six-volt lithium battery, or the brand’s Self Sustaining Power System, which uses water flow to generate electricity.

GE’s GeoSpring Hybrid Electric Water Heater combines heat-pump technology with a conventional electronic heating system to reduce energy consumption by absorbing heat in ambient air and transferring it to the water. The 50-gallon unit, which has an efficiency rating of 2.4 EF, has the same footprint and electrical connections, and provides the same amount of hot water, as a standard 50-gallon electric water heater.

www. geappliances.ca

www. chicagofaucets.com

Designed to increase water jet performance, General Pipe Cleaners’ high performance nozzles use patented fluid mechanics to increase thrust, pulling power and cleaning power without relying on increased water flow or pressure. They can be used with the company’s Typhoon trailer jet and other high-water-flow gas jets.

www.

www. victaulic.com

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The VicFlex Style AB1 bracket is designed to eliminate the need to handle or cut holes in ceiling tiles. The bracket, which can be used with Series AAQB braided systems for suspended or hard commercial ceilings, is available in 24” and 48” lengths.

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NEW HIGHER PERFORMANCE 1/2 hp 10SN 4/10 hp 9SN 75 gpm @ 10 ft 95 gpm @ 10 ft 25 ft shut-off 20 ft shut-off

ENERGY EFFICIENT Lower amp draw and power consumption.

PSC MOTOR EPOXY COATED Little Giant products have provided the industry with durable epoxy coated cast iron motor housings for more than 40 years.

Permanent Split Capacitor (PSC) motor built for continuous duty and runs cooler for longer life.

The new Little Giant 9SN and 10SN efďŹ&#x201A;uent/sewage pumps are backed by a proven brand and trusted by professionals. For more information on Little Giant products, contact your local plumbing distributor.

www.franklin-electric.com/lg

REFRIGERATION

B y P h il B o u d r eau

Regulating boiling points VERSUS and pressure settings RECIPROCATING he typical refrigeration system as we know it is essentially

a refrigerant recirculating circuit that contains components that manipulate the boiling point of the refrigerant. Regulators are used to adjust this boiling point, as well as to establish a minimum or maximum pressure setting. Generally speaking, refrigerant pressure regulators can be used to control upstream pressure, downstream pressure or differential pressure. These regulators may be mechanical or electronic, and may be direct-acting or pilot-operated. Pilot-operated regulators generally require higher pressure differences across them in order for them to work correctly. This must be considered when designing the system. If lower pressure drops are important, then either direct-acting or even electronic regulators may be considered. Some regulators are fixed in terms of their functionality while others are convertible. Here are a few details about some of the regulators commonly found in systems.

THE CPR VALVE The acronym CPR stands for crankcase pressure regulator. This is installed upstream of the compressor suction inlet and serves to prevent a compressor from experiencing a motor overload. The CPR valve senses the pressure at the outlet and will close on a rise of outlet pressure. Without protection, motor overload can occur during the pulldown cycle or during â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and just after â&#x20AC;&#x201C; defrost in some systems. When setting the CPR valve, the compressor operating envelope should be reviewed. Care must be exercised to ensure that the compressor does not overheat due to excessive superheats while a CPR valve is throttling. This can occur in process fluid cooling systems where the initial fluid temperature is quite high. CPR valves are not usually used in conjunction with pressure-limiting type metering devices since they both serve a similar purpose and may even conflict with each other. One disadvantage of using a pressure-limiting metering device over a CPR is that the maximum pressure is usually not adjustable unless you are using an electronic type of valve. On the other hand, CPR valves contribute to pressure drop. Pressure drop in the suction line is more of a concern than in the discharge line, especially in lower temperature systems. In the case of two-stage compressors, a CPR valve is sometimes applied in order to prevent not only motor overload, but also excessive mass flow rates in the high stage that may prove damaging to reed valves.

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Phil J. Boudreau, is the Ontario sales manager for Bitzer Canada Inc. and also provides training and technical support for Bitzerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clientele. He can be contacted at pboudreau@bitzer.ca.

THE EPR VALVE The evaporator pressure regulator (EPR) is installed downstream of the evaporator. EPR valves are sometimes incorporated into system designs with the intention of ensuring that the evaporating pressure does drop below a predefined pressure. For example, EPR valves have been applied to chillers to prevent them from freezing up. They can also be installed to prevent refrigerated product from being dried out. The EPR valve tends to close on a drop in evaporator pressure. continued on page 42

even exchange

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REFRIGERATION

continued from page 40

In supermarket systems, EPR valves are commonplace due to the fact that parallel compressor systems operate at common suction pressures. These EPR valves may even offer a suction stop feature which enables the suction line from the evaporator to be isolated from compressor suction in order to accommodate reverse-cycle hot gas defrost. In the case of parallel rack systems, the compressors are sized such that they provide the required capacity at the pressure that is equal to the coldest evaporator temperature less a couple of degrees, to allow for any suction line pressure drop. The circuit containing the lowest temperature evaporator(s) may or may not have an EPR installed, depending on the system design.

THE HGB VALVE On systems that experience low load, hot gas bypass (HGB) valves are sometimes used as a low cost but less efficient option. By applying this type of valve, a minimum evaporating pressure is established. This is another way of preventing evaporator freezeup, product freezing and/or product drying. One of the advantages of using this method is the ease of ensuring oil return to the compressor(s). Since the evaporating pressure and suction pressure cannot drop below a predefined pressure, the oil remains less viscous. Also, a higher suction line velocity can be maintained.

For all higher temperature circuits, an EPR is installed and the pressure is set to achieve a sufficiently high pressure. Evaporators may be grouped, if necessary, as long as their design evaporating temperatures are the same. Similar to CPR valves, it is always important to consider the effects that the EPR will have on return gas temperature. By holding the pressure at a higher level than the compressors saturated suction temperature there is a chance that the compressor motor could be overheated, especially on single-circuit systems that employ one evaporator and one compressor. This becomes even more critical in systems that operate for long periods of time at low load.

REGULATORS AND

HIGH-SIDE PRESSURE Receiver pressure regulators and minimum condenser pressure regulators often complement each other in system designs. In systems that take advantage of flooding of the condenser during cooler ambient temperatures, a pressure regulator is often used at the outlet of the aircooled condenser. This valve tends to close on a decrease in condenser pressure at the valveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inlet. Although lower condenser pressures tend to contribute to higher system efficiencies, there are important limitations that must be observed. From the compressorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective, the minimum discharge pressure must be considered. At low condensing pressures, especially where high evaporating pressures are present, the resulting low compression ratio leads to very high mass flows, which can be damaging to components within the compressor. Another concern related to low condensing pressure is the lack of pressure drop across the metering device at the evaporator inlet. Metering devices require a minimum pressure drop in order to provide the rated capacity. Insufficient pressure drop will tend to starve the evaporator.

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In flooded condenser systems, the act of establishing a minimum condensing pressure is not sufficient alone. The action of the condenser regulator does not ensure that there will be enough pressure at the metering device. This is where the liquid receiver pressure regulating valve comes into play. This regulator is installed in a condenser bypass line that travels from the outlet of the compressor to the inlet to the receiver. As the receiver pressure drops below the set point, hot gas from the discharge line enters the receiver to increase the pressure. This receiver regulator opens on a decrease in outlet pressure. The condenser regulator and receiver regulators are adjusted in such a way that enables them to work together to promote good high side flow, year round. An alternative to the liquid drain method is the discharge method of high side pressure control. With this method, a discharge regulator is installed just downstream of the compressors discharge service valve. This regulator can be used in systems where it is important to achieve and maintain a minimum discharge pressure.

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HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC

ith recent changes to the CSA F280 Standard – Determining the Required Capacity of Residential Space Heating and Cooling Appliances, we are going to see the use of smaller furnaces and air conditioners in homes, and the rethinking of appliance sizing should also lead to a rethink of duct sizing as well.

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

RETHINKING

duct design practices Modern systems; modern challenges Systems have changed, technology has changed, and consumer expectations have changed, all of which add up to challenges for HVAC technicians. Here are a few of the issues that make perfect comfort an elusive target: • The need to size the system for both peak heating and peak cooling loads results in oversized ductwork, for at least part of the year, for many spaces;

The new metrics will take some getting used to, especially when it comes to applying load capacity data to the sizing and layout of a forced air distribution system in new homes, but F280 is not only for new homes. There will also be some interesting opportunities to assess and potentially modify duct work when replacing furnaces and air conditioners in existing buildings. There are a number of things a technician can do in the field to assess and optimize systems, including duct sealing, checking pressures, and possibly even rethinking the duct layouts.

Playing with assumptions Be reminded that duct designs, even those done by professional, well-trained duct designers, are based on a number of assumptions, like minimal duct leakage, proper installation, and proper access to effective balancing dampers in each branch line, and minimal temperature loss between the appliance and each register.

• Higher expectations of consumers – our customers expect pinpoint control of comfort because advanced thermostats show a digital readout of temperature and humidity rather than the old wavering needle;

One of the best things that can be done for any duct system is to seal anything and everything you can, both in new construction and in retrofit. The leakiest fittings are usually the top and side take-offs from the main plenums, and the plenum fittings themselves. In a retrofit, it is often still possible to get at many of these.

• More complicated design of buildings with far too many windows and the absence of interior walls forcing long routes for every upper floor duct.

If air sealing ducts doesn’t become part of your standard scopes of work in the next three years, you are doing a disser vice to the industr y. All duct designs, but specifically equal friction methods that rely on significant adjustment of dampers, are really difficult to give the kind of control homeowners want unless ducts are sealed.

• Ever lighter-gauge ductwork is being used to save money, but this inevitably leads to more duct leakage as it bends and distorts;

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Add those uncertainties to other variables and deviations, such as the standardization of duct components, fittings and diffusers, and it is not surprising that some designers and installers have come to use a one-size-fits-all approach.

• Pl ay i n g w i t h a s s u m pt io n s • S izin g wit h eq u al fr ict io n Beyond sealing, the system needs to be oper ating at design pressures. In a new system, measure the pressure off the top of the appliance and compare it to the original supply duct design pressure. In existing houses, compare the pressure to typical industry standards of 0.2 to 0.4” w.c. In a retrofit, if you do this on the existing system, before any changes are made, nine times out of 10 you will find the actual pressure is far less than the design or industry standard. This can be an indication of being too conservative in the design and sizing of the duct system – and the need to think about downsizing on future jobs.

In the vast majority of houses in Canada, duct systems are designed, at least in theory, using the equal friction method. Even if simple rules of thumb are used to layout and size ductwork, the basis for those rules comes from duct design manuals and tables developed from the equal friction method. The method starts by assigning or “guessing” at a constant pressure per unit length of ductwork – hence the name equal friction. The designer then calculates the airflow requirements to each room using the calculated peak heat loss and gain for the room, and the expected temperature difference created across the heating or cooling device. The airflows of individual rooms are added together to determine the total flow required for the system. Using industry tables or duct calculators, the required total airflow and the selected “equal friction,” the duct sizes for the main duct and each section of the longest – or most restrictive – branch runs are determined. The pressure required for the longest run becomes the pressure required by the fan system in the air handler.

If the pressure is lower than the design, or lower For example, a very common equal friction than needed to force air out to the longest r un, chosen in residential and small commercial start dampening down the shor test runs and watch systems is a pressure of 25 Pascal (0.1” to see the pressure change . As it approaches the water column) per 100 feet of duct. design pressure star t measuring the airflow across If the longest or most restrictive run has an the appliance and also at the registers in the equivalent length of duct of 300 feet, then longest run. Compare these to the design the pressure required in the system to requirements. This will be an indication of just ho w deliver the required airflow to the longest successful you will be at solving run is 75 Pa or 0.3” W.C. This is comfort concerns in often referred to as the specific rooms in root or index pressure both new and for the system. The equivalent length of duct is determined by retrofit Designers work the actual length along the physical duct run, plus would ensure without the “length” of each fitting – elbow, tee, transition that the having to furnace or air and register – as found in industry duct design conditioner make major charts and tables for standard fittings. chosen would be duct changes. It may help to think beyond simply making ducts smaller. Laying out ductwork in new builds to make the system “zoning ready” is a great place to star t. With ECM fan motor technology in furnaces, it is quite easy to design a duct system that would accommodate two or three zone dampers without having to oversize return or supply plenums.

capable of delivering the required total air flow at this longest-run pressure. The size of duct for each of the shorter runs in the system is determined again using the required air flow for each run and the root pressure. It means that, in theory, the duct size for all other branches will be smaller than the ducts in the longest run. Since ducts only come in specific incremental sizes, and installers don’t want to carry too many different sizes and associated fittings, dampers are used to adjust the pressure in all the runs except the longest run.

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HYDRONICS

B y C ar o l Fey Carol Fey is a technical trainer who has worked as a heating mechanic in Antarctica and has published six books for the HVAC/R industry. She can be reached at carol@carolfey.com, or visit her website, www.carolfey.com.

NEW BOILER

LEGISLATION NOW IN EFFECT

s of September 1, national legislation went into effect requiring that all new boilers have energy saving controls. The purpose, of course, is to reduce energy usage. Fortunately, with these controls a boiler can indeed use less energy and still deliver the same amount of comfort to the customer. This is excellent news for those watching their energy expenditures, but it can also be a source of confusion. For one thing, with energy-saving controls a boiler behaves differently. The burner may or may not run upon a call for heat. The boiler likely will not maintain water temperature at the installer’s preferred set point. And certainly, the terminology associated with the legislation is sometimes baffling and redundant. Despite the fact that new legislation is going into effect, not much is really changing. Manufacturers have been including energy-saving technology on boilers for many years. And, no, you don’t have to go and retrofit anything. The most important difference is that it is now required for the installer to enable the controls rather than ignore them. This is good for the homeowner’s pocketbook, and takes nothing away from their heating comfort. As an industry, the best thing we can do is learn how the technologies work, and to optimize their use. And don’t forget that there’s a tremendous opportunity to increase business by selling optional energysaving outdoor reset retrofit controls for existing boilers.

THE CHANGES, IN BRIEF • No standing pilots in new boilers – this actually went into effect in 2010.

• With gas, oil and electric modulating hot

OUTDOOR RESET, AND MORE

water boilers, there must be an automatic means for adjusting water temperature based on the demand for heat. This “automatic means” must decrease boiler water temperature when the load (need for heat) decreases. And it must increase the water temperature when the load increases.

• The most prevalent technology for automatically adjusting water temperature based upon load is outdoor reset. When the temperature outdoors is warmer, boiler water temperature is decreased accordingly. When the outdoor temperature is colder, the water temperature is increased. When the temperature outdoors reaches 21° C, the boiler shuts down. The outdoor temperature information is gathered by a simple outdoor temperature sensor. An alternate method that can be used to achieve the same effect as outdoor reset is with software, rather than with an outdoor temperature sensor. This option is called inferential load or inferred load. For example, if calls for heat are frequent and long, it must mean that the temperature is cold outside, and the boiler temperature needs to be increased. Several manufacturers use this software continues on page 48

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HYDRONICS

continued continued from from page page 46 46

to predict the optimum boiler temperature set point. An advantage with this option is that it is not necessary to run wire, which is a reality with an outdoor temperature sensor. Non-modulating (also called single input rate) boilers may meet requirements using the above technologies, or they may use another option called thermal purge. Thermal purge means that instead of changing water temperature based on demand, the system uses the residual heat in the system to satisfy a call for heat before allowing the burner to come on. Upon a call for heat, the circulator comes on to move already-heated water. If that does not satisfy the call for heat within a limited amount of time, only then does the burner comes on. The point here is that, especially in mild weather, a call for heat can be satisfied with residual heat alone, without the burner coming on. Manufacturers are free to develop other ways to delay the operation of the burner, so long as a greater calculated residual heat results in a greater delay of the burner. The manufacturer must document how the automatic means identifies the amount of residual heat available, however.

USING WHAT’S ALREADY THERE These control requirements were actually adopted for modulating boilers a number of years ago. Outdoor reset controls already come with pretty much all mod/con boilers. That’s because modulating boilers need low water temperatures in order to condense and reduce energy costs. But installers do not always enable the outdoor reset. With these new rules, new boilers will have to indicate when the outdoor reset is not functioning, and when outdoor temperature sensors are not installed. In some cases, only a minimum boiler temperature will be maintained without the outdoor reset installed. continues on page 50

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HYDRONICS continued from page 48 EXAMINING OUTDOOR RESET

INSTALLER NOTES

Of the various technologies for energy controls, outdoor reset is by far the most prevalent, and is very simple. Think of it as just an aquastat that automatically changes its set point depending upon the temperature outside. The temperatures are a reverse correlation. As the temperature outside goes down, the aquastat set point goes up. This is simply because as it gets colder outside, we need more heat inside; as it

Design temperature is not the coldest temperature that anyone can imagine. It is the coldest normal temperature for the geographical area, and is determined by ASHRAE.

ULC

gets warmer outside, the less heat we need inside. And once summer comes, we don’t need any heat at all and can shut the boiler down. Outdoor reset has been around for a long time in commercial applications. In the early days, the installer had to figure reset ratio using reset curves. Although this is not nearly as complicated as some fear, the important message is that we don’t have to do it anymore. Today’s controls do it automatically. The installer simply enters high and low desired water temperatures, and the outdoor design temperature. Outdoor reset controls are also available for retrofit onto existing boilers. Many are quite simple to install and set up, although they can also get to be as complex as the heating system they are controlling. A challenge for our industry is not to let the most complex control lead us into thinking the technology itself is complicated.

EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULES Energy control technology is not required if: • There is an external energy management system that reduces boiler water temperature. • The boiler is not used for any space heating, for example, with a snowmelt system. • The boiler is part of a modular or multiple boiler system having a total input of 300,000 BTUH or greater. • The boiler has no electric controls. © Copyright 2012 800-835-4429 www.duravent.com

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UP TO

MOTOR LIFE LONGER LIFE

Milwaukee速

Competitor 1

Competitor 2

UP TO

25% MORE POWER MORE POWER

50% MORE RUN-TIME Milwaukee速

Competitor 1

Torque (in-lbs) Milwaukee速

UP TO

MORE RUN-TIME

Power (Watts-Out)

10X LONGER

Competitor 1

Competitor 2

HYDRONIC Wall-mounted boiler Cadetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wall-mounted modulating/condensing heating boiler is available in four models with gas inputs ranging from 40,000 to 120,000 BTUH. The 120,000 BTUH combination unit is equipped with a separate heat exchanger that delivers 3.0 GPM of domestic hot water at a 70-degree temperature rise. The boiler achieves up to 95% AFUE efficiency.

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Heat exchanger control station Designed to separate hydronic zones, the HES-2V Heat Exchanger Control Station from HPS Controls is a prefabricated, compact wall-mounted pre-piped and pre-wired control designed for use with primary/secondary piped hydronic systems. The station, which allows for up to two secondary heating zones, is available with a 20-, 30- or 50-plate heat exchanger and an optional potable mixing valve for domestic water.

www. hpscontrols.com

Balancing valve Bell & Gossetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Circuit Sentry Flo-Setter is a balancing valve designed to maintain a set flow rate within five per cent of settings, regardless of pressure fluctuation in the system. The valve, which offers flow ranges from 0.18 to 45.46 gpm, features a GPM dial that requires no adjustments once the system is set, and a lockable handle with a gallons-per-minute scale. Integral P/T plugs allow verification of required differential pressure.

www. completewatersystems.com

Compact radiator Designed for low-temperature systems including heat pumps and condensing boilers, the Briza radiator from Jaga Climate Systems is available in two- and four-pipe configurations and measures five inches deep. The unit can be installed in a wall or ceiling and requires no ducting. The system, which has a heating range from 6,740 to 29,626 BTUH, comes equipped with a DC, 24V EC motor, and it operates at 30dBa.

www. jaga-canada.com

Condensing gas boiler With heating inputs of 30,000 to 160,000 BTUH and a 93% AFUE efficiency rating, Slant/Fin's VSL-160 condensing gas boiler features a stainless-steel premix burner and heat exchanger. It can be configured for use with natural gas or propane. The boiler can also serve as a combi-unit with a 2.6-gallon expansion tank, circulator, DWH heat exchanger and diverter valve.

www. slantfin.com 52

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Jamie Whitehead, VIP Contractor #333 Cooper Plumbing & Heating Calgary, AB

“KNIGHT does just about anything I want. I use it on all my projects, from single-boiler, single-family homes to big, complicated jobs. We just did a large project in a 1907 Heritage Home…three separate mechanical rooms, 18 zones of heating with fan coils and in-floor heat. It was a real challenge. With the SMART SYSTEM control, we programmed three KNIGHT boilers to handle the load, and they’re doing it perfectly.”

Pros like Jamie Whitehead choose KNIGHT® because it gives your customers the very best in heating comfort, with everything you want from a mod-con boiler. AFUE efficiency of 96% and 98% low-temperature efficiency. A fully modulating burner with 5:1 turndown. Vertical or horizontal direct-venting up to 100 feet. SMART SYSTEM™ is the industry’s most advanced integrated control, with a large LCD display of setup and status information. It provides lead-lag or efficiency-optimized cascade sequencing and up to 3 different setpoint temperatures. For efficiency, application flexibility, advanced technology and reliability, smart professionals choose KNIGHT, a perfect example of Lochinvar Leadership.

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Marketing

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

with DOUG MACMILLAN

Don’t miss on your follow-through

E-mail can be your best marketing tool, if you follow a few rules. ast month, an e-mail arrived from “Jodi.” The subject line promised, “I bet you I can get you a better rate on your shipping :)” — and yes, the smiley face was in there. I opened the message and Jodi was smiling back at me, white teeth gleaming and blond hair shining. Of course, Jodi might actually look like Robert DeNiro in lipstick for all I know. According to Jodi’s brief note, my shipping needs were not being met. We needed, “a small logistics company with a big heart for customer service.”

I opened the e-mail, it’s true. Jodi’s mission was accomplished. After that, it went downhill fast.

opportunity to reply to Jodi to say, “In fact, I am tired of being a number with my carrier.” And of course, it’s worth noting that Jodi ignored Canada’s privacy legislation when it comes to this sort of thing. She made the effort — she just didn’t understand the rules of the game. E-mail marketing has exploded in the past few years as a low-cost alternative to traditional direct mail. This means we’re all getting more junk than we can handle. It takes more than a picture and pressing “send.” To stand out, e-mail marketing needs to be strategic and smart.

My shipping needs consist of a couple of courier packages a month. In my industry, shipping was replaced long ago by … yep, e-mail. So, the email was poorly targeted. There was no promise of tangible value, no call to action, no link to more content — just an

Reaching out, in a good way Here are a few of the questions we’ve been asked by clients embarking on this new frontier:

1 2 3

Should I use e-mail to reach existing customers? Absolutely. E-mail can be a low-cost customer relationship tool. You have a trust relationship, so they’re more apt to welcome your e-mails as long as you provide useful content. You can use it to issue filter change notices or service reminders, to communicate important news, offer exclusive deals, help customers better understand your company, and plenty more.

Should I use e-mail to attract new customers? Yes, but more caution is needed here. In Canada, the rules are clear: You can only e-mail someone with whom you’ve done business in the past two years, or if they’ve “opted in,” asking for your e-mails. You can’t just grab a list and blast it out, Jodi-style. Canadian law also clearly states that you must give people the option to unsubscribe at any time.

• E-mail existing customers with special deals suggesting they forward to friends and family. • At home shows or in sales calls, hold a contest to collect e-mail addresses and permission. • Develop a useful e-News with valuable content that people will want to see, and promote it online, in advertising, etc.

Should I use Outlook or one of those e-mail deployment programs? E-mail deployment programs, such as Constant Contact, Campaign Monitor, MailChimp, and others, offer considerable benefit. For a few pennies per e-mail, they maintain a database on your behalf, using back-up systems that are most likely far more secure than what continued on page 56

How to build a list of prospective customers

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• Collaborate with another business, and arrange to tell each other’s story.

METAL. ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WHAT WE DO. We have 40 years of experience manufacturing sheet metal and venting products for the residential and commercial HVAC market. With a renewed focus in service and product development, we will continue to introduce specialized sheet metal solutions to meet our customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs today and tomorrow.

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with DOUG MACMILLAN

you have. They provide easy-to-use templates that give your content a more professional look. They’re a lot less work than Outlook, and you don’t run the risk of accidentally “cc”ing everyone else beyond your intended list of recipients. Most importantly, they provide essential metrics so you can constantly evaluate your impact.

What’s the best day and time to send e-mails? This warrants the classic fence-sitting response, “It depends.” If most addresses are business addresses, then recent studies suggest deployment around 9 a.m. on Monday, or Thursday. People have cleared through the overnight junk mail and haven’t started receiving the emails of the day yet. However, if more of your recipients are using a home or family e-mail address, a better option is around dinnertime, or early Saturday mornings. This is when most people scan home e-mails.

Be respectful of people’s time. A reader should be able to scan the available content in less than a minute. You can accomplish this with a succinct introductory paragraph of up to 100 words, with a “Read more” link to the full content on your website.

7 8

How many e-mails is too many? If you have relevant, new information or true value to share each week, a weekly eblast could be very valuable. But if people get annoyed, they’ll unsubscribe and it’s very tough to get them back. A good rule of thumb is to e-mail every one to two months, and in the HVAC season it makes sense to schedule these with the shift in season.

Should I integrate social media? Yes. These days, marketing is not a one-way dialogue but a two-way conversation. Most e-mail deployment programs are automated and hitting “reply” gets you nowhere. Invite people to ask questions or share their own experiences by visiting a company blog, Facebook page or Twitter account.

It’s probably worth the effort to try and segment your list into “work” and “home” e-mail addresses, and e-mail each at their peak time. It’s an inexact science, to be sure, but worth the effort if open rates and click rates improve.

A good subject What are open rates and click rates, and what should I expect? Open rates are the percentage of people who open your e-mail, while click rates refer to those who then click through an article to access more content on your website. E-mails should always create a mechanism to drive people to your website where they can learn more, collect a coupon, or request a service call. Your website gives you more opportunity to inform and engage your customer, and the traffic to your site is one of the best ways to improve your SEO, or search engine optimization. What to expect? It’s easy to default to average numbers. A good open rate is around 15 to 20 per cent, and a good click-through rate around 30 to 40 per cent. Keep in mind, however, those numbers might be disappointing for one company; for another amazing. Strive to look more deeply at which subject line, type of content, day and time of deployment, and even such conditions as the weather, that are aligning with improvements in both metrics.

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What content should I include? The list is endless, but there is only one requirement: Make it valuable, soon. Include timely and audience-relevant tips and new ideas, as well as featured content that reinforces your expertise. Make time-limited offers and exclusive discounts.

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The e-mail subject line is y our MVP when it comes t o e-mail. You have just a few words to connect with people, and need to avoid the triggers that sa y “junk mail.” Avoid sales words like “free” or “discount.” Be literal to the content, and succinct. Keep the subject to 40 to 50 characters and put the important stuff first. For example: “Winter is coming. Are you ready? We can help you save 25% on y our heating costs this wint er” is cumbersome, whereas, “Cut costs 25% — read our wint er heating tips,” is more alluring.

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HVAC

B y Jo h n C r o zier John Crozier is a technical service representative with Morden National Sales and Marketing Inc. He can be reached at john.crozier@mordennational.com.

GETTING

CONSUMER-FRIENDLY WITH HVAC ANSWERS

omeowners are not technicians. Short of the obvious no-heat call, or worse, smoke emanating from “the box in the basement,” they don’t tend to come to the party equipped with the knowledge and experience to tell when their heating equipment is truly acting up. But they do have questions. Being prepared for their questions can be beneficial in the field, so here are a few answers that might help when a homeowner corners you for advice about their heating equipment.

1. Will I save money with an ECM blower system? From an operating perspective, the answer is yes. Electronically commutated motor (ECM) equipped blower systems characteristically are more efficient than standard blowers equipped with permanent split capacitor (PSC) motors. The improved efficiency translates to less electrical consumption for the same amount of work, in this case, pushing and pulling air. Questions about payback periods are much more difficult to answer. The apparent value of an ECM blower system will gain as electrical rates increase.

2. Another contractor wants to install a liner in my chimney. The old furnace didn’t have one; why does the new furnace need one? From a manufacturer’s point of view, this is an easy one. We can simply tell the homeowner that the installation code demands it, and the contractor doesn’t really have a choice. We usually go on to explain that the liner is beneficial and having the chimney lined is in the homeowner’s best interest. When we describe the effects of condensation in the chimney, most homeowners can remember seeing chimneys that seemed to be missing mortar between bricks at the top courses. There are some unseen advantages also. A properly-sized chimney liner helps establish a good draft, which is essential for the safe removal of the products of combustion.

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Typical stack temperatures have been reduced somewhat in efforts to obtain higher AFUE ratings, which is another good reason to “right-size” the inside area of the chimney. The chimney liner reduces the number of square feet trying to absorb heat from the flue gases, increasing the likelihood of condensation-free operation under normal operating conditions.

3. My new furnace seems to blow a lot of cold air before it warms up. What’s wrong with it? We hear this question most often when the homeowner’s new furnace is equipped with a modern blower time-based control instead of a thermally-activated control. The cold air is usually just ambient temperature air within the duct. It was there when the ductwork was connected in the old furnace too. Thermally-activated fan controls usually didn’t start the circulating fan until a considerable amount of heat had already accumulated in the furnace and supply air plenum. The elapsed time to purge the ambient air and deliver very warm air was relatively short. Fan/timer control boards are usually programmed to start the circulating fan within 30 seconds of an oil burner cycle. This tends to stretch the amount of time before the very warm air reaches the registers, but it greatly improves furnace operating efficiency. Some fan/timer control boards have provisions for adjusting the “delay to fan on.” Changing the delay from 30 to 60, or possibly 90, seconds will shorten the time it takes for very warm air to replace the ambient duct air, but there is a commensurate efficiency penalty.

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PLUMBING

B y C h r is Th o m p so n

QUALITY CONTROL It is necessary to evaluate the quality of the source water to determine what treatment requirements will be necessary for the reclaimed water. Potential contaminants in the source water will vary depending on the water being collected. Contaminants may include suspended solids, dissolved organics, dissolved ionics (salts), microorganisms and gases. Sources of water can include greywater from domestic bathing and showering, rainwater collected from rooftops and ground surfaces, ground water from an overactive sump pump, and wastewater from other filtration processes, such as reverse osmosis. In commercial and industrial applications, process water may be available to serve some purposes.

THE BENEFITS OF

RECOVERING WATER eusing water is good for the environment and reduces the burden on municipal infrastructure. Reduction in fresh water demand and the load on municipal treatment systems are important benefits. For the property owner, benefits may include a financial payback achieved through the reduction of water and sewer costs, but paybacks can also be measured as the ability to meet other goals as well, such as certification to a green building standard or the ability to obtain approvals in an area with particularly sensitive water issues.

In general, a water recovery system may be a suitable option in any project where there is a large quantity of clear wastewater or rainwater and a large demand for the use of this water, such as toilet flushing or irrigation.

CONSIDER THE USE On the demand side, it is necessary to consider the quantity and frequency of water that will be required for the application, as well as the required quality, pressure and flow requirements for the water. Quantity and frequency will play a large part in determining storage requirements. Quality will affect the filtration and treatment methods selected. And the pressure and flow will determine the pump system requirements to serve the demand. From a quality standpoint, typical measurements include biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity, E. coli, fecal coliforms and total chlorine residual. Emerging standards that regulate the quality of reclaimed water will vary by jurisdiction, but in general they include CSA B.128 in Canada and NSF 41 in the United States.

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A fully-installed solution will consist of filtration, storage, treatment and monitoring components. It will have a control system to manage all of the aspects of filtration and treatment, as well as any water management options, which could include such things as a freshwater make-up system and automated diversion equipment selected to suit the needs of the project. The water recovery system should have the ability to be monitored through a building management system or the internet, and may include sensors for measuring all critical functions, including maximum level, minimum level, water volume and usage meters. Some systems will also have sensors to measure water quality and provide feedback to the filtration and treatment system for more precise control of water quality.

VICTAULIC VICT TAULIC A To evaluate a project for its suitability, there are a number of factors to consider, not the least of which is confirming that there is a source of water available both in quantity and frequency that can meet all or most of the demand for the intended use. These factors will affect the collection methods and storage size for your system as well as the overall feasibility of the project.

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Picking a storage option There are a number of options for storage for commercial projects. Large prefabricated buried tanks in poly, concrete or steel come in many shapes and sizes. Poured in place concrete is also an option for larger projects. Poly tanks can also be installed in the basement if space permits.

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The storage requirements for reclaimed water in many ways determine the overall feasibility of a project. The cost of excavation and piping of a large buried tank, or the space requirements for an above-grade surface tank, need to be justified by the benefits of the system. In a single-family residential greywater project to flush toilets, the available daily shower water is the same or greater than the daily flushing demand, so the storage requirements are simply one day's flushing demand. This is achievable with a small tank in the basement. In a rainwater harvesting project, to meet the same demand, three-weeks-worth of flushing water would be needed to meet the same demand with the same efficiency. This is because it can be up to three weeks between rainfalls. The cost of excavation for the larger tank may be less feasible in this case.

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To match storage and supply to system demand, it is important to document and test assumptions, and to allow the final users to provide feedback for the best results. continued on page 62

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PLUMBING

continued from page 61

RUNNING THE NUMBERS Let’s look at a theoretical residential building with 200 units and 500 residents that are using harvested water to flush the toilets in the building.

Demand 500 people x 7 flushes per day x 6L Toilets = 21,000 litres

Supply Greywater Only

500 people x 70% who shower every day x 7 Lpm shower flow rate x 10 minute shower length = 24,500 litres per day In this case, supply exceeds demand, so one day’s worth of storage would be sufficient. Rainwater Only Assuming that the roof and other suitable surface collection areas allow enough water to be captured to meet the demand, it is necessary to select an acceptable level of efficiency. Since time between rainfalls during the summer can be three weeks, 100 per cent efficiency would require storage of a three-week supply of rainwater, or more than 400,000 litres. Even this amount of storage may not be enough for full efficiency during the winter. Fortunately, long periods without precipitation may only happen a couple times per year, so the effect on water savings is not that great if a shorter supply is used. It might look something like this: 3 week supply = 98% efficiency 2 week supply = 80% efficiency 1 week supply = 70% efficiency Depending on the project, 70 per cent efficiency may be well worth doing, based on total water savings and project costs. In this example, however, it would require nearly 150,000 litres of storage. Tanks providing this much capacity will take a lot of room and will not be inexpensive to install. If a very similar building was used for a different application, these numbers could be very different. For example, if this was a hotel – not a resort where people would be expected to spend full days around their suites – the demand might be calculated based on three or four flushes per day per person. And hotels are not often 100 per cent occupied. With less than half of the demand, only half of the storage would be required to reach full savings. Alternatively, the surplus water available might also be used for another purpose, such as irrigation. If this was a commercial office building, the demand would need to be calculated based on a mix of urinals and toilets, and an assumption of the ratio of male to female employees. Assuming operation during regular business hours, the total flushes per person might be closer to three flushes per day. The demand calculation might look like this:

250 females (3 flushes per day x 6L Toilets) + 250 males (2 flushes per day x 3L urinals + 1 flush per day x 6L toilets) = 4,500 Litres female + 3,000 Litres male = 7,500 Litres per day Of course there would be no shower water available on the supply side, so alternative sources, such as rainwater, hand sinks (not a significant volume) or ground water, would need to be used.

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HVAC

B y Den ise Deveau

IKEA SHOWCASES SUSTAINABILITY

his past spring, IKEA took the wrappers off its latest energy-efficient store concept in Richmond, B.C. It’s all part of an expansion project that will see three new store openings in a 12-month period for the company. And IKEA has vowed that all of these stores will be more efficient than the last store the company built in Canada, which was constructed back in 2004.

According to James Jesney, senior mechanical designer at Sterling Cooper & Associates in Vancouver, while LEED Gold certification wasn’t a requirement, IKEA chose to construct the Richmond facility to generally meet LEED Gold standards anyway. “The choice was to be energy efficient. They made some hard decisions with this project, and showed they were among the most forward thinking retailers out there.”

Photos: Brian Hawkes; Illustration: R.F. Binnie & Associates

SAFETY FIRST

The fire protection system at the IKEA store in Richmond, B.C., has a number of unique elements. The fire pumps are diesel powered, which avoids reliance on an electrical power source, and a dry sprinkler system is used in the parking area, since that provides protection against freezing. In the warehouse, early suppression fast response (ESFR) sprinklers were installed to accommodate the height of the racking system. “Because the sprinkler system was so specialized, there was considerable coordination involved with our HVAC distribution and plumbing,” Jesney says.

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HVAC EFFICIENCY RULES IN RICHMOND When it came to installing the geothermal loop for the Richmond store there were a couple of geological issues to overcome. “The high water tables in Richmond and the sandy, silty soil made the cost of drilling exorbitant,” James Jesney explains. “So instead of drilling wells, we decided to locate the geothermal loop in the structural grade beams, which we used as a heat source/heat sink.” The base HVAC system consists of multiple custom-built rooftop units with hot water and chilled water coils, as well as interior air handlers with four-pipe hot and chilled water coils. “There were some areas, such as the offices, where we could not get to if we used a rooftop unit,” Jesney explains. “So in those cases, we simply located the unit inside the space.” Air is distributed throughout the store via spiral ductwork at high elevations. Diffusers have been specifically designed for high elevation installations. Chilled water is generated by two high COP (coefficient of performance) centrifugal chillers from York, which use variable continued on page 66

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HVAC

continued from page 64

frequency drive pumps to distribute the chilled water to rooftop units, air handlers and fan coils. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The speed and volume of the pumps is reduced as less chilled water is required in the space for cooling, thereby reducing electrical energy consumption,â&#x20AC;? Jesney says. Hot water heating is provided by two high-efficiency condensing gas-fired boilers, and is also distributed via variable frequency drive centrifugal pumps.

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When it came to moving air in the warehouse, simplicity won out over complexity. Getting the right conditioning for the 79,000 sq. ft. space is a must as the structure is not just for storage; customers shop in the self-service furniture selection area of the warehouse, Jesney notes. To help with the conditioning task, the decision was made to use destratification fans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Basically theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re large propeller fans that work in two cycles; to push air down or draw it up,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The fans take hot air from the underside of the roof down and are reversed during the cooling cycle to take cool air from the warehouse and draw it to the ceiling. With this approach thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a significant increase in comfort levels because it equalizes the temperature throughout the space.â&#x20AC;? He estimates that the destratification fans improve HVAC system efficiency by 10 to 15 per cent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;More conventional warehousing would simply use a gas-fired unit heater and destratification fans with no air conditioning. Because this is a self-service furniture warehouse, customers expect air conditioning. By using the fans to mix the air, we actually use less cooling.â&#x20AC;?

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HVAC

continued from page 66

PLUMBING FOR SAVINGS Even in the rainiest of climates, water conservation and reuse is an important feature for any project. The IKEA store is designed so that rainwater is stored on the roof and subsequently saved in a cistern. This reserve is used for greywater applications (flushing toilets and urinals, landscaping). Greywater piping is clearly identified to avoid accidental use as potable water. To save additional water, the washrooms are equipped with low-flow faucets, lowvolume urinals and toilets, and low-flow showerheads. And also on the water front, the company is using solar collectors to supplement the domestic water heating system – a feature that is becoming more common in the lower mainland, Jesney says.

System-wide savings The 225,000 sq. ft., three-level Richmond store features a wealth of features that would make sustainability experts proud, including: • A geothermal installation; • High-efficiency central heating and cooling plants; • A solar equipped navigation tower; • Light occupancy sensors in the office area; • Destratification fans in the warehouse; • A building automation system for conserving energy; • Indoor air quality sensors; • Low-flow plumbing equipment; • 76 store skylights to allow daylight harvesting and save energy; • A highly reflective rooftop to reduce solar heating in the summer; • Rainwater harvesting and a rooftop edible garden; and • Permeable pavement to absorb rainwater and improve drainage.

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with Roger Grochmal

Learning from other Contractors “Roger, who is your ‘Ask Roger’? How do you find ideas to try out at your company?” Mark C., Vancouver, B.C.

Finding sources of inspiration Getting involved in the industry and making the most of educational opportunities are

A two-way street

great ways to learn from your peers. I go to two or three

I recently hosted a team of eight from a large contractor in New York who wanted to look at our computer system. We learned as much from their visit as they did from us. We are planning a return visit to New York later in the year and look forward to the insights that will come out of that exchange.

conferences a year where I know other contractors will be attending, and I always put money in my budget for these kinds of things. There are some great opportunities to meet other contractors at conferences put on by HRAI, ACCA, ARI, NCI, NADCA and others. I also attend HRAI chapter meetings and work on committees where I can get to know other contractors. I've joined other organizations in both Canada and the U.S., such as ClimateCare, International Service Leadership and National Comfort Institute. I also participate in the HRAI-

t a seminar I attended earlier in the year, Dr. Nick Bontis, a futurist from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., stated that the world's body of knowledge was doubling every 11 hours. He said that sleep is the one activity that makes you stupider, since you wake up knowing a smaller percentage of the world’s knowledge than when you went to bed. So how can contractors stay on top of their game?

The best way for me has always been to learn from other contractors and there are a lot of ways to do this. The most obvious is to go visit them and have them visit you in return. I tend to visit people I have met before at conferences, but sometimes when I know I'm going to be in a particular city, I just call a contractor I’ve heard of and ask him if I can stop by. I have never been refused, and many take me up on my offer to come by AtlasCare.

sponsored financial benchmarking program to see how we compare to other contractors.

M e c h a n i c a l

When someone asks you why you do something a particular way, it initiates a good discussion on other ways to do it that may indeed be better. It brings a different perspective to the game that serves both as inspiration and as motivation to look at your current business practices and how they might be improved. B u s i n e s s

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My business has been the beneficiary of dozens of ideas gleaned from other contractors in the areas of marketing, computers, fleet management, cash management, new products and succession planning, among others. When I get a good idea from one contractor, I will often call another to compare notes and determine the best way to implement the idea. Business ideas are usually not new. It’s how they get implemented that tends to determine success or failure. This is often where the best learning comes. In the end, it's why I write this column. I hope that some day you might find a good idea for your business that helps you become a better contractor. When you do, drop me a line so I can share your success with others.

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

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COVER STORY By Adam Freill

DID YOU KNOW?

Photos courtesy of mikeroweWORKS, Discovery Channel, Discovery Canada, and Master Lock

More than 30 shows have come out of Dirty Jobs, from the various segments on the show.

sking Mike Rowe to describe his occupation is an interesting task. As the host of Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Network and Discovery Canada, he’s tried his hand at more than 300 careers, and boy have his hands gotten dirty. “I’m an apprentice, a perpetual apprentice, and Dirty Jobs is Ground Hog Day in a sewer,” he laughed during a recent interview from his home in San Francisco. “I’ve committed to chronicling my ongoing failures.” The show has had Mike do everything from cleaning out boilers and smashing toilets to harvesting geoduck (a species of

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very large, edible, saltwater clam) waist-deep in muck. Through it all though, he retains his great sense of humour, and brings out the best in the people whose livelihoods he’s profiling. “I think the reason that the show has done well is that, unlike every other show on TV, we leave at the end of the day. There are very few shows on right now that spend the amount of time we spend in one day, and no matter how good or how bad it goes, just leave,” he explains. “If we meet a plumber and he’s a character and we spend 12 hours plumbing together, well, we have five cameras going and we’ll find something to have a

Celebrating the nobility of work Originally sold to Discovery Network as a set of thr ee one-hour “truly unscripted shows about the kind of people my grandfather knew and worked with, and was,” Dirty Jobs wasn’ t supposed to be a regularly scheduled show, but after the first episodes ran, the network received letters, more than 10,000 of them, with suggestions for jobs to feature, so it worked its way into a more regular spot in 2003 and 2004. “It did well, and it got some people’s attention, but it didn’t really blow up until the economy went sideways – ar ound 2007 down here,” recalls Rowe. “In a lot of ways the headlines caught up with the themes of the show. Dirty Jobs is a very simple show, but the underlying themes are kind of universal: the definition of a good job; the notion of the nobility of work; the willingness to get dirty – all those things.”

Thanks, grand-dad

mikeroweWORKS.com Launched on Labour Day, September 1, in 2008, www.mikeroweWORKS.com is designed to challenge the notion that a four-year degree is the only path to a worthwhile career. The listed mission of the site is: “To promote the skilled trades in areas of public awareness, reducing stigmas, education, career planning and job opportunities, as well as supporting organizations that get us there.” To help forward the cause, the site includes a public forum with thousands of links to trade resources, scholarships, apprenticeships, fellowships and vocational schools, tools that can be used by anyone wanting to explore a career in the construction or technical trades. The forum also houses a discussion board where topics relevant to the trades can be shared and debated. If you would like to contribute to the dialogue, hit the site and post at the Water Cooler, or send an e-mail to info@mikeroweWORKS.com.

One of the biggest inspirations behind the show Dirty Jobs was Mike’s grandfather, who Rowe says, “was hardwired into the trades.” Despite dropping out of school early to join the workforce, Rowe explains that his grandfather, a “classic tradesman,” had developed a mastery of plumbing, electrical work, architecture, and much more by his mid-30s. “I very much wanted to follow in his footsteps. I took all the vocational technical classes and I paid careful attention to everything that he and my dad did around the farm, and the truth is, I just did not get the gene. I am just not that guy,” says Mike. “Every trade class I took I loved, but it just did not come naturally to me.” When he was in high school, his grandfather told him, “You really need to figure out getting a different tool box.” Taking that advice, the young Rowe went to community college to study acting.

laugh at and learn some things, and that’s really the only mission. And then we’ll move on to the next one.” For a typical shoot, he’ll spend a day on a job site, working without an agenda, shoot sheet or script, and they never do a second take. “The thing that I knew intuitively, just from growing up around guys who work,” he explains, “is that if you can get out of your own way, and just let these people be themselves, there’s always a surprising level of humour and intelligence that’s alive and well on the site. My job is to make sure that it still feels like a site and not a set.” He likes to claim that Dirty Jobs is a talk show, but with a constantly changing set, and a few other subtle differences, “I don’t have a band, and the only suits I own are rubber or Tyvek.”

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Catch up with Mike’s adventures on Dirty Jobs Down Under and Dirty Jobs on Discovery Canada. Check your local listings for dates and times. And be sure to check out mikeroweWORKS.com to see how you can help Mike create fans of the trades.

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COVER STORY

Giving back and building up The stars of Dirty Jobs come from all sectors of industry, but there are a number of common challenges among the companies profiled and apprenticed, including the ability to attract new people into the trades. “I reached out to the fans of Dirty Jobs and said, ‘Why don’t we build a trades resource centre?’ Let’s do something online that helps make a case for pursuing a career in the trades and offers something useful for parents and kids who want to sit down and have that conversation,” says Rowe. “That’s how mikeroweWORKS.com started, just as a trade resource centre, where you could make a case – online – for the trades.” As luck might have it, Mike seemed to strike a chord once again, and a number of companies reached out to ask how they could help. “I started having some really grown-up conversations with CEOs of companies like Grainger, Ford and Caterpillar,” he laughs.

Seeking fans, not advocates In Mike’s part of the world, the going rate to hire a plumber is around $200 per hour, and he says that it can be hard to find one who has time even at that charge-out rate. That might be good for the tradesman, but the scarcity of professionals could be foreboding. “In my world, the plumber is going to be just fine. The problem is people who are addicted to indoor toilets. Those people are going to have an issue when they need a plumber because he’s not going to be on standby. And if he is, he is going t o cost more per hour than a psychiatrist,” he muses. “In a world where you can’t get a plumber, electrician or a good contractor to come to your home to help you do a thing for a reasonable amount of money, that’s the place we get to right before we flick the switch and the lights don’t go on.” That’s what he finds most troubling, and was part of the motivation to help cast a positive

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spotlight on the value that the trades bring to society as we know it. “We are not properly gobsmacked by the miracle that happens when you flick the light and it actually comes on,” he says. “We’re going in the wrong direction as a society.” But he doesn’t think that plumbers and electricians preaching to young people will do much to change how students feel about the trades, and to get them to consider trades training among their options as their high school careers transition to post-secondary training. “Part of what I tr y to do, on mikeroweWORKS, person-to-person, or in front of a crowd, is to make the distinction between an advocate for the trades and what the trades really need. What they need, are fans,” he explains. “By that, I mean they need people in the masses who are aware that their lives would be unrecognizable without tradesmen, and that the work the tradesmen do is beyond them. What we need to do is to challenge people who are not in the trades to feel differently when they flush the toilet and watch the crap go away.”

Up for the challenge, to a point Mike’s latest outings landed him looking for interesting jobs to try in Australia. “I spent a month there, and Dirty Down Under will live up to its name,” he reports, laughingly adding, “Melbourne is my favourite place down there, but we didn’t go to any of my favourite places.” His visit to Coober Pedy and the opal mines in the Northern Territory actually presented him with a task that was one of the rare times that he’s balked at a job. To mine for the precious stones a drill bit about the size of a manhole cover is run straight down about 80 feet into the ground. If the operator hits sandstone and soapstone, which is where opals are typically found, then the operator goes down in the hole, lowered down on a bosun’s chair with the dirt on either side tight enough to touch both shoulders. “It is a tight fit, and you are lowered all the way to the bottom,” says Rowe, who likens the experience of being at the bottom of the hole to what it might be like if one were stuck in a giant Coke bottle looking up, way up, to the small opening at the top of the bottle, hoping nobody puts the cap back on the bottle. “I have no problem with heights and I’m really not that claustrophobic, but I don’t want to be buried alive. There are limits.”

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PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES CIPH ABC 2012

Building relationships in Montebello CIPH Annual Business Conference chairman Robert Whitty and his team put together an impressive event as this year’s ABC took to Le Chateau Montebello in Quebec. From the spectacular venue, to an impressive array of guest speakers, and great entertainment, the event lived up to its theme of building healthy relationships for the more than 220 delegates and companions in attendance. Next year the ABC heads to the East Coast, landing at the Marriott Halifax Harbourfront Hotel from June 16 to 18. ciph.com

1. Wendy LeBlanc, mayor of Carleton Place, provides an update on the 9th CIPH Habitat Home Build. 2. Kim Elliott helps prepare lunch during the handson culinary experience. 3. Casey and Dave MacPherson. 4. Senator Don Plett discusses his mechanical roots. 5. Outgoing CIPH chairman Kevin Fullan (left) receives his chairman’s plaque from incoming chair John Hammill. 6. The conference’s official crier, Daniel Richer. 7. Incoming Canadian Hydronics Council chairman Sean Giberson (left) presents past-chair Bill Hooper with a chairman’s gavel plaque. 8. Patrice Painchaud gets the crowd fired up. 9. Scott Duncan gets a rustic look. 10. Conference chair Robert Whitty. 11. Jon Leeson serenades his wife Linda on the dance floor. 12. Dr. Linda Duxbury talks about worklife balance. 13. Keynote speaker and paralympic multiple-gold medalist Chantal Petitclerc. 14. Jon Leeson and Jim and Bernice Garrett get set for the geocache scavenger hunt.

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HRAI took its 44th annual conference and AGM to Halifax this past August. Living up to the theme of pursuing service excellence, the event featured a keynote session with Canada’s Green Grocer, Pete Luckett who explained that his desire to see to his customers is what has allowed his company to grow from a tiny market stall in Saint John, N.B., into a multi-million dollar retail and wholesale operation. Next year’s event is already in the planning stages, taking to the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver, B.C., from August 21 to 24. hrai.ca

1. Outgoing HRAI chair Ron Robinson welcomes guests and delegates to Halifax. 2. Marc Gendron (left), chair of the Contractors Division, presents the Gearld Inch Award for Chapter leadership to Wayne Fischer. 3. Nick and Diane Reggi at the President’s gala. 4. Incoming HRAI chair David Morden presents Jim Flowers with the HRAI Manufacturers Distinguished Service Award. 5. Dave and Wendy Derksen with Laurie and David Weishuhn. 6. HRAI president Warren Heeley and Steve Yurek, president and CEO of AHRI, put on a show for the camera. 7. Tom and Donna Vasilak at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. 8. The changing of the guard. Outgoing chair Ron Robinson hands the gavel to incoming chair David Morden. 9. Chris Chopik of Evolution Green talks about using high-end mechanical systems as selling features for homes. 10. Jerry Leyte of Uponor. 11. Tom Boutette shares a comment during the national assembly. 12. Canada’s Green Grocer, and owner of Luckett Vineyards – his latest venture – Pete Luckett shares stories of service excellence and corporate growth. 13. Peter Davison brought his sense of humour to the conference.

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REFRIGERATION

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DETECTING LEAKS IN SYSTEMS

eak testing of a mechanical refrigeration system is of paramount importance to maintain proper operation and system efficiency.

Typically, self-contained systems, such as refrigerators or chillers, are less susceptible to leaks, whereas built up systems may be somewhat more susceptible. As the length of piping increases within a system and the number of heat transfer devices increase, so too do the chances of refrigerant leaks. Finding leaks and repairing them before charging (or recharging) a system is necessary to keep systems running efficiently while minimizing environmental impacts. There are several methods that can be used to find these leaks, and deciding which method and tools will work best will depend on several factors, such as the type of refrigerant, type of system and environmental conditions.

ELECTRONIC LEAK DETECTORS

SOAP BUBBLE TEST

Non-selective: These detectors are not recommended for area monitoring. They are designed for pinpointing refrigerant leaks. These units are normally okay for leaks down to about a half-ounce per year, but they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tend to be background compensated, so some are affected by concentrations in air.

This method is compatible with all common refrigeration systems, and can be used whenever the system is at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. There are many manufacturers of leak detection fluids, but be aware that some of these fluids may be caustic. If not removed upon completion of the leak test, they may discolour or corrode some components. In all cases, the soap bubble test fluid should be wiped up and removed from external components after the test is completed. This method is easily used, by spraying or brushing the fluid over surfaces and observing either large or small bubbles. Extremely large leaks may blow the soap away and no bubbles will be noticed. Ensure there is plenty of light and that inspection mirrors are used for observing areas that are not easily accessed. The soap bubble test is not affected by refrigerant concentration in surroundings.

There are three categories of electronic leak detectors, non-selective, halogen-selective, and compound-specific.

Halogen-selective: These use infrared sensors and have a higher degree of sensitivity than non-selective detectors. These only sense halogen compounds, such as bromine, chlorine and fluorine. They will sense leaks down to 0.05 ounces per year, and can be calibrated and background compensated. Compound-specific: These detectors use infrared photoacoustic sensors and are highly sensitive to a specific compound. They can typically detect leaks of 1 ppm, or 0.01 ounce per year. When using an electronic leak detector for pinpointing leaks it is important to ensure that continued on page 82

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the sensor is not affected by ambient concentrations of refrigerant. The detector must have a means of distinguishing between a room filled with refrigerant vapour and the actual leak within the system.

HALIDE LEAK DETECTOR This method uses a flame heated reaction plate to detect the presence of chlorine-containing refrigerants. This type of detector works only with CFCs and HCFCs. It will not sense HFC leaks.

For best results, calibrate or zero for the conditions, ensure there is no air movement, and keep the sensor clean, dry and away from oil contamination.

Flame type detectors are not to be used with refrigerants that may contain flammable substances, such as propane, butane or isobutene, or in an explosive environment – areas with high concentrations of dust, flour, sugar, carbon, etc.

When searching for a leak, follow the leak detector manufacturer’s recommendations, maintaining a close proximity to the piping/fitting/etc., moving at a consistently slow rate (about one inch per second).

Halide leak detectors are affected by refrigerant concentration in surroundings.

LITMUS PAPER (PHENOLIC TEST) A phenolic test can be used with ammonia, R717, which is alkaline (pH greater than 7). When a leak is present the paper will change colour. This could be from blue to red, if blue litmus paper is used, or red to blue, if red litmus paper is used. This test may be affected by concentrations in air.

SMOKE TEST Small ammonia leaks can be detected with a sulphur candle. The candle will give off a very thick, white smoke when it contacts the ammonia leak.

WHEN TO

LEAK TEST Depending on your region, there may be mandatory guidelines outlining leak testing requirements and intervals. Absent of this type of directive, and in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, systems should be leak tested annually, or whenever it appears they are operating on a low charge, or when there is a sign of physical evidence that a leak has occurred. Diligent customers may even request semiannual leak testing of their equipment. Perhaps for environmental reasons or perhaps due to reasons of a financial or performance based nature (they cannot afford to have their systems go down). When repairs, refrigerant conversions, modifications or other services are performed on an existing system, a leak test must be performed. If there is refrigerant remaining in an existing high-pressure refrigerant system, a leak test can be performed using the pressure from within. When dealing with a low-pressure system, it may be necessary to circulate warm water through the chiller barrel to increase system pressure in order to perform a leak test. If using this method, do not exceed 110°F (43.3°C), or the pressure relief system may kick in.

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As ammonia is considered a B2 refrigerant – it will support combustion in the presence of oxygen – it is not recommended to have any ignition source present. Do not use a sulphur candle when the ammonia concentration in the air is between 15 and 28 per cent. This test may be affected by refrigerant concentrations in air.

ULTRASONIC LEAK DETECTORS These units detect ultrasonic noises generated by leaks of any refrigerant type. The sensors are non-selective, so be aware of background mechanical sounds. This test is not affected by wind, contaminants or refrigerant concentrations in the air.

ULTRA VIOLET LIGHT & FLUORESCENT DYES Some leaks can be found through the injection of a fluorescent dye into a system and allowing it to circulate. With the use of an ultraviolet light in a dark environment, it can be possible to track down pinhole leaks of less than 0.25 ounces per year. Many compressor manufacturers do not recommend the addition of any substances other than refrigerant and system oil, so before injecting anything into a system ensure that it has been approved by the compressor manufacturer. This method of leak detection is not affected by wind or refrigerant concentrations, however it can be affected by other fluorescent leak detection soaps or any previously used fluorescent dyes. Ensure that older dyes have been cleaned and removed before using this method.

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HYDRONICS

B y B o b “ Ho t R o d ” R o h r

E x p a n d i n g horizons with water-to-water systems

I used 3/4" PE loops, opting to go with three of them connected to the manifold. The nice thing about this arrangement was that the manifold provided isolation, and an easy way to flush and purge loop-by-loop. Being the hydronics guy that I am, one of my favourite parts of this setup was the QuickSetter valve that I installed on every loop. This allowed me to see that each loop was contributing the required gpm flow to the heat pump.

will admit that when it comes to hydronics I have been a boiler and solar snob. I’ve ignored heat pumps under the premise that they are mainly coal-fired devices (or at least the power plants that generate the electricity for them have often been coal-fired, at least here in the U.S.). I have always preferred a flame to handle my heating and DHW duties – whether directly at the boiler, or 93 million miles away from earth (when working with a solar heating system).

From the manifold to the heat pump, I trenched in 1-1/4” PE lines and a conduit for some sensor wires to monitor the pond. The fun part for me was bringing all the loops together, into the home, and installing the pump, expansion tank and air removal device. I completed the entire wet side in a few days, working alone. I also managed to float the three loop field coils into the pond and sink them to the bottom.

But I am getting over my reluctance to take a serious look at all the advantages heat pumps can provide. I recently upgraded my mother-in-law’s small home to a watersource heat pump. Given my penchant for trying systems out, this was my second attempt at installing a loop field in the nearby pond. This time around, I used a state-of-the-art geoexchange manifold to connect the loops in a manifold box mounted alongside the pond. Being a geoexchange novice, the accessible manifold allowed me to install the system in bite-sized pieces.

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With the water-side done, I called in a refrigeration company with geothermal experience to run the refrigerant side. The heat pump is mounted in the garage, and the air handler in a closet inside the home. As luck would have it, I had a spare horizontal indirect tank that made a great base for the heat pump. This put the heat pump at a nice working level A large geoexchange loop field being installed in a pond.

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• A d d i n g a b i t o f s u nsh in e • T wo p eas in a p o d compared to a floor-mount. And the de-superheater from the heat pump pipes into the domestic water in the tank. Moving into the home, the new air handler component offers variable speed (blower magic!) so the on/off cycling has been all but eliminated. And, to add icing to the cake, the local electric co-op had a rebate for this type of system upgrade (that’s a nice little bonus when incentives are around – definitely worth looking into with the utility providers in your service area). I’ll crunch some numbers this fall to see how the energy costs compare to previous years, but so far it is looking promising.

ADDING a bit of SUNSHINE Given my love of solar, I had yet one more hydronic component up my sleeve. I connected the large HX coils inside the indirect tank to a drain-back solar panel. For the shoulder seasons, when neither heating nor cooling is required, the solar supplies much of the DHW for one person.

In my mother-in-law’s community, this summer has seen a record number of days above 100°F (north of 37°C if that’s your preferred temperature scale), so the system has been put to a pretty extreme test, but it has been providing quiet comfort through it all – hopefully, at a lower operating cost.

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

ADDING ELECTRICAL to my solar habit

Solar thermal will always be near and dear to me, so I try to add the technology to my mechanical systems whenever possible. Taking my use of solar a step further, this fall I plan on adding a few AC PV modules to help offset some of my electrical use.

A QUIET OPTION Two peas in a pod While hydronics will always be the industry that keeps me excited, I see where geoexchange and hydronics can blend to complement one another. Together they can “marry up” to provide energy moving efficiencies. Now that the water-to-water heat pump has been tackled, my next dream project is an upgrade to the air conditioner at the shop/office – and air-to-water systems that can power the slab radiant and also provide cooling do intrigue me. Or maybe I’ll look at a ground source option with the loop field installed via a directional boring rig. With equipment manufacturers constantly developing new technologies for guys like me to try out, the options seem endless, and you know I will keep you posted as I put these dreams into reality.

This new water-to-water system replaced a 15-year-old heat pump system, one that had the packaged unit with the compressor in the cabinet, and that was installed in a closet in the house. It was always a bit too noisy being adjacent to the bedroom and living room. The new system has the compressor module installed in a storage area in the garage. I am pleasantly surprised at how quietly this system runs. It has a dual-speed compressor and on low speed you pretty much need to place a hand on the cabinet to tell that the system is running.

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www.ciphexwest.ca The Industry Heads West CIPHEX West, Western Canada’s largest expo and conference for plumbing, HVAC/R and water treatment, will take place November 7 and 8 at the Vancouver Convention Centre, and organizers are expecting it to be the largest to date. According to show manager Elizabeth McCullough, “The goal was for the show to be the largest CIPHEX West show in terms of exhibitors and booths on record. We have already achieved that goal and are still selling!” Among the reasons to attend, says Elizabeth, is the fact that the show’s size ensures there’s value for everyone in the industry. “Visiting the show gives attendees access to more than 250 exhibitors and thousands of products,” she says. “You can learn about WHAT: CIPHEX West the latest industry trends, see and compare new products from competing vendors, and attend WHEN: November 7-8, 2012 workshops and free seminars. Whether you’re an installer, technician, engineer, purchaser or sales rep, there’s something for everyone, and nothing WHERE: Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, B.C. compares to seeing the products in person and getting the best information from industry WHY ATTEND: More than 250 exhibitors, free seminars, technical experts.” While you’re there, don’t miss Mechanical workshops, new products, emerging technologies, sustainable solutions Business columnist Carol Fey’s seminars on trouand technical experts. bleshooting and technical selling. Workshops and Seminars Wednesday, November 7

8:30 a.m. Hydronics for low energy and net zero houses

John Siegenthaler, P.E. will explore heat emitter options and tie‐ins with renewable heat sources such as solar thermal collectors and heat pumps.

Room 205/207

10:30 a.m. Tweet your way to success

Dennis Pang, founder and marketing strategist of Popcorn, will discuss ways to use social media to attract new customers.

Exhibit hall, aisle 100

Carol Fey is a heating technician and emergency communications operator with 25 years in the controls industry. She will break down the steps involved in fixing HVAC wiring and circuits using easily understandable analogies.

11:30 a.m. Quick & basic troubleshooting Exhibit hall, aisle 100

1:00 p.m. Introduction to rainwater harvesting in British Columbia Room 205/207

Al Moutter, owner of Living Springs Water and an ARSCA accredited professional, will present an overview of rainwater harvesting and will introduce participants to techniques for harvesting in rain gardens and green roofs, as well as more complex systems using catchment containers. continued on page 88

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3.30 p.m. How to do business with the federal government Exhibit hall, aisle 100

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Sarah Allin works with the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME) and will provide advice and guidance to suppliers wishing to do business with the federal government.

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A.M.T.S. Limited ....................................812 A.O. Smith .......................................519 Acudor Acorn Limited & Jay R Smith ........613 AIC Heat Exchangers............................733 Aimco International...............................511 Airvecto ..................................................707 Alberta Custom Tee (2006) Ltd ............323 Allied Engineering ................................725 Allpriser Ltd.....................................422 Amtrol Canada Ltd................................606 Andre HVAC International Inc..............107 Apollo Valves...................................619 Aprilaire..................................................628 Aquatech Sales & Marketing Inc .....742 Aquatherm CA.................................331 Armstrong Integrated ...........................806 ASPE BC.................................................126 Axiom Industries Ltd .............................732 Barclay Sales ..........................................627 Barr Plastics Inc......................................243 BC WWA ................................................610 Bibby-Ste-Croix .....................................633 BMI .........................................................510 Boshart Industries Inc. ..........................542 Bow Plumbing Group, Inc. ...................623 Bradford White-Canada Inc. ............712 Burnham.................................................909 Canada Metal (Pacific) ..........................507 Canplas Industries Ltd. .........................525 CB Supplies Limited ........................638 CCBDA...................................................418 CCTF ......................................................931 Centrotherm Eco Systems, LLC .......807 CHC .................................................917

Chemfax Products Ltd. .........................330 CIPH ................................................101 Curaflo of BC Ltd. .................................103 CWQA ....................................................104 D/R Energy Wise Distributors Ltd. ......436 Dahl Brothers Canada Ltd ...............907 Danfoss ..................................................913 Deflecto..................................................206 Dierks Equipment Sales ltd ..................528 Dobbin Sales Ltd...................................443 Eastern Foundry & Fittings Inc.............533 Ecco Supply ...........................................643 Ecotherm Inc..........................................325 Emco Corp.......................................637 Erico........................................................337 Excalibur Water Systems Inc ................600 Fairview Fittings & Mfg. Ltd .................604 Fernco Connectors ...............................625 Fernox ....................................................830 Flowmax Technologies Inc. ..................113 Forbest Products Co.............................329 FortisBC .................................................724 Franke Kindred Canada Limited..........319 Franklin Electric / Little Giant..........338 G.F. Thompson Co. Ltd. .......................409 Gasmaster Industries Ltd......................930 Gerber Canada......................................609 Giacomini S.p.A.....................................828 Giant Factories Inc. ...............................411 Government Services Canada .............123 Gree Canada .........................................430 Green Turtle Technologies ...................605 Greenway Water Technologies ............700 Grundfos Canada Inc............................719 listings continued on page 90

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Why are Contractors quickly turning into TRUE BLUE fans?

File # 186 Police Station

Ask Richard Grenier of Ingémel Experts Conseil “AquaRise® is faster to install than copper piping, and I am confident that it will last for a long time. We have been using the product for about three years, and we believe it is the

em fully-integrated syst AquaRise ofngferss ana d va lves. AquaRise of pipe, fittient and primer allows for solvent cemsembly. fast, easy as ®

better choice for our customers.” For the full case study story visit www.ipexinc.com/aquarise

Non-Metallic Potable Water Systems for Commercial & High-Rise Construction Product manufactured by IPEX Inc. The colour of the AquaRise® pipes and fittings is a trade-mark of IPEX Branding Inc. AquaRise® is a trade-mark of IPEX Branding Inc.

Call 1-866-473-9462 or visit www.ipexinc.com

Harman Edison ......................................642 Hathorn Corporation ............................228 Heatlink Group ......................................713 HG Spec Inc...........................................938 Holdrite ..................................................226 Honeywell........................................435 HPAC .....................................................212 HPS Controls Ltd...................................722 HRAI .......................................................232 Hy-Line Sales Ltd...................................335 Hydromatic ............................................904 Hydrowest Products Ltd. ......................736 IBC Technologies Inc. ...........................801 Imperial Manufacturing Group ............529 InSinkErator............................................905 IPEX Inc. ..........................................218 Jaga Canada Climate Systems Inc. .....825 Jonas Software ......................................504 King Heating Products Inc....................831 KVC Industries .......................................934 Kwantlen Polytechnic............................235 Laars Heating Systems ....................712 Lenox - A Division of Rubbermaid ......629 Liberty Pumps........................................413 LockDown Systems Inc. ........................426 Lyncar Products Ltd...............................401 M.A. Stewart & Sons Ltd. .....................116 M&G Duravent ................................832 Madok Manufacturing Limited ............433 Mainline Backflow Products Inc. ..........140

MC Commercial Inc. .............................509 MCA BC .................................................334 Mechanical Business Magazine........501 Mechanical Systems 2000.....................805 Mestek Inc..............................................941 Mifab ......................................................708 Milwaukee Electric Tool ...................437 Mirolin Industries Corp. ........................301 Mission Rubber Company LLC ............224 Moen Incorporated..........................137 MUL-T-MAT & Supply Co. ....................118 Napoleon Heating and Cooling.......130 Navien America ...............................701 NCI Canada Inc. ....................................231

Nexus Energy Products Inc. .................929 Niles Steel Tank .....................................710 Noble...............................................307 Noritz America.......................................630 Novaflex Group ...............................923 Novanni/Elkay..................................901 Novo Water Conditioning Products 423 NTI (NY Thermal) .............................734 Nu-Trend Industries Inc. .......................332 NV Eco Vision Sales Inc. .......................531 Oasis International ................................106 Oatey Canada SCS Co. ........................210 Oetiker, Inc.............................................327 Ontor Limited ........................................429 listings continued on page 94

CIPHEX West Workshops and Seminars Thursday, November 8 John Siegenthaler, P.E., will discuss how to couple both geothermal and air source heat pumps to appropriate hydronic distribution systems for optimal performance, and will show schematics and guidelines for residential and light commercial scale systems.

8:30 a.m. Hydronically enhanced heat pump systems Room 205/207

Elkay’s EZH20™ provides a rapid fill of filtered water to quench thirst and reduce plastic bottle waste in the environment! Ideal for education, fitness clubs, healthcare facilities, and hospitality. Available as a Wall Mount, In-Wall or Surface Mount application.

Surface Mount (EZWSSM) Installs directly on the wall with robust hanging bracket for applications with limited wall depth.

Wall Mount (LZS8WSLK) Single EZH20™ Complete water cooler. Also available as a retroﬁt kit (LZWSRK). See image at right.

Elkay SwirlFlo®

LZWSRK Retroﬁt kit (LZWSRK) which attaches to most 115V existing Elkay EZ pushbar activated coolers (not shown).

Elkay Soft Sides®

In-Wall (LZWSM8K) Designed as a stand-alone unit or to be paired with an Elkay SwirlFlo® or Soft Sides® architectural fountain.

A GREEN Solution. No more paper cup waste. No more expensive bottle service. No more ﬂoor-standing point-of use coolers. Exclusive Canadian Distributor of Elkay Water Coolers, Drinking Fountains and Bottle Filling Stations

2978 Southorn Rd, PO Box 189, Coldwater, ON L0K 1E0 | Tel: 1-800-661-1795 | Fax: 1-800-361-2176 | www.novanni.ca

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VISIT US AT T US AT VISI

BOOT

H #

Booth # 619

CIPHEX West Workshops and Seminars Thursday, November 8 cont.

Join The Green Scene

10:30 a.m. Copper triple header Exhibit hall, aisle 100

12:00 p.m. Technician Selling Exhibit hall, aisle 100

1:00 p.m. Water treatment Room 205/207

1:30 p.m.

New WatcoFlex Bath Waste ...installs faster/easier TM

Pumps for hydronic systems Exhibit hall, aisle 100

Special patent pending PVC flexible tubing. Eliminates four field joints. Innovator overflow parts assemble by hand. No screws. Approved by IAPMO. It’s green. You’ll get used to seeing it. Just ask your wholesaler 3:00 p.m.

WATCO

Selling Beautiful Heat Exhibit hall, aisle 100

Stephen Knapp, executive director of the Canadian Copper and Brass Development Association, will talk about the latest sustainable applications for copper, design velocities for water systems and new joining techniques.

Carol Fey talks about selling in a technical world. Fey is a regular in Mechanical Business, and is a highly respected industry trainer.

In this half-day course, water-treatment expert Ric Harry will provide an introduction to water treatment issues, including the essentials of water treatment systems and problem water scenarios.

Bill Hooper of Xylem Applied Water Systems and Rod Parker of Grundfos Canada Inc. will discuss the role of pumps in the setup and design of hydronic heating systems.

Learn about the benefits of the Canadian Hydronics Council’s Beautiful Heat campaign, which seeks to educate homeowners and empower contractors involved in residential hydronic heating.

The Bath Drain Company WATCO MANUFACTURING COMPANY 1220 South Powell Road, Independence, MO 64057-2724 Phone 816-796-3900 • FAX 816-796-0875 www.watcomfg.com

4:00 p.m. Tankless 101 Exhibit hall, aisle 100

A Division of WCM Industries, Inc.

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This seminar brings together panelists Steve Bagshaw of Intellihot Green Technologies Inc., Steve Embreus of Rheem Canada Ltd., and Mark Williamson of Navien America Inc.

repair, reuse and

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Erie, PA 16502 USA « \Ênää ÈÈÈ ÎÈ £ÊUÊn£{ {xÓ ÎÈ £

www.reedmfgco.com http://videos.reedmfgco.com/ppr 0312

List of Exhibitors con’t

Orca Health Care Supplies Inc.............136 Ortech Industries...................................432 OS&B...............................................614 Oventrop Corporation..........................601 Pentair Canada, Inc...............................543 Pfister Faucets .......................................518 Plumbing & HVAC.................................100

Primex Construction .............................407 Quality HVAC Products.........................632 Quantum Mechanical Sales..................824 Quote Express .......................................424 Ratech Electronics Ltd. .........................513 Raven Hydronic Supply Ltd. .................704 Reed Manufacturing Company ........119 REHAU Inc. ............................................835 Reliance Worldwide/Cash Acme ..........900 Rescom Rads .........................................928

You may never replace a water heater tank again. ® E NG I NE E RE D D U P L E X A L L O Y

AquaPLEX is a unique water heater and storage tank material that blends 300 and 400 series stainless steels to create an alloy better than either material alone. • No tank lining, coating, cladding or plating (the tank walls are solid AquaPLEX) • No anodes of any type • No chloride stress corrosion cracking (a known failure mode for 304L and 316L stainless steel in hot potable water)

AquaPLEX vessels are available on almost all PVI water heaters including: • • • • • •

Condensing gas Non-condensing gas Electric Indirect steam or boiler water (u-tube or plate exchangers) Combination energies Storage tanks

See the intro video on YouTube

• Can store water at > 200ºF continuously with no effect • ASME approved material • The ultimate solution to all water heating applications and the only long-term solution for solar thermal storage

aquaplex.pvi.com www.pvi.com

Engineered Water Heating Solutions®

Reversomatic .........................................405 Reznor ....................................................906 Rheem Canada Ltd. ..............................419 Ridgid ..............................................522 Rogers Outrank .....................................506 Ronbow ..................................................908 Roth Industries.......................................809 Rothenberger ........................................911 Royal Pipe Systems ...............................718 Seton Canada ........................................527 SFA Saniflo, Inc................................624 Siemens Building Technologies...........534 Sime North America ........................813 Sinclair Supply Ltd.................................535 Sinus North America Mfg. Inc..............927 Sioux Chief Mfg.....................................333 Slant Fin Ltd...........................................608 Soler & Palau Canada ...........................706 Source West Sales.................................324 Spartan Peripheral Devices ..................833 Square Inc. .............................................607 Steam Specialty Sales Ltd. ...................532 Summer Aire ..........................................915 Summerhill .............................................138 Sumner Manufacturing (Canada) Inc...343 Symmons Industries Inc. ..................328 Taco Canada Ltd. .............................919 Taylor Pipe Supports.............................222 TECA ......................................................925 Tegart Services Group ..........................729 tekmar Control Systems Ltd ............924 Thermal Solutions .................................909 Tom Donaldson Co. Limited ................236 Toto.........................................................910 Triangle Tube .........................................915 Uponor Ltd.............................................202 Urecon Pre-Insulated Pipe....................730 UV Dynamics Inc....................................105 Victaulic ...........................................500 Victor Technologies Canada Ltd..........505 Viessmann Manufacturing Company Inc..819 Wade Drains ..........................................631 Watercycles Inc......................................635 WaterGroup ...........................................512 Watts Water Technologies (Canada) Inc. 313 Weil-McLain Canada.............................837 Westpoint Sales Inc...............................219 Wilo Canada ..........................................726 Winkler Technik .....................................811 Winters Instruments ..............................508 WiringPro Corporation .........................229 Wolseley Canada .............................428 Woodford & Watco Mfg. .................914 Xylem......................................................737 Zurn Industries Limited....................225

*As of press time Companies in red have ads appearing in this edition of Mechanical Business.

PLUMBING

B y Jaso n Boyd Jason Boyd is the LEED-accredited marketing manager for Dobbin Sales Ltd. and general manager at NEO Valves Ltd. He can be reached at jboyd@dobbinsales.com.

Dezincification exposed or decades dezincification of brass has caused concern for plumbers, engineers and facilities around the globe. This potential problem can be defined as a form of selective corrosion, where zinc is leached out of a brass alloy leaving a weakened, porous copper fitting.

Brass valves and fittings have become greatly commoditized over the years, reducing price points with the influx of manufacturers from around the globe. This is good news for the budget conscious, but it may not be so beneficial to the overall lifespan of the water system. When a brass alloy is made up of more than 15 per cent zinc, there is an increased risk of selective corrosion because zinc is highly reactive with a weak atomic bond. Local water conditions will determine the level and type of dezincification that can occur. Neutral or alkaline water that is high in salt and warmer than room temperature may cause zinc to leach. Over time, as this type of water penetrates the surface of a fitting or valve, holes and leaks are created. Water that is rich in oxygen and carbon dioxide can cause a more uniform type of dezincification leaving a valve or fitting with thinning walls. Slow water flow and stagnant water conditions will greatly enhance this type of uniform dezincification. Although dezincification is a pertinent issue for water systems around the globe, it is not rampant, and certainly not without remedy. We don’t all need to be metallurgical experts to understand this issue; we just need to have a clear understanding of the type of system, water conditions and available options. By examining these factors, one can make a suitable choice, weighing the benefits of using brass, bronze, stainless or dezincification resistant brass, all of which are readily available in the Canadian market.

AVAILABLE LEACH-RESISTANT OPTIONS There is no way to predict when and where dezincification will occur with 100 per cent accur acy, but there are several options available to the plumbing contractor and specifying engineer that can help a void the problem. One route that has long been available is the use of bronze alloy components. Bronze is a metal alloy, consisting primarily of copper, but usually with tin as the main additive – although some alloys use other elements, such as phosphorus, manganese, aluminum and silicon in their composition. Bronze is hard and brittle. It generally melts at around 950°C, but the melting point will depend on the amount of tin present in the alloy. Bronze resists corrosion – especially seawater corrosion – as well as metal fatigue more than steel, and is also a better conductor of heat and electricity than most st eels. Due to its hard and brittle nature, bronze is more difficult to machine than brass, however, and therefore comparable bronze components tend to carry relatively higher price tags. Another option is the use of st ainless steel which, like bronze, is extremely corrosion resistant. Stainless is typically suited to industrial and commercial applications but again, like bronze, faces cost as a prohibitive factor for everyday or residential applications. A more recently developed solution is the use of dezincification resistant brass. These alloys meet lead-free requirements and will commonly be marked with a CR (corrosion resistant) or DZR (dezincification resistant). continued on page 98

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Noble Delivers. (Thanks, Vito.) More parts. More brand names. More branches. More service. PLUMBING • HVAC • HYDRONICS • INDUSTRIAL • FIRE PROTECTION • BUILDING MAINTENANCE As a driver with Noble, Vito is always ready to go the extra mile. “I know that people are depending on me to get them the parts they need, when they need them. So, if that means sometimes I have to leave earlier or drive longer, I do it, that’s the job.” That’s the Noble Difference and you’ll ﬁnd it in everything we do.

At Noble, we have a ﬂeet of more than 150 trucks, we have more than 50 branches, we carry more than 70,000 SKUs and we’re committed to having more of the parts, equipment and products that our customers need as stock-on-hand. So, if you’re looking for more, try Noble.

You need it? We got it. www.noble.ca 1-800-529-9805 OR 905-760-6800 BARRIE BELLEVILLE BRAMPTON BROCKVILLE COQUITLAM CORNWALL GRAVENHURST GUELPH HAMILTON KINGSTON KITCHENER LANGLEY LAVAL LONDON LONGUEUIL MAPLE RIDGE MARKHAM MILTON MISSION MISSISSAUGA MONTRÉAL NEWMARKET OAKVILLE OSHAWA OTTAWA PETERBOROUGH SECHELT ST. CATHARINES TORONTO VANCOUVER WINDSOR

PLUMBING

continued from page 96

PRODUCING DZR BRASS Standard brass alloys have “alpha” and “beta” molecular structures that form when the metal is forged and cooled. A good mixture of the two phases produces a standard brass material. By controlling the mixture of the alpha and beta phases during the cooling process, and through the use of de-alloying inhibitors, dezincification resistant (DZR) brass can be created by giving the brass primarily an alpha phase structure. This structural form has been shown to have exceptional de-alloying resistance. This makes it possible to have a brass valve or fitting with traditional zinc levels, allowing the valve to maintain all of the beneficial features of brass, while

JOIN, LEARN

Proﬁt

We have the most comprehensive resources available in Canada... all helping you to work smarter, faster and more profitably.

• Servicing all hydronic professionals • • Standards, codes and regulatory compliance information • • Training and skills development programs • • Supporting consumer awareness programs including Beautiful Heat •

JOIN, LEARN, PROFIT

Call Ken Tomihiro at 1-888-275-2474 www.canadianhydronics.ca k.tomihiro@ciph.com 98

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• Pr oduc i n g D Z R b r a s s • W at ch fo r sign s • K eep in g t h e lead out greatly reducing or eliminating the effects of dezincification. While more expensive to produce than standard brass alloys, this type of product may provide a cost advantage over alternatives.

WATCH FOR SIGNS Dezincification can impact any type of potable or non-potable water delivery system, anywhere a brass valve or fitting is located. Signs of dezincification can range from pinholes and leaks to a complete discolouration of the brass, including the development of a white powdery zinc oxide that coats the surface of the brass. This is a sure sign of zinc being leeched out and, most importantly, is a sign of trouble.

Keeping the lead out An important factor in the selection of any valve or fitting for potable water systems is the presence of lead. Not only is dezincification a concern, but legislation in many U.S. markets – and likely coming soon to Canada – will mandate the use of lead-free materials.

ZINC, AND ITS PURPOSE IN BRASS Brass is an alloy, or mixture, of copper and zinc. Depending on the application and formula, the levels of copper and zinc in a br ass alloy can vary greatly, but regardless of composition the alloy is stronger than either of its constituent metals, copper and zinc. Zinc is a critical part of brass alloys, due to its anti-corrosive properties and the fact that it bonds well with other metals, like copper. Being more malleable and easier to cast than other metals, like bronze, brass has long been used in the constr uction of plumbing fixtures, fittings, valves and for various trim pieces. Additionally, due to its softer composition than other alloys and metals, brass requires less machining from casting to finished product, meaning lower production costs without sacrificing product quality.

M Trusted Tr T rusted above al all.l.TTM

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HVAC

B y C ar o l Fey

Troubleshooting: THE HARD WAY

Carol Fey is a technical trainer who has worked as a heating mechanic in Antarctica and has published six books for the HVAC/R industry. She can be reached at carol@carolfey.com, or visit her website, www.carolfey.com.

I teach troubleshooting for HVAC technicians and mechanics. One of the things I say repeatedly is never go to a job “knowing” what the problem is. But I did it myself — again — just this past summer. I hardly ever use my air conditioning. But we had a long heat wave, and on the fifth day of temperatures over 38°C, I turned on my AC. The house instantly started cooling. I left with the AC on. A couple hours later I returned, looking forward to cool relief from the July sun. Surprise! When I opened the door I was stunned by a blast of heat. In disbelief I hurried over to a floor register. The air roaring out of the register was hot. The last thing I felt like doing was troubleshooting my AC. Or was it my furnace that I needed to check out? I was just too hot, but I reminded myself, “I’m a NATE-certified technician. Physical discomfort doesn’t bother me. I can keep my wits about me no matter what.” And so I leaped to a conclusion.

My heat had also locked on a couple summers ago. This had to be the same thing. Back then the problem was solved by replacing one of the two electronic panels that control my forced air zoning system. But which panel needed to be replaced now? Fortunately I have a friend who is the product specialist. He was sure the culprit was the older panel. So I set about re-wiring so that the zones I needed now were all on the newer panel. Task completed, I confidently turned on the AC. Cool air came out of the registers. But then it got a bit warmer, and warmer, until it was fully hot, just like before. Defeated, I quit for the night, opened the windows, and turned on the attic fan. In the morning I would replace both of the panels. Let’s see, six zones times six wires for each zone plus wires to the transformers and to the

DOING

BUCKET TIME

Before starting to troubleshoot, it’s time to slow down. Take everything out of your tool bucket, and put all that stuf f neatly on the floor. This lets you see what tools you actually do have (see troubleshooting tools sidebar). Then turn the bucket over, put it in front of the equipment, and sit on the bucket. Simply observe and think. Don’t touch anything yet. Yes, I know there’s an ideal that a hot-shot troubleshooter breezes in knowing exactly what the problem is, and within minut es has the thing running. This isn’t troubleshooting. This is either dumb luck or the e xperience of having seen the exact same problem before — and I mean the exact same problem, not thinking it’s the same problem as last time. Once you’re planted on the bucket in front of the equipment , use your best tool, your brain. What are the possible problems here? If your hands are itching to dig in, turn your back to the equipment while you think. Bucket time takes a while — agony for those of us with the ge t-it-done-fast mentality. Imagine yourself as a thoughtful ole guy r ubbing his chin as he just kinda mulls things over. At least sitting on the bucket is a comfortable perch from which to think. Remind yourself that there is a correct order for troubleshooting, and that you will save time and frustration by following it. Say to yourself, I will not jump to conclusions. I will not skip steps. I will follow the troubleshooting process.

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• D oin g b u c k e t t i m e • T h e r igh t t o o ls fo r t r o u b lesh o o t in g equipment equals more than 40 wires to move. In the morning, out of dread of the wiring task, I called my zoning specialist friend again. Could this be anything else besides those panels? “Well,” he said, “you could take the panels out of the picture entirely and see if the equipment does the same thing on its own.” Great idea. Should have thought of it myself. I removed R, Y and G (power, cooling and fan) from the panel, wire-nutted them together, and voila the cooling came on. This time I was standing beside the furnace/AC. Along with the cooling, I began to feel heat radiating off the furnace. Both the cooling and heating were on at the same time, and the zoning panels had nothing to do with it. What I “knew” about the zoning panel being the problem was completely wrong. I called another friend, this time the service manager for my furnace. “Ever hear of this, Scott?” “Nope, but it’s got to be the furnace board. We’ll order you a new one.” In the meantime, I turned off the gas valve so the heat couldn’t function, and cooled my house. A few days later a service tech appeared with the replacement part. “Any reason to think it’s not the furnace board?” I asked as he was starting to remove wires. He shook his head no, and I left him to his work. Some time later he called out to me. “Hey, you’ll never guess what the problem was. It was the humidifier. Last winter when we put in this new humidifier, it got miswired. That’s what’s been bringing on the heat.” So there we have it. I “knew” the problem was a zoning panel, the service manager and tech “knew” it was the furnace board, and here the problem was miswiring. It was an embarrassingly familiar situation for me. Everyone blames the electronics. And the problem is so often simply no power or mis-wiring.

THE TROUBLESHOOTING PROCESS Troubleshooting is about working through a sequence of questions until the problem, and answer, are ferreted out. • Is there power? Don’t just guess. Use your meter to confirm that it’s really there. • Are all the switches turned on? Ther e is usually more than one switch, such as the main po wer switch, the door interlock switch, and the gas valve on/off switch. Even though there’s no reason for any to be off, save yourself a lot of time and check them anyway. • Check the thermostat (which is another switch). Is it firmly mounted on its subbase? If it is electronic, is it turned on? Is it calling for heating or cooling? • Are all wires firmly connected? Turn off the power and wiggle them at their connection point. Loose connections cause “intermittents,” where sometimes things work, and sometimes they don’t. • Are all the wires connected where they’re supposed to be? Much more often the problem is lack of po wer or miswiring rather than a faulty electronic component .

THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR TROUBLESHOOTING A basic set of troubleshooting tools should include: • A digital multimeter. All you need is the two basic functions of volts AC (VAC) and continuity or resistance/ohms. A cheap meter will do, although the disadvantage of a cheap meters is that it may be a bit fragile and might not live as long as pricier ones. • A jumper wire with an alligator clip on each end. • Screwdrivers — at least one slotted and one Phillips head, and a Robertson is probably good to have in there too (don’t you love systems that use a variety of screws to hold themselves together). Better yet, toss a combination model into your kit. • Needle nose pliers. • A flashlight to use temporarily to locate the problem. • A light that leaves your hands free — either a headlamp or a hanging trouble light. • The troubleshooting chart on the inside of the equipment .

WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE IT WORKED RIGHT? Often a clue about what’s wrong can be found in the last thing done t o the equipment before it stopped working correctly. Was there a big lightning storm that might have burned a wire? Or, like in my case here, has something been added? If I had asked this question, maybe the new humidifier wiring would have come to mind as a possible problem sooner rather than later. Then again, I wouldn’t have ended up with a story to share, so all’s well that ends well, I guess.

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

It’s install time! The customer wants infloor heating and, after the summer of 2012 being so hot, she wants air conditioning as well. She is also thinking about some snow melting and maybe heating the lap pool. The proposal is now a high-efficiency 125,000 BTUH modulating/condensing boiler, indirect water heater, series loop low-temperature baseboard rads, two zones of infloor heating (the basement and the kitchen/master bath tiled areas), and a high-velocity air handler with air conditioning. Although the boiler has a 5:1 turn down ratio, the three-loop zone is a micro load so you add a buffer tank to ensure the boiler won’t short cycle. Based on the new schematic, answer the following: 1. The heating load didn’t change, but you have to connect to more heat emitters so you decide to: A) Go to the next size up in boiler capacity. B) Go up to a 150,000 BTUH model because now you are doing the all the basement infloor, and the kitchen and bathroom areas. C) Stay with the 125,000 BTUH model since it is now a condensing/modulating unit. D) Do the math and realize that you have more than enough capacity for the heating load. 2. In order to maximize boiler efficiency you select low-temperature baseboard rads so you can run the heating supply temperature at 140°F. These rads have a pair of 3/4" pipes, and the performance is best when running two parallel supply lines. To pipe the rads you are going to run with: A) A single 3/4" feed to both pipes. B) A 1” supply that will split and feed the two 3/4" pipes. C) Connecting just one of the 3/4" lines – that’s all you would do with normal baseboard. D) Using a 1-1/4” supply line, just to be safe.

Congratulations to Hardi Miroslav of R. Miller Plumbing, Heating and Electrical in Yorkton, Sask. He’s the proud new owner of a Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/4” Hex Impact Driver. Be sure to pick up the next edition of Mechanical Business to see who claims the next prize, and for the next edition of Find the Fix!

A) Who makes the smallest tank. B) Guess. C) The BTUs of the smallest load, smallest firing rate of the boiler, minimum boiler run time, and delta T. D) Why worry? Just use a hydraulic separator. It would work just as well. 4. Although the main sources of heat are lowtemperature baseboard rads and infloor heating, for a little extra money the high-velocity air handler can have a hot water coil for back up heat and quick recovery when using setback thermostats. What information would you need to size the supply and return lines to the air handler? A) The BTU capacity of the air handler. B) The BTU capacity of the house. C) The size of the fittings on the air handler. D) 1” should work fine.

Answer and win!

Looking for the answers?

FUEL YOURSELF UP!

The answer key for the July/August quiz is: 1-C, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D

Just send us your answer key to this month’s puzzle by November 15, and you could be sporting a New Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/4" Hex Impact Driver, courtesy of Milwaukee Electric Tool. Send your answers to adam.freill@mechanicalbusiness.com and the M18 Fuel tool could be yours.

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3. To size the buffer tank you need to know:

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If you need the quiz, check it out in our issue archive at www.mechanicalbusiness.com.

The Murelle HE provides domestic hot water on demand and central heating in one compact unit. Wall hung for the ultimate in space efficiency, this fully modulating unit comes complete with built-in circulator, expansion tank and air eliminator and is up to 97% (condensing) efficient.

Known worldwide as “The Intelligent Combi”, the Murelle HE is multi-zone capable, features a solar-ready PCB board and hosts a stainless steel heat exchanger covered by a 10-year warranty. PVC vent pipe approved, this contractor-friendly combi boiler is A.S.M.E and Energy Star certified.

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INFRARED HEATING

Andrew Merritt is the new business development manager with IR Energy Inc. He can be reached at andrew@irenergy.ca.

B y Andre w M e r r i t t

DINING AL FRESCO estaurant and bar owners are investing more money than ever on their outdoor patios. Part of this is due to the rise in popularity of outdoor living, but other reasons include an increase in capacity of facilities, as well as the extension of patio season.

One of the most popular and efficient ways to increase the amount of space available to patrons is through the use of infrared patio heaters. And business owners can choose from a wide variety of products to increase the comfort of their guests and improve revenues, often with the ability to match the aesthetics of their building.

Heater types times two At Glow Fresh Grill & Wine Bar in Toronto, tube heaters and mushroom-style heaters have been deployed to work with the layout of the establishment. Galaxy Gas Products, the Oakville, Ontario-based company that supplied and installed the heaters, determined that the tube heaters mounted on the outside wall of the restaurant could not reach the entire patio. To address the problem, the lower portion of the patio was outfitted with mushroom-style heaters to continue the heat pattern efficiently, ensuring that the patrons would be comfortable at all times. This arrangement is not uncommon. Contractors have realized the benefit of using both styles to allow for the heat pattern to be optimized while enhancing comfort for patrons.

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Being able to use the patio for an extra three to six months while receiving positive feedback from customers is a definite selling feature for contractors in the heating business.

PATIO TIME AT ANGUS GLEN Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont ario, was approached with the concept of installing patio heaters as an enhancement to the existing outdoor hospitality area. The club was concerned with the aesthetics of their unique clubhouse design, but could see the benefit of extending the use of the patio space. Pole-mounted heaters were piped and wired in a permanent configuration that best suited the Angus Glen table design and layout. The 53,000 BTUH heaters selected for the job provide two output settings, high and low, and were selected, in part, because of the efficiency of their design. “The heaters have proven to be efficient in service, and the unobtrusive design has incorporated well with our ambiance and clubhouse architecture,” commented Jeff Gifford, clubhouse and on-course operations manager at the club. “The heaters make it possible to enjoy the outdoor patio not just from mid-June to August, but also in the shoulder months – April, Ma y, early June, September and October – thereby increasing revenue,” says Gifford. A side benefit of having a well-heated outdoor patio is being able to accommodate guests who wish to smoke after a meal or round of golf. “The heaters are a welcome addition to our patio space. I’ve had nothing but good comments from the guests,” he added. B u s i n e s s

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Literature

Web Reviews AXC IN-LINE DUCT FANS

INFRARED HEATING: TWO-STAGE ADVANTAGES

Quiet, efficient and userfriendly, AXC fans are suitable for a variety of residential and commercial ventilation applications, including duct boosting and bathroom ventilation. AXC fans are available in sizes from 4" to 14", with airflows ranging from 147 cfm to 1400 cfm.

The HL3 Series, packed with quality features, represents today’s most energy efficient line of infrared tube heaters. Our patented two stage technology, incorporated into the HL3 Series, provides more comfort while saving valuable energy dollars. Contact us today for information on the complete Re-Verber-Ray product line. Call 1-800-387-4778.

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THE BEST VALUE & “ULTRA CONDENSING” EFFICIENCY

VALVE SYSTEM WITH EXTERNAL RESET Viking’s G Series dry valve system is offered completely pre-trimmed, including the grooved butterfly valve, air supervisory switch and alarm pressure switch. The G Series dry valve system includes an innovative external reset feature. Additionally, the pre-trimmed valves weigh less and have a smaller footprint than competitive products. Viking dry valves are available in 2”, 3” and 4” sizes.

KD Navien is the Leader in Condensing Tankless Technology with both Condensing Tankless Gas Water Heaters and ASME approved Condensing Combination Gas Boilers/Water Heaters in one. Navien products can reduce the cost of installation with the use of 3" PVC schedule 40 vent tube. Navien offers a 15 year warranty on the heat exchanger, 5 years on parts and 1 year on labour.

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RIDGID® RP210-B PRESS TOOL

NEW TECHNICAL LITERATURE

The RIDGID® RP210-B Press Tool is the smallest and lightest press tool in the RIDGID product line.

Learn more about tekmar HVAC System, Zoning & Alternative Energy Solutions with three new promotional brochures. Within these brochures you will find product comparison charts, application drawings and detailed information about tekmar features including Outdoor Temperature Reset, Indoor Temperature Feedback and Zone Synchronization. Printed copies are available through local representatives.

With the ability to make presses on ½” to 1-¼" (copper & stainless) or ⅜” to 1-½” (PEX), the RP210-B makes reliable connections in seconds.

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CONTROL ALGORITHMS

B y R o d n ey D. M . B r an d o n

THINK FOR TEMPERATURE I

n previous articles we looked at how variable speed pump control can provide energy savings and stable temperature control, with comparisons to fixed-speed pumps and bang/bang pump control.

When all is said and done , the goal of the HVAC system and its control scheme is to pro vide and maintain a comfortable temperature within the occupied space, so is there a better process variable to base control on than temperature itself? The setpoint T variable-speed pump control algorithm – and yes, T is for temperature – can be used in numerous applications, and best of all, temperature is easy to perceive, measure and control, making it a great place to star t. Until recently, all of these setpoint T control algorithms required the installation and set-up of a discrete temperature controller. Now, more sophisticated variable speed circulators include the basic algorithms embedded within the circulator speed control, requiring only the connection of a thermistor or smart thermostat with modulating output, and a few application parameters to be entered to effect the complete control algorithm.

PRIORITIZING CONTROLS Beyond the temperature setpoint, additional controls should follow an order of hierarchical priority (1 being highest):

1. Warm Weather Shutdown – Over-ride the call for heat if the outdoor temperature exceeds a maximum setpoint (for example 22°C/72°F).

In the future, smart circulators are expected to become more sophisticated yet, including increasingly advanced control schemes and over-rides. This is something to start looking into, if you aren’t already incorporating smart circs in heating system design.

2. Slab Freeze Protection – Even without call for heat, except during warm weather shutdown, maintain a minimum slab temperature of 4°C (40°F). 3. Slab Thermal Shock Protection – Ramp up the slab temperature setpoint slowly to maintain a maximum delta T between slab return and supply to prevent possible fracture. 4. Boiler Return Temperature Protection – Reduce the injection pump speed, even if slab setpoint T is not met, if the boiler return drops below condensing temperature.

This is an example of a standard feedback loop that’s based on temperature. The pump motor is the controlled device, whose speed and flowrate are set by the temperature controller.

5. Domestic Hot Water Priority – For a period of time, heating zones are ignored if necessary to maintain the DHW setpoint temperature. 6. Snow Melt Activation – Apply a precipitation/temperature sensor to activate the system when snow or freezing rain is present. (Note that for critical applications, such as a hospital ambulance entrance, this may be the highest priority over-ride.)

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Typical Setpoint Temperature Values Domestic Hot Water Non-Condensing Boiler Return Radiant Floor Occupied Space: Seniors Building/Hospital Residential Cooling Residential Heating Warehouse/Storage Snowmelt Pavement 1 0 . 1 2

60°C (140°F) 60°C (140°F) 27°C (80°F) 27°C (80°F) 24°C (75°F) 21°C (70°F) 18°C (65°F) 3°C (38°F)

• Pri or i t i z i n g c o n t r o l s • Th e U n iver sal Hyd r o n ics Fo r m u la THE UNIVERSAL HYDRONICS FORMULA If the universal hydronics formula is manipulated to BTUH = GPM x Delta T x 500, then it is easy to see that, if everything else remains equal, if flowrate is increased, then the thermal energy distributed is increased as well. The fluid temperature may be fixed or variable; if the latter, perhaps based on a boiler outdoor reset control scheme (the subject of a future ar ticle). A temperature sensor, monitoring the temperature of the occupied space, provides the feedback to the temperature controller, which then speeds up or slows down the pump, as required to raise or lower the BTUH injected into the system to achieve equilibrium between the setpoint and actual temperature. The following setpoint T application examples demonstrate the different ways that setpoint T control can be used to maintain the temper ature of the occupied space.

GPM = BTUH / (DELTA T X 500)

FAN COILS

In the example above, the primary loop may feed as many secondary loops as there are zones to be controlled in the building. The setpoint temperature is fed into the temperature controller. The temperature setpoint may be a fixed value or a signal supplied by a smart thermostat or building automation system. For illustration purposes, let’s say the setpoint temperature is 22°C (72°F). When the measured temperature tries to fall below 22°C, the variablespeed circulator is sped up. Conversely, when the measured temperature tries to rise above the setpoint, the circulator is slowed down.

A hierarchical scheme of control over-rides may be applied to increase system protection from numerous application variables that could otherwise damage system components, or cause inefficient operation.

BOILER BYPASS

In this example, the non-condensing boiler must be protected from condensing flue gas, should the boiler return temperature drop below the condensing setpoint, let’s say 60°C (140°F). When the measured temperature at the boiler return drops to the condensing prevention setpoint, the bypass pump turns on and is set to the speed required to bypass some of the boiler discharge to the return, to ensure the condensing temperature is not reached. This is a little different than the fancoil application where the controlled temperature is maintained at setpoint. In this example, the boiler bypass algorithm allows the controlled temperature to be any value greater than setpoint.

RADIANT INJECTION MIXING Let’s say that the setpoint temperature of the radiant loop is 27°C (80°F). When the measured temperature of the radiant loop starts to drop below that setpoint the injection loop circulator is sped up, injecting more BTUs into the radiant loop. When the measured temperature starts to go above 27°C, the injection circulator is slowed down, reducing the BTUs injected into the radiant loop.

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SUSTAINABILITY PROFILE

B y K ar en Fan t in

DESIGNED FOR THE NOW, AND FOR THE THEN

MITIGATING HVAC DEMANDS The use of any given space in the 740,000 sq. ft. centre at SAIT will likely change many times over the course of the complex’s life cycle – for example, classrooms may become labs or shops – and with each change, so too will the ventilation requirements change. That is why project engineers at SNC Lavalin chose to install enthalpy recovery wheels.

eyond the impressive façade of SAIT’s $400 million Trades and Technologies Complex are many features aimed at conserving resources now, and well into the future.

As a result of a desire to limit its environmental footprint, the school engaged SNC Lavalin to create ventilation, heating, plumbing and water systems that would not only make the facility energy efficient, but would also make it possible for the structure to evolve as programs and practices advance in the years to come.

The enthalpy wheels exchange heat and humidity from one air stream into another, salvaging useful energy transferred heat to help condition incoming fresh air. The result is a reduction in cooling demand in summer, and heating demand in winter, saving both energy and money.

The results of the project, which has received world-wide interest, were unveiled with an official opening on September 15 of this year.

“Enthalpy recovery ventilation systems can recover 70 to 80 per cent of the energy in the existing air and deliver that energy to the incoming air,” says Brad Strueby, project manager at SNC Lavalin. “These systems are particularly efficient in climates like ours where we often experience extreme summer and winter temperatures.”

continued on page 110

DID YOU KNOW? According to a third-party review of the energy model, SAIT’s Trades and Technologies Complex has a modeled overall energy cost saving of 30% when compared to a conventional building of similar occupancy. 108

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ONE PIPE CAN DO SO MUCH “We’ve been using Aquatherm for 4 years and are very satisfied with our results and the of work we can achieve with it. Aquatherm’s advantages are: speed of installation, labor savings, and not having to worry about jobsite theft or damage.”

quality

“The quietness of the pipe is a big benefit for this large commercial and residential project – with water flowing through it you don’t even hear it. And the ease of installation and how and clean it is to work with are also major benefits.”

John Price, President, Price Plumbing Ltd., Riverview, NB

quick

Rick Dearing, Owner/President, Red Deer Plumbing, Red Deer, AB

“Aquatherm has so many good characteristics. It will last the of a building. It is much lighter than other metals, and isn’t going to get stolen like copper. Its flow rates are far better, and it has a natural insulation value.”

lifetime

Jim Myers, Owner/Manager, Jeda Mechanical, North Vancouver, BC

“We were introduced to Aquatherm when it became available in our area and have enjoyed great success using it. When compared to copper piping there is also a in material costs and the product is far less likely to be stolen.”

savings

Glen Gardiner, Estimator, Mr. Plumber, Blair LaPierre Inc., Charlottetown, PEI

“We’ve worked with Aquatherm for the last four years, and have done several projects in Vancouver and Saskatchewan. The benefits of the Aquatherm system were . It was easier to work with since it is lighter than steel or ductile iron.”

superior

Hermann Koechl, Project Manager, GML Mechanical Ltd., Delta, BC

change what’s possible www.aquatherm.com 403-809-8707

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SUSTAINABILITY continued from page 108

USING WASTE HEAT The mechanics of heating and cooling water production are important at any time of year, regardless of the temperature outside. To keep hot water production energy efficient, SNC Lavalin installed economizers on the lead boiler flues. These units capture waste heat and recycle it to meet the hot water needs throughout the building. They also improve boiler performance by preheating the return water entering the boiler, reducing overall fuel requirements, and ultimately boiler operating costs. Heating water loops were circuited so that the water must first pass through the building’s terminal heating units before entering the glycol heat exchangers. This results in lower heating return water temperatures which reduces pumping energy.

SPOT TROUBLES BEFORE THEY BECOME A PROBLEM.

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SAIT’S TTC RECEIVES SILVER LEED CERTIFICATION SAIT Polytechnic’s Trade and Technology Complex is built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver standard, which will result in reduced energy use and significant cost savings. Among the mechanical components that helped the facility achieve the standard are: • Low-flow fixtures; • Flue gas economizers; • An efficient chilled water system; • Instantaneous water heaters; • Enthalpy recovery wheels;

Consult our technical experts ...

• Variable speed drives on fans and pumps;

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• A cascading heating water distribution system; and

• A building energy measurement and verification system; • High-efficiency boilers.

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COOLING THE SERVER

THE MECHANICAL SYSTEM, BY THE NUMBERS: • Twelve 100% outside air handling units with heat wheels totalling 335,000 L/s air flow.

Chilled water production for efficient air conditioning design has become ever more important as new generation servers consume more power and produce more heat. Because the main computer server room for SAIT’s entire campus is located in the Trades and Technology Complex, controlling the environment (temperature, humidity and filtration) is vital to IT systems reliability. SNC Lavalin designed a hybrid server room cooling solution, consisting of screw chillers and outdoor dry coolers to meet the continuous demand for chilled water. With the addition of chilled water fan coil units located in the server racks, cooling effectiveness is maximized and users have the comfort of predictable cooling, and plenty of headroom for future growth. In summer, the dry coolers reject the heat from the chillers until ambient temperature reaches an acceptable level, at which time the chiller is turned off and chilled water is produced using only the dry coolers.

• Three mixed air handling units totalling 92,000 L/s air flow. • Six 1,750 KW heating water boilers. • Two central plant steam-to-water heat exchangers totalling 10,500 KW • Six 285 KW instantaneous water heaters.

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SAVING WATER AT SAIT Water efficiency and conservation were a top design priority for SNC Lavalin when designing the Trades and Technology Complex plumbing system at SAIT. At present, the facility uses approximately 40 per cent less water than a conventional building of similar occupancy. Water, energy and money are saved through the inclusion of low-flow electronic plumbing fixtures, and and faucets have been equipped with low-flow aerators to reduce water use at washroom sinks to six litres per minute. And while not necessarily water savers, the tankless instantaneous water heaters used at the site are saving other resources by producing hot water only when needed. The units automatically turn off when not in use, eliminating potential standby losses, and they have a smaller footprint than more traditional water heating options.

1-855-71-4HVAC (4822)

www.mckeoughsupply.com Hamilton 240 Nebo Road Unit 3, According to Natural Resources Canada, commercial and institutional buildings are responsible for 14% of the country’s energy consumption, and produce 13% of the country’s carbon emissions.

Brantford 360 Elgin Street, Chatham 30 Dover St., Collingwood 25 Sanford Fleming Unit 2, London 91 Enterprise Dr., Sarnia 281 Campbell St., Waterloo 35 Baffin Place. M e c h a n i c a l

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B y Den ise D eveau

ABOUT THE BUILDING Located in downtown Toronto, Good Shepherd Ministries provides services for homeless people and others in need. The Good Shepherd Centre, located at 412 King Street East, is the oldest of three buildings owned by the organization. Built over a century ago, the multipurpose three-and-a-half-storey building houses offices, residences and a soup kitchen. It was built in 1914 as a parish hall for St. Paul’s Basilica, and over the years the building has housed shops, a cinema, professional offices and a gymnasium. The Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd took possession in 1963, and a ma jor renovation was undertaken in the 1990s.

WARMING UP TO SMART TECHNOLOGY C haritable organizations don’t always have the budget to implement the latest and greatest in energy-saving technologies, but landing upon the right mix of capable volunteers, supportive suppliers and a bit of creativity to make all the parts fit, brought comfort and energy control to one such organization in Toronto earlier this year.

The Good Shepherd Centre, one of the Good Shepherd Ministry’s main buildings, had an outdated heating system – or more correctly, a wide array of systems that serviced the disparate parts of the facility – and a control system that matched the variety of terminal units in use at the site. Not one to shrink from a challenge, Craig Flatley, manager of Complete Mechanical Heating & A/C in Toronto, volunteered 112

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to take on the task of upgrading the centre’s thermostat control systems to improve energy efficiency and comfort levels within the building. The building is serviced with a combination of 15-year-old rooftop heating and cooling units, as well as electric space heating units. Individual thermostats were located throughout the building. “Some were programmable, some weren’t,” Flatley says. “It was a real mix and match.” Even those that were programmable weren’t being used as they should be, he reports. “Some people didn’t know how to program the ones that were there and, the stats weren’t maintained very well.” As a result, individuals were simply changing settings when they felt the need. Given the mix and match nature of the entire setup, Flatley decided the best thing to do was to replace as many thermostats as possible with a standard model. “In that way we could get everything consistent and managed from one place.” Flatley approached ecobee, who donated refurbished Smart Thermostats to help the cause. The residential grade wi-fi enabled units feature a simple programmable touchscreen continues on page 114

System 636® Flue Gas Venting System As a contractor, lists are a part of your day. Materials lists, ‘to do’ lists, requirements lists; in fact, the list of lists goes on and on. But when it comes to your flue gas venting requirements, we’ve made the list for you. Options that cover Class IIA (PVC – 65ºC) and Class IIB (CPVC - 90ºC) Robust Schedule 40 thickness pipe and fittings to resist impact and puncture Permanent and leak free solvent weld jointsproviding the ultimate in pull out resistance and safety Complete size range of long radius true 1/4" bends (90º) Certified vent termination options Flame and smoke listings for code compliant plenum and high rise installations Listed fire-stop systems and products readily available Low drainage grade for tight ceiling spaces (1/4" per foot) Plain End pipe with reusable cutoffs to reduce jobsite waste Minimal maintenance system that does not require an annual inspection A System that is manufactured in Canada and available coast to coast Sales support, technical assistance and field training Added benefit: knowing products are backed by Canada’s leading plastic pipe manufacturer So when it comes to flue gas venting systems, there’s really only one product that will meet all your requirements – System 636® by IPEX. One less list for you to do. A little more time for you to, you know, enjoy your coffee.

For more information visit www.ipexinc.com/system636

For Flue Gas Venting Applications Product manufactured by IPEX Inc. System 636® is a trademark of IPEX Branding Inc. S636

Call 1-866-473-9462 or visit www.ipexinc.com/system636

HVAC

continues from page 112

reports that show equipment performance. In addition, alerts can be set up to notify managers if temperatures are deviating outside of set parameters.

interface. “We think of it as an iPhone for your wall,” says ecobee vice-president of marketing Chris Carradine. The wi-fi enabled technology allows users to access the units via iPhone, Android or BlackBerry devices, or they can login to a personal web portal to remotely control features and functions such as run times. Users, or the servicing contractor, can also perform remote diagnostics and troubleshooting, as well as display HVAC

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The centre is currently using the residential version of the product, which Carradine says made the most sense for the application, “But it can easily be upgraded to the commercial level with a simple software change – no hardware change is required.” The only additional installation requirement at the centre was a wi-fi router in order to get it all up and running. With the system good to go, maintenance operator Wondy Ghessess says he now has the ability to program fan control and occupied/ unoccupied settings, among other features. “This makes it so much easier for me since I can control the thermostat from my office. I can even check from home whenever there is a problem.”

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He has also programmed the system to display alerts for routine maintenance needs, such as filter changes. Depending on the weather conditions, Ghessess checks the system up to three times a day to ensure the settings in all locations are appropriate. In colder conditions, check-ins can be every two hours.

CONDITIONING EMPTY SPACES One of the he biggest issues with the centre’s heating system, Flatley says, was fan timing and unoccupied settings – or lack thereof. “Some areas were running fans 24/7 because they didn’t have occupied/unoccupied set points on the thermostats. In spaces where there was electric heat, they were maintaining occupied temperatures in the middle of the night when no one was there.”

REGULAR

CONTRACTOR

INPUT

Thanks to the programmable features and online access of the smart thermostat system he installed at the Good Shepherd Centre, Craig Flatley has the ability to login to the system via a web portal, and typically signs on once a week to make sure things are trending correctly, and to see if support is needed. “I can monitor the system from my own computer and check things out before having to make a call. Sometimes it’s just a matter of the thermostat not being programmed properly, or someone has made a change that needs to be looked at.” Flatley says he considers programmable smart thermostats to be very powerful tools. “You can control things and get help remotely, which makes the return on investment very easy. In other projects, having that capability has prevented us from making quite a few service calls because we can deal with the problem from here. If we don’t have to go to the site, no one gets billed.”

CONTROLLING THE CONTROLLERS Unlike the plastic cases used in many places to control access to analogue or basic digital thermostats, which kept temperature control in the hands of those with keys – or a strategically bent straw – the latest generation of digital thermostat technology uses password protocols that can be set to restrict individual access. If the administrator prefers not to lock out certain users, they can create a setting in the web portal to allow employees to adjust the temperatures by a certain number of degrees for a designated period of time, after which the thermostat will revert back to the regular schedule. “That’s a fantastic feature for facility management,” Carradine notes. “Managers can control an unlimited number of thermostats in multiple locations from one portal – in some cases up to 200 sites.”

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MAINTENANCE

B y M elissa W ad kin so n

FULL STEAM AHEAD

HOW TO MAINTAIN A STEAM BOILER SYSTEM (AND WHY IT MATTERS) BOILER SAFETIES, CONTROLS AND INTERLOCKS One of the most critical aspects of any maintenance program is ensuring safety controls and interlocks stay in good working order. Controls on steam boilers include water level controls, the high pressure limit control, operating control and flame safeguard programmer. Water level controls are critical to prevent accidents caused by boiler overheating as a result of inadequate water level. Not only will the boiler be damaged if overheating occurs, but there is a strong possibility of an explosion. Functionality of water level controls should be checked once a shift in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Most steam boilers have at least one water level control (cutout) that is a manual reset control. Lowwater cutout safeties must never be bypassed. The manual reset high pressure limit control prevents the boiler from operating above a set pressure predetermined by the boiler manufacturer. The set point of the high pressure limit control is based on the design pressure of the boiler, and will shut down the boiler in the event that the boiler operating controller fails. The operating control works in conjunction with the flame programmer to maintain the desired steam pressure. The operation of these controls should be verified annually, or per the manufacturer’s guidelines.

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ith the high cost of fuel, hardships associated with unexpected plant shutdowns, and potential for major system damage, a preventive maintenance plan with boiler combustion analysis is critical to maintaining boiler performance. A maintenance plan should include verification of boiler safeties and combustion analysis, but should not be limited to the boiler alone. Maintenance should include a review of the entire system including piping and components.

The following recommendations provide general guidelines to developing a maintenance program specific to your system, in addition to complying with the manufacturer’s specific recommendations. Even the best designed system will provide less than optimal results if regular system maintenance is ignored. The recommendations presented here are general in nature. Specific equipment manufacturers should be consulted for recommendations specific to the boiler system being worked on. Failure to follow the equipment manufacturer’s recommendation can result in increased maintenance and fuel costs, equipment failures, system damage and even loss of life.

ENSURING PROPER FUEL SUPPLY The most common fuel train codes for boilers are CSD-1 or NFPA 85, depending on the input of the boiler, jurisdictional regulations and/or owner’s insurance requirements. Common components within the fuel train include fuel pressure regulators, safety shutoff valves, pressure switches and vent valves. Annual maintenance of these components should be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, and leak testing of the fuel valves should be performed in accordance with the recommendations of the fuel train code. Failure to perform maintenance on these components may result in improper fuel supply to the boiler, or fuel leaking into the boiler when it is not in operation. Both items are safety concerns.

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• S a f e t i e s , c o n t r o l s an d in t er lo cks

COMBUSTION CONTROL AND FIRING RATES All modern steam process boilers should be controlled correctly to ensure they are being operated at peak efficiency and firing rate. This may be accomplished through installation of a modern direct digital control-based system (DDC) that has been properly programmed for the installed system and load. Not only will the system reduce energy consumption, but it will also allow for the monitoring and trending of operational data. Effectively controlling boiler operation to match the steam load requirements decreases boiler cycling and reduces maintenance costs. A combustion analysis should be performed twice a year to ensure the burner is operating as intended with the appropriate emissions levels. Incorrect O2 levels can reduce efficiency and performance of the burner. High carbon monoxide (CO) levels are an indication of unburned fuel during the combustion process. Not only does this reduce the boiler efficiency and cause sooting, but the high CO level can be explosive. Burners should be inspected annually, or per the manufacturer’s recommendations, to ensure all items are in proper working order and show no evidence of wear, cracking or soot build up. Monitoring the stack temperature of the boiler on a regular basis can provide a baseline indication if the burner is in good working order.

Reverse Osmosis/Deionized water systems convert water to ultrapure water. Used with a stainless steel pressure vessel, this combination will produce very high steam quality.

GETTING THE CHEMISTRY RIGHT The boiler water chemistry must be maintained as per the boiler manufacturer’s recommendations. Water chemistry should be sampled in feed water, condensate return and boiler water. Water softeners, carbon filters and chemical feed systems may be incorporated to achieve proper water chemistry. Controlling the amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) in a boiler is critical to prevent scaling of the boiler, moisture carry over, and bouncing water levels. To control TDS, boilers should utilize a surface blowndown, located a few inches below the boiler water line, to remove the concentrated dissolved solids in the water. Blowdown separators and tanks include special features to insure safe boiler blow down.

All boilers are equipped with a bottom blowdown for removal of heavier particulates and solids that fall to the bottom of the pressure vessel. Blowdown arrangements may be manual, timer-based or conductivity-based. Bottom blowdown of the boiler should occur once a day, or per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Suggested Steam System Component Maintenance Schedule

LOOKING BEYOND THE BOILER

Component/Action

When designing a maintenance program, it is important to include both the system and ancillary equipment. The system should be reviewed for leaks at flanged or threaded connections, valves and pumps. Leaks should be repaired immediately. When reviewing the system for potential leaks, remember to inspect all hand holes and manways. Gaskets in these openings should be replaced per the manufacturer’s recommendations. As steam provides heat, it condenses. Condensate must be removed from the system or it will inhibit heat transfer. If the condensate is allowed to collect, it may be entrained in the steam flow and cause water hammer and serious system damage. Well-designed steam systems include many steam traps to block the condensate, and to allow it to be drained from the system.

It is important to note that steam traps may fail in either the open or closed position. Both types of failures reduce the effectiveness and efficiency of the process. A good maintenance program will include verification of trap operation annually, or if there is indication of water hammer or improper heat transfer.

Minimum Recommended Verification*

Water Level Controls Bottom Blowdown Stack Temperature of Boiler High Pressure Limit Control Operating Controls Fuel Train (Overall) Burners/Combustion Analysis Fuel Train – Leak Testing Water Chemistry

Once per shift Once per shift Once per shift Annually Annually Annually Twice per year Per applicable fuel train code Per Mfg. recommendation

*These recommendations do not substitute for manufacturer recommendations. Refer to manufacturer recommendations for your specific equipment, as well as jurisdictional codes.

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SNOWMELT B y Al l a n B l a c k

THE GOAL:

SAFETY

Drain it right Slab surface drainage is critical to snowmelt performance. Proper drainage reduces

THE STRATEGY:

PROPER INSTALLATION operating cost by speeding up evaporation and reducing the amount of water that needs to evaporate on the surface. Evaporation can add considerable cost to a system as it is another phase change, and all phase changes have a latent energy requirement. Poor slab drainage can cause pooling on the detector surface. A detector sensor that is below grade or badly aligned will attract melt water and will cause the system to operate longer than necessary, resulting in wasted energy.

aking use of proper ice/snow detection equipment, system design, and equipment sizing practices gives a snowmelt system a head start. Orchestrated properly a snowmelt system helps avoid unsafe slushy and slippery conditions by warming a slab just enough to evaporate snow on contact as it is falling.

Melting snow should not be confused with, or viewed as, an extension of indoor radiant floor heating design. Indoor radiant is usually put to work in a largely captive envelope that is not usually open to atmospheric conditions, and there is no need to factor in for phase change. Also, there is no surface drainage requirement – at least we hope this is the case.

cold atmosphere. And, if the atmospheric temperature drops too much, your customer could end up with a skating rink instead of the clear, dry helicopter or parking pad they desire.

For proper snowmelt performance, the system designer must factor in the latent heat of fusion. This is the additional heat needed to cause a phase change (snow to water, or water to vapour), and it takes a significant amount of energy to actually cause a phase change. Changing ice to water takes 144 BTU/lb.

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Apart from sizing the heat source and designing the slab heat media correctly, another critical element of the overall system is getting control of it. The ice/snow detector and controller will do its job well if the math and equipment are in harmony.

If we look at five pounds of snow just below the magic 32°F melting temperature, 750 BTU per sq. ft. is needed to actually cause the change of state from solid to liquid.

This starts with a sensor or detector housing that should be buried in a strategic location in the slab. Another option is the use of aerial snowmelt detectors, which are also available. The detector will connect with the heat source to tell it when BTUs should be sent to the slab.

If the system cannot provide the additional heat, melting can stall during the phase change, creating a big “slushy” for the customer. This slush can cause energy to be wasted through radiation and convection from the surface of the slush into the

To accomplish zoning of a large slab, or to accommodate drifting snow conditions on parts of the slab, more detectors can be used.

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your sensor locations, orientations or placements. The detector housing must always remain level in all directions against any grade or slope. This will ensure proper moisture detection and evaporation, so as to enable its algorithm to perform accurate response and timing. A detector that is not level will be off calibration and can terminate melting operation prematurely, usually with unpleasant results.

It is important to always keep a level head above water. The detector head itself may compare polarized variances for moisture detection, as well as fixed temperature range coordinates, to enable its control algorithm. Or it may use optical light refraction coupled to moisture detection. In either case, proper installation of the detector housing within the slab is critical to operation. Very often, the people who pour the slab are not the same ones accountable for snowmelt performance. So, if system performance falls on your shoulders, it will pay to work with the other contractor to ensure that his crew does not impact

Annual performance maintenance should include inspection and, if necessary, detector head realignment.

Melting snow Snow is made of ice crystals with a specific heat of 0.51 BTU/lb. To melt snow to water, the temperature of the snow needs to be brought up to 32°F. If eight inches of dense snow at a temperature of 22°F weigh five pounds, then it takes about 26 BTUs per square foot to bring the temperature to around that magic 32°F mark. continues on page 120

PEOPLE.. PEOPLE SOLUTIONS.. SOLUTIONS VALUE. V A ALUE. Industry leading service. It It’s ’s what we do. With 20,000 parts stocked on the warehouse floor, floor orr, an in-house training facility to teach your installers the best techniques on the latest systems, and engineering sup support with deep experience in hydronics—we h have what you u need. W e can even find the We ma manual for you. Because it it’s ’s our bus business to support yours.

Call a us at 1-866-594-0767 orr look us up at CIPHEXWEST, P PHEXWEST T, Booth #742

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SNOWMELT

TOOL TIPS

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Pressing to impress ptions abound when it comes to connecting pipes, and while a good torch kit and a flame-resistant shield should be musts in the tool bag – or at least in the back of your truck – a more recent addition to the connection arsenal has been press fittings, which require a different set of tools.

Available in both copper and stainless steel, press fittings are now offered by quite a number of companies, and are one of the fastest growing segments of the North American mechanicals marketplace.

Design considerations If you are working with press fittings, be sure to allow room for the clamping jaw and press fitting tool when designing the pipework layout.

Slab idling Idling a slab, where it is always “ON” between two fixed outdoor temperatures, can be a useful strategy in some applications. Typically, this option is explored where waste heat is available – which usually means in a commercial, institutional or industrial project – or when there are insufficient BTUs on demand, under some outdoor conditions, for an area that is deemed critical to keep snow free. Idling solves the problem of trying to anticipate weather that may suddenly change from extremely cold, to snow-friendly conditions, on a frozen slab, particularly with systems where the slab just can’t warm up fast enough. But without available waste heat idling can be a very expensive solution.

Tools for the fittings can either be proprietary to the fitting supplier, or more universal from third-party suppliers. If working with nonproprietary pressing tools, ensure that that jaw of the tool is designed for the brand and size of fitting being pressed; otherwise the connection may not be completed properly. The key to a properly installed fitting is constant and accurate pressure during the pressing, so look for professional-grade tools that indicate when a connection has been properly made. Since you’ll be using this equipment on a professional jobsite, it won’t be unusual to be pressing joints all day, so the weight of the tool should be a factor in your tool-buying decision. And these tools have a scheduled maintenance component to them, to ensure that they are properly calibrated for accurate fitting installations. Look for tools that list a large number of connections between required calibrations, to minimize tool downtime.

And, while idling will help a system ramp up quickly, there are conditions where even the most robust system just cannot deliver enough BTUs to the slab to offset the ambient weather conditions. An “extreme cold weather shutdown” should be included in the control strategy. This is to prevent creating an ice rink when there are insufficient BTUs available as atmospheric temperatures continue to drop.

Think density, not depth Snow tends to accumulate with a density of between one and 18 per cent of the weight of water. The U.S. National Oceanic survey suggests that most snow falls in a density range of 13 per cent, which apparently translates as, for a given diameter sample, eight inches of snow will melt to end up with about one inch of water, with the right amount of BTUs added.

Controller functions Typically, a detector system has three functions: 1) To sense ambient temperature and a moisture coefficient so that the heating system can “arm” the snow melting loop.

Sponsored by Milwaukee Electric Tool – a proud partner with Mechanical Business. Look for video tips, tools and reviews at www.milwaukeetool.com. Be sure to visit mechanicalbusiness.com for your chance to win valuable Milwaukee products and merchandise!

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2) To terminate the process when temperature and moisture coordinates no longer apply. 3) To provide a timed drying period to evaporate any remaining slab surface moisture – for years, train railways have actually de-iced switching systems this way. 1 0 . 1 2

HYDRONIC Flush indoor sensor The Indoor Sensor 084 from tekmar is designed to mount flush or nearly flush to walls, acting as a hidden indoor sensor. Its operating range spans -51°C to 60°C, with a relative humidity of less than 90 per cent. It can be painted to match a wall’s colour, and it’s compatible with the company’s thermostats that support auxiliary sensors.

www tekmarcontrols.com

High-efficiency condensing boiler The Evolution condensing boiler from Thermal Solutions offers heating inputs ranging from 750,000 to 3,000,000 BTUH at a thermal efficiency of 97 per cent. The unit features a gasketless header design and NOx levels below 9 ppm, and it operates with a return water temperature as low as 50°F and as high as 70°F.

www. thermalsolutions.com

Residential gas boiler Available in four models, with heating capacities ranging from 65,000 to 161,000 BTUH, Weil-McLain’s GV90+ gas boiler has an efficiency rating of 91 per cent AFUE and features a cast iron primary heat exchanger and condensing stainless steel secondary heat exchanger. Its minimum vent size is three inches, and it offers multiple venting options, including direct vent, direct exhaust and concentric.

www. weil-mclain.ca

Wall-hung boiler

Variable-speed circulator Taco’s Variable Speed Delta T 00 is designed for residential and light commercial applications. It automatically adjusts to deliver optimal heat transfer based on a system’s operation under changing conditions. Users can dial in desired temperature drops (from five to 50°F) and attach the included supply and return sensor to the pump to improve system efficiency through automatic adjustments.

Raypak’s XPak wall-hung boiler is designed to achieve 92.6% AFUE at full fire and up to 4.4:1 modulation. It features an extruded 6063T1 aluminum heat exchanger and comes in two models with inputs of 87,000 and 120,000 BTUH. The unit can be vented with 3” CPVC piping in its standard configuration.

www. raypak.com

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ROAD WARRIOR

B y Jeb R o b er t s

Photos: Brian Hawkes

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Name: Kristi Hansen Company: The Pretty Plumbing Company, and Pretty Projects Inc. Job title: Owner, operator, big cheese, general contractor Tenure: Started Pretty Plumbing in 2004; incorporated Pretty Projects in 2010 Age: 39 Born in: Prince George, B.C. Lives in: Squamish, B.C. Family: Married with two children In the mechanical industry since: 1992 Trade school: British Columbia Institute of Technology

F a v ouri te t o o l i n y o u r t o o lb o x: “ M y t een y t in y cr escen t wr en c h.”

Favourite thing about the job: I get to be me without any judgement. If I worked in an office, I’d get some funny looks, but roofers and welders get along with me really well. I get a lot of hugs from crying clients, too — that’s sweet. Time behind the wheel per day: I drive for anywhere between zero and four hours a day. Service area: It used to be the entire Lower Mainland of B.C., but these days I’m sticking closer to Squamish. Any area you like to get dispatched to? It’s all the same to me. Every single job is different, but I do like service work, as it’s a quick turnaround. What radio station do you listen to during the day? It’s more iPod related. Latest job site: My computer. I’ve started consulting with homeowners online. It’s super cool and it broadens my client base! What’s your latest project there? I’m writing a doctor’s note for a home seller who had an inspector claim that his “garburator is sounding rattly.” Umm, garburators are often rattly — there are metal blades swinging around in there! Fondest memory on the job? Being horse-traded on a pipefitting gig. Seven guys were traded for me. That sounds egotistical, but it’s quite an event for a chick in the industrial world. Favourite tool in your toolbox: I’d like to say it’s my 24" aluminum pipe wrench, or my vintage wood handled wrench, or my sweet TurboTorch that’s 15 years old and solders 2" pressure copper like no man’s business. But my favourite and most useful tool is a teeny tiny crescent wrench. It looks like it should be on

a keychain, and I used to get laughed at for it. Then those laughers then found themselves asking to borrow it. It’s silly, but it’s the most useful tool! Favourite band/performer: Crispin Earl is a well-known rock star, and he currently plays with the Veer Union. He has one of my favourite voices. I can’t believe how talented and diverse he is, and it makes no difference that he’s also my brother! Best concert you ever attended? That would have to be my late good friend Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys. R.I.P., buddy. As someone else said, heaven just got a whole lot funkier. Cancer sucks. Favourite movie: Anything from Wes Anderson! Favourite magazine: I like lots of magazines: Dwell, Timber Home Living, Elle, Wooden Sailboat, Thrasher ... and I love your magazine! Thank you for all the awesome information you pass along to everyone, and for how often you celebrate green and environmental options!

Favourite place to hang out: Any place where there’s an interesting landscape, water and quiet. Favourite outdoor activity: Flying! I’m a recreational pilot. And sailing! But I'm a passenger in that deal. Favourite drive-thru restaurant: I don’t do drive-thru. It wreaks havoc on my guts. Favourite local haunt for lunch: Cactus Club Cafe Favourite food: Sushi Last book you read: Joe Simpson’s Touching The Void. He’s a true testimony to what the human spirit can endure. My rule of thumb is: Get good first; then get fast! And always measure twice!

Favourite cartoon as a kid: Transformers, G.I. Joe, He-Man and Bugs Bunny. Favourite sport: That I’m good at? Snowboarding. That I suck at? Golf. To watch? Tennis. Favourite car: I was going to say that I do trucks, not cars, but then I remembered my ’65 VW Beetle, Sprout.

DID YOU KNOW? Kristi used to produce Slam City Jam, the North American Skateboard Championships. “It was the second largest skateboard competition in the world, and I worked with two other women to pull it off for about five years.” M e c h a n i c a l

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CONTROLS

B y E r ic R im l

POPULAR FEATURES, AND WHEN TO USE THEM T he hydronics market is now rife with its own terminology. Terms such as setback, indoor/outdoor reset, zone synchronization, and integrated feedback are advertised on many products, but not every option will suit every project. So, which options are worth the money for the project at hand? To explore some of the options in the mar ketplace further, and to help simplify the discussion, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focus on three standard structures: a new twostorey home; an older, ranch-style house; and a warehouse with an office. The new two-storey house has a basement and is heated entirely with slab and gypcrete. The house is heavily insulated, even the basement. Because of the high-mass slabs, the heating cycles are going to be long, meaning that it will take four to eight hours for much of a temperature change to occur.

TWO-STOREY HOUSE

RANCH HOUSE

The older, sprawling ranch house is on a single storey with a basement area thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only half the area of the main floor. This house has been added onto gradually, and is heated with panel r adiators in each room. It has 10 zones, and some areas don't see frequent use. Over in our warehouse, the ceilings are 16 feet high, and the office is at one corner, along with the mechanical room and a bathroom. Otherwise, the building is rectangular and quite lar ge, with large bay doors that are frequently opened and closed, even in winter. WAREHOUSE

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• Se tba c k i s g o o d , f o r s o m e • C o n t r o ls wo r kin g wit h co n t r ols SETBACK IS GOOD, FOR SOME The concept of scheduling a system so that it operates at a lower temperature when the areas it serves are not in use does work for a large number of the systems that exist. Its use can save energy, and money, which is why it is getting pushed by manufacturers, government subsidies, and even homeowners. But it's not always the best idea. Unfortunately, the savings from setback depend greatly on how fast the building can be heated back up, as compared to the time spent at the lower temperature. Remember, we're comparing the cost of buying and installing the equipment to the savings from using it. One of the reasons why setback is pushed so much is because furnace-heated houses benefit greatly from them. It’s no secret that a lot of furnaces are oversized. This makes them more than capable of recovering quickly from setback. And they are usually controlled by a single thermostat – so upgrading to setback is quite inexpensive. On hydronics installations, we shouldn't be installing setback as a given. The system needs to be examined for response and recovery times. Beyond the structure of the heating system, for setback to work properly the home or building owner needs to live up to their end of the bargain. Will they go through with the hassle of setting up the thermostat to match their schedule? It's very rare for a contractor to return often enough to tweak setback to where it needs to be, so to work effectively the system needs a committed user. Both the ranch house and the warehouse from my examples would benefit from setback, but I would give it a pass for the two-storey house, since the slab will take too long to come back up to a comfortable temperature range. In the case of the ranch house, I would only use setback on the areas that were in common use, and leave the guest areas set to a more permanent “away” temperature.

CONTROLS WORKING WITH CONTROLS When the boiler system's outdoor reset control and the thermostats in the building are all sharing the same information, it can be said that the system has integrated feedback. Without integrated feedback, the two controls systems would work independently and, under some conditions, could create an uncomfortable condition. Take a homeowner who sets back the house overnight, thinking to stay under his warm blankets and save money, but then wakes up to a cold house in the morning. Why? Well, the sun came up in the mor ning and the outside temperature rose as well. In response, the outdoor reset droped the supply water temperature at the boiler just as the house was attempting to come out of setback, extending the necessary run time to bring the home back to the desired daytime temperature. Enter integrated feedback. Suddenly the boiler's outdoor reset and the actual indoor temper ature control (thermostat) are connected and can react intelligently to things like setback. In these types of systems, thermostats act as sensors for a main control that fires the heating plant. These systems are best used in buildings where doors are frequently being opened and closed, or continued on page 126

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with other intermittent heat sources, such as lights, people and equipment that continually affect the building's indoor temperature. The bigger the building's heat load, the more money that can be saved with this slight, but constant, optimization. This option also gives the most comfort for the occupants, but comes with a complex installation and setup . The warehouse from the example buildings is actually the best candidate for this kind of function. There will be few zones to buy thermostats for, the building will be unoccupied for long periods (weekends and evenings), and the building will have rooms with very different heat profiles – in this case, the office and the main warehouse .

Maximizing indoor-outdoor reset Often referred to as simply “outdoor reset,” this function adjusts the supply water temperature as the outdoor temperature changes. Someone once described it to me as having a little gnome in your boiler room, looking at a thermometer outside and adjusting your boiler up or down with every little change in the temperature outside. This function works best when you have slow-reacting heating types, most especially slab or high-mass cast-iron rads. It makes a lot less sense with fan coils or low-mass convectors, simply because they do not have a long cycle time, and they are designed to run at higher minimum temperatures.

GROUPING

HEAT DEMANDS

You likely won't have heard of zone synchronization unless you've been to a course on advanced thermostats. It's now possible for thermostats to communicate as a group so that the cycle star t times are coordinated between zones to allow for longer on and off times. This helps prevent short-cycling of onoff equipment, because most of the load happens at the star t of each cycle, so the heating source can feed heat to each load and then modulate down or even shut off if required. This type of system is best used when faced with o versized equipment, or a non-modulating heating plant that tends to short cycle a lot. In practical terms, this could result from a situation where the homeowner has bought an oversized conventional boiler and expects the contr actor to create an efficient, long-lasting system with lots of z ones. From my examples above, the old ranch house would be the best candidate for this type of functionality.

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Tel: (905) 857-9755 www.easyflexusa.com 126

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HYDRONIC

Vertical in-line pump Armstrong’s Design Envelop IVS Twin vertical in-line pump combines two variable-speed rotating assemblies in one shared casing. The pump has a maximum head of 120 feet, flow of 1,300 gpm, operating pressure of 175 psig and operating temperature of 250°F.

www. armstrongpumps.com

Wet rotor circulator The Magna 32-100 from Grundfos is a variablespeed wet rotor circulator with flow rates ranging from 0 to 52 gpm and a head range of zero to 34 feet. The unit accommodates a fluid temperature range of 2°C to 95°C, and it comes equipped with a permanent-magnet rotor and integrated frequency converter that are designed to increase efficiency.

www. grundfos.ca

To calculate the internal heat gain generated from an electrically operated device in a space, multiply the wattage of the device by 3.413. The result is a heat gain measurement in BTUH.

Heat transfer fluid Noburst -100 from OS&B is a non-toxic propylene glycol–based antifreeze and heat transfer fluid designed to prevent damage from freezing for water-based heating or cooling systems. It contains a de-foaming agent and corrosion inhibitor, and it can be used in systems where there is potential contact with potable water.

www. osb.ca

Stainless steel manifolds Available in one- to 12-branch pairs, Watts’s Stainless Steel Manifolds can be used to control fan coils, baseboard units and in-floor heating. The manifolds are constructed of 1” steel and are designed to handle 12 gpm with a maximum flow rate of 87 psi and maximum operating temperature of 194°F.

www. wattscanada.ca

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HVAC/R Products P Combination wood furnace Napoleonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hybrid HMF200 combination wood furnace has an input capacity of 200,000 BTUH, and features an efficiency rating of 85% with emissions of 4.5 grams per hour. It has a six-inch flue and optional stainless steel oil combustion and heat exchanger module. It can automatically switch from wood to oil or electric. The unit can also be used with the company's 9600 series 96% AFUE gas furnace.

Industrial infrared heater

napoleonheatingandcooling.com

Designed for commercial and industrial applications, the Series TA/TX/TXR two-stage gasâ&#x20AC;?fired infrared tube heater from Superior Radiant Products offers heating capacities of 40,000 to 220,000 BTUH. The unit is available in lengths from 10 to 70 feet, and uses natural gas or liquefied petroleum. It uses a jet stream burner design and is equipped with parabolic aluminum reflectors.

Programmable digital thermostat Designed for commercial and residential buildings, The Dwyer Series LVT digital thermostat and heat-pump control allows separate programming for weekdays and weekends, and up to four programmable events per day. The device stores set points to eliminate the need for seasonal reprogramming, and internal jumpers let users select engineering units, time delay between compressor starts and fan-controlled heating type.

superiorradiant.com

dwyer-inst.com

Dryer Booster Fan Improve dryer efficiency Reduce drying time / energy costs Fewer service calls Simple installation

Current Sensor

Pressure Switch

Timer

Lint Trap

CONTINENTAL FAN CANADA INC. __________________________________ MISSISSAUGA, ON BUFFALO, NY DAYTON, OH T: 800-779-4021 W: continentalfan.com 128

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Available in non-programmable and five-and-two-day programmable models, Venstar’s BatteryStat thermostat can be powered by two AA alkaline batteries or with 24vac power. The unit, which provides backup for power outages, can be used with two-stage heating and one-stage cooling systems. An LED indicator glows green in cooling mode and red in heating mode.

Designed for use in HVAC, water and compressed-air systems, Cimberio Valve’s Fastlock system consists of malleable iron press fittings for Schedule 10 through 40 black and galvanized steel pipe. The fittings are available in 1/2" through 2" sizes and feature a corrosion-resistant coating. Each fitting contains a wide EPDM gasket and a 316 stainless steel gripping for air- and water-tight seals.

www. venstar.com

www. cimberiovalve.com

Available in two- to five-ton models, Luxaire’s Acclimate packaged dual-fuel heat pump is designed to achieve efficiencies of up to 14 SEER and 8.0 HPSF. The unit is equipped with a two-step compressor, which handles both two-stage cooling and heat pump operations, and can be combined with a two-stage gas heating module.

www. joinluxaire.com

Coleman’s Echelon Model 8000 has a capacity of 23.3 gallons of humidity per day and is designed to humidify a 5,000-square-foot home. The unit boils water using electricity and manages the water level to ensure 11.5 amps of electricity are used during operation, whether installed with 240v, 208v or 120v. The unit can be mounted directly on the duct or about 20 feet away from where steam enters the duct.

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BigEZ Dye Injection Kits from Spectronics allow technicians to add precise amounts of fluorescent dye into air conditioning and refrigeration systems without wastage. Each kit features a dyeinjector assembly, a precision-calibrated dye cartridge, an A/C hose/coupler with check valve and 1/4" flare low-loss fitting, and a purge fitting. Each fourounce cartridge contains enough fluorescent dye to treat up to 60.8 L of lubricant, or approximately 180 kg of refrigerant.

www. spectroline.com

The Bell & Gossett System Syzer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Psychrometry is a PC application designed for engineers who deal with coil-cooling challenges. The tool lets users graph cooling processes, chart heat-transfer direction, calculate multiple psychrometric characteristics based on two inputs, and calculate mass flow and cooling loads.

www. completewatersystems.com

Simply the Right Energy EfďŹ cient V

Designed for both residential and commercial buildings, the YES IMS is an indoor air quality â&#x20AC;&#x153;intelligent monitoring systemâ&#x20AC;? featuring 10-channel sensor capacity. Measurements include internal relative humidity and temperature, up to seven additional gas sensors, and a remote gas sensor. The device is available in a wall-mount version or as a portable desktop unit.

www. critical-environment.com Premium Bath Fans

Heat Recovery Ventilators

Dryer Booster Fans

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Oscillating tool Intended for a range of cutting, grinding, scraping and sanding applications, the Bosch MX30E Multi-X oscillating tool has an amp rating of 3.0A and an adjustable speed of 8,000 to 20,000 oscillations per minute. It features a toolless accessory change lever and a reinforced gear housing.

www. bosch.com

Inspection camera Ridgid’s micro CA-25 is a 17 mm handheld aluminum inspection camera with a one-handed pistol grip. The 1.3 lb. device’s 2.4” colour LCD display has 480 x 234 resolution, provides 180-degree digital rotation and incorporates four adjustable LEDs in the camera head.

www. ridgid.com

Magnetic tape measure Available in metric units, Stanley’s FatMax magnetic tape rule is a 1-1/4”, 25 foot tape measure designed for professional users, including HVAC technicians, electricians and plumbers. A rare Earth magnet secures the tape to metal, and a magnetic hook helps to ensure accurate measurements within 1/32 inches. The magnet has a holding force up to four pounds.

www. stanleytools.com

Five-blade hand crimper The Redline C5R from Malco is a five-blade hand crimper designed to produce self-supporting, leakproof connections in sheet-metal duct and pipe. The tool features compound head-to-handle linkage and a weather-resistant nickel-plated finish.

www. malcoproducts.com

Press tools Milwaukee’s ForceLogic press tools for copper- and steel-pipe press connections feature a one-handed, in-line design that works with a variety of press systems. Powered by the company’s M12 or M18 batteries, the tools monitor force output and offer visual feedback to indicate secure connections as well as when the tools need calibration.

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PLUMBING Designed to prevent overheating due to scale formation in tankless water heaters, the OneFlow antiscale system from Watts treats water to prevents and treats scale problems to avoid heater malfunction. The system has a service flow rate of 0.5 gpm to 10 gpm and can operate to a maximum pressure of 90 psi within a temperature range of 2°C to 38°C.

www. wattscanada.ca

Designed specifically for System 15 and System XFR PVC drain-waste vents, Ipex’s MJ Grey mechanical couplings are available in 8", 10" and 12" configurations. The couplings, which feature a stainless steel band with a grey rubber gasket, can be used as an alternative to solvent cementing on large-diameter joints.

ipexinc.com

Saniflo’s Sanicubic is an above-thefloor simplex grinder system that can handle multiple waste fixtures for both residential and commercial applications. The pre-assembled unit features four inlets and a onehorsepower grinder pump that can discharge up to 36 feet vertically or 328 feet horizontally.

saniflo.ca Delta’s Allora kitchen faucet series features pull-down functionality in its kitchen and bar/prep models. The faucet is available in the brand’s Chrome and Arctic stainless steel finishes, and a coordinating soap dispenser is available.

deltafaucet.ca Kohler’s Octave kitchen sink features double bowls and a curved basin that accommodates larger cookware. The sink is made with 18-gauge stainless steel, and its accessories include a bottom basin rack and sponge caddy that fits over the sink saddle. Topmount and under-mount designs are available in one-, three- and four-hole configurations.

kohler.ca

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PLUMBING

The Retroceptor from Green Turtle Technologies is a compact, retrofitfriendly grease interceptor that uses non-removable baffles to create patented flow characteristics. The unit connects to standard PVC drain piping and is available in five sizes with grease capacities ranging from 50 to 100 lb. and flow rates ranging from 25 to 50 gpm.

www. greenturtletech.com

Dahl’s Skirted Toilet Kit uses the bathroom’s existing stub-out to eliminate the need for re-piping. The kit features 1/4 turn on/off valve, and it’s available with inlets for copper, PEX, iron and CPVC pipe.

Designed to deliver instantaneous tepid water to emergency safety showers and eye/face washes, Bradley’s Keltech Tankless Tempering System maintains temperatures within one degree of set point under constant flow and pressure. Under changing flow rates, the unit is designed to purge heat, keeping output below 90°F.

www. dahlvalve.com

www. bradleycorp.com

Now available in sizes up to up to 18” for water mains and high rise buildings, Aquatherm’s Greenpipe is a polypropylene-random (PP-R) piping system using heat-fusion connections that is designed for potable water applications. The pipe, which as an R-value of 1, can be directly buried in soil, sand, concrete and rock.

Available in four models with inputs ranging from 199,000 to 500,000 BTUH, the Keystone condensing water heater from Triangle Tube features a stainless steel heat exchanger with a thermal efficiency between 95 and 97 per cent. The water heater has a 5:1 turndown ratio, and up to eight units can be joined in a cascade.

www. triangletube.com

www. aquatherm.com

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CASE STUDY

B y R o n ald Gagnon

RADIANT SHINES IN CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS MECHANICALS ON THE PROJECT: • Canadian Tunnel (passive geothermal) to precondition the fresh air. This alternates with a solar wall, as outside conditions warrant. • Reverse-flow high-mass energy exchanger. • Rain water harvesting system. • Ultra low-flush toilets. • Greywater harvesting system. • Waterless urinals. • Battery-less, photovoltaic-powered motion-activated faucets and flush valves.

hen Schluter-Systems, a Germanbased company that makes membranes and insulated support products used in plumbing and hydronic projects, built its Canadian headquarters in Montreal, the company decided to put its engineering prowess to the test.

THE COMPOSITION OF THE LOW MASS FLOOR: A 4” concrete slab poured on a steel deck; A soundproofing membrane; Schluter’s own Bekotec panels, which act as the piping support grids, insulation and over-pour leveling reference; HePex piping; A 3/4" thermal floor self-levelling overpour; Schluter’s Ditra uncoupling membrane; and A porcelain tile surface.

The 66,000 sq. ft. LEED Gold facility uses a combination of low and high inertia zones to balance comfort and costs. A high-inertia zone is used in the warehouse and workshop area, while a low-inertia zone encompasses the office, meeting rooms, lobby and lunchroom. The office area uses a hydronic radiant system throughout the surface of the ground floor, while the second and third floors are equipped with radiant on a 20-foot perimeter of the spaces.

Apart from the garage section, which uses a conventional six-inch insulated slab on grade with tube spacing according to load, the rest of the office section was built with fast-response, lowinertia radiant floors. This design was used because offices are areas where thermal loads can vary rapidly and frequently due to changes in occupation density, solar gain, etc. Installing a conventional high-mass floor in the office areas would have generated frequent cycles of overheating and overcooling caused by simple condition changes, such as clouds blocking or unblocking the sun. Going with low-mass floors allows the mechanical systems to be able to react promptly and efficiently to changing situations. In cooling mode, the floor handles 40 per cent of the sensible load. The rest of that load, and the latent load, are handled by water-to-air heat pumps. Using this arrangement, the system is able

Did you know? The system at Schluter has more than eleven miles of radiant tubing laid in the slabs.

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Ronald Gagnon, president of Concept-R Inc., is a sustainable building specialist and has been active in the industry since 1986. He can be reached at ronald.gagnon@conceptr.ca.

THE PLANT to address the solar heat gain absorbed by the floor and prevent it from being retransmitted to the space by convection. The system is not actually trying to cool the space with the floor, but rather is preventing it from warming up. That may seem to be a subtle difference, but it is fundamental to the issue of comfort. The floor never drops below room temperature, but neither is there any gain. In heating mode the floors handle the majority of the load. The adjustment and trim capacity are taken care of by local heat pumps. Local DDC controls maintain set points while supervising slab temperature and dew point conditions. Slabs are monitored to maintain a 2°C delta T above dew point temperature at all times. In heating mode the slabs are kept at a minimum of 20°C in unoccupied periods. This is done to avoid cold mass effect in the morning, even though the air side has a lower unoccupied set point. By contrast to the office areas, the warehouse and workshop floors have heavy-mass, high-inertia floors. This area is served by limited glazing (window openings) so most of the natural light is supplied by skylights that have very limited contribution to the space heat gain. As such, the load does not suffer rapid changes due to solar heat gain. Occupancy is stable as the plug load, which in turn means that fast response of the floors is not a requirement. Due to the nature of their function, these floors are 12” thick and very heavy. Their high inertia allows for stable temperature conditions, and the heavy slab is able to store energy. In hot summer conditions, if the outside temperature rises more than 25°C by 9 a.m., the warehouse slabs are cooled down to 18°C until noon, at which point the chilled water supply is cut and the mass of the slab is left to play its role. This strategy frees capacity to actively serve the office side. By using the slab as thermal mass storage, it is possible to downsize the cooling plant by 20 per cent. Since the building uses a geothermal cooling plant, that downsizing represented a substantial initial capital cost reduction for the building.

CUSTOMIZED CONTROL Suppose during an unoccupied period, such as a Satur day morning, a member of the st aff has to enter the premises. He enters the underground garage using an access card. This opens the garage door, disarms the intrusion system, lights up the garage, authorises elevator operation, lights up the path to his sector, lights up his of fice or work area, and re-establishes occupied set points to normal comfort settings. Upon his departure, the system will automatically reverse it all, returning the building to its unoccupied settings.

The building is served by a network of 17 water-to-air geothermal heat pumps, which range from two to five tons, as well as one water-to-water 30-ton reversible chiller. The main advantage of a distributed network of units is the ability t o address changing needs in time as units can be permuted and reassigned according to changes in use. The other significant advantage is the elimination of the single point of failure. If a unit goes out of ser vice the building is not crippled, and normal operation can continue. On the energy efficiency side, having smaller units that closely f it with the natural zoning of the building suppor ts optimized run time as no reactive loads have to be handled. The chiller handles all the hydronic radiant floors and fan coils. The heat pumps are hooked up on a network of 450-foot deep bore wells, each with a pair of 19 mm HDPE loops (f our pipes per well).

Literature

Web Reviews

WIRELESS TEMPERATURE MODULE The Beckett AquaSmart is a universal boiler control designed for use on residential and light commercial boiler systems. It provides up to 20% savings on fuel consumption through the integration of the Beckett HeatManager dynamic temperature reset or its advanced Wireless Temperature Module. The AquaSmart is part of Beckett Canada’s commitment to “Technology Made Simple.” For more information please visit us at online or at www.facebook.com/BeckettCanada.

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RLDVIEW Jeff Patchell

The great debate:

in Australia

Washdown vs. Siphonic he conjecture over what constitutes water efficiency, with particular attention paid to water efficient toilets, has been raised since “sustainability” became a buzz word, and then a fact of life. There is a scepticism about water efficient toilets, particularly in your part of the world (North America) where a large proportion of the population feel they fail to flush as much waste down the line, and therefore don’t save water because they require double flushing.

Putting them to the test Koeller and Gauley conducted an experiment using two contemporary toilet models with the same flush volume to flush a single test specimen. Each toilet was tested 13 times, each test using a single flush, and the specimen travel distance was recorded. The results were then sorted from shortest distance to the longest distance and plotted in the chart shown. The results of the testing did not support the belief that washdown toilets will transport waste a greater distance along a drainline. And oddly enough, the chart supports the exact opposite conclusion.

OVERCOMING FRICTION John Koeller and Bill Gauley’s study Evaluation of Water-Efficient Toilet Technologies to Carry Waste in Drainlines explained that, “Waste resting in a drainpipe will form a loose dam that will cause an upstream backup of water (and potentially more waste). The water will continue to backup behind the dam until a sufficient mass of water (and waste) is accumulated to overcome the friction between the dam and the pipe wall, thereby essentially flushing the pipe in one large surge.”

Download the full study report at: www.map-testing.com.

But John Koeller and Bill Gauley, of MaP toilet testing fame, report that this is one of the many myths surrounding low-flow flush technology. Another fallacy, they say, is that washdown toilets (the kind used in Europe and Australia) transport waste farther along a building drainline than siphonic toilets (the kind used in most premises in North America).

the bowl water and waste through the trapway and into the drainline.” Washdown theory would seem to have some merit. It has a greater volume of trailing water to push waste further through the drainline. However, no single flush will transport solid waste from the toilet to the sewer system.

“The reasoning behind this statement is the belief that washdown toilets have a higher percentage of ‘trailing’ water [water following the waste] and a lower percentage of ‘leading water’ [water in front of the waste] than siphonic toilets,” Koeller says. “Washdown toilets quickly ‘dump’ the entire volume of flush water from the tank into the bowl and onto the surface of the water in that bowl. This ‘plug’ of water pushes the water and waste in the bowl through the toilet trapway and down the drainline. Siphonic toilets, on the other hand, use the siphonic action of water discharging from the fixture to pull

“In reality, a toilet flush only moves the waste out of the toilet fixture and some distance along the drainage system,” Koeller explains. “Subsequent flushes, as well as supplemental flows from showers, baths, faucets, clothes washers, etc., help move the waste along until it ultimately reaches the sewer.”

Jeff Patchell is managing director of Connection Magazines Pty Ltd. He operates www.worldplumbinginfo.com, an online plumbing industry knowledge bank. 141

Compiled by Mechanical Business

POCKET POWER

$1,228.11 Value of tools and gadgets r eplaced by some of the most popular apps installed on an iPhone.

8 POUNDS Weight of the collective tools that the smartphone replaced.

BREATHE EASY

DRIVEN BY DATA

15 MICROGRAMS

2 MILLION

The average level of atmospheric PM10 – air pollutant particles small enough to damage lungs — in Canada’s air. The global average, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), is 22 micrograms.

Number of queries Google’s sear ch engine receives every minute. In those same 60 seconds, worldwide users generate 204 million emails, 684,000 Facebook messages and 100,000 tweets.

HELP IS ON THE WAY 430,452

Number of registered apprentices (all trades) throughout Canada in 2010 — a 5.2 per cent increase over 2009.

MIND THE GAP

36,290

Number of male students enrolled in an HVAC/R training program in Canada during Statistics Canada’s most recent census on education.

390

Number of female students enrolled in the same programs.

36,018

Number of certificates issued to Canadian apprentices in the same year, a 6.9 per cent increase.

POTABLE SMILES

90%

Percentage of Canadians who claim they ar e happy with the quality of their domestic water.

Sources: Air Canada Centre, RBC, Canadian Tire, CMHC, Statistics Canada, Industry Canada PM# 41536047 Postmaster: Please send all address changes or undeliverable copies to: Mechanical Business, 19 – 1525 Cornwall Road, Oakville, ON L6J 0B2

142

M e c h a n i c a l

B u s i n e s s

1 0 . 1 2

@V\Y QVI Q\Z[ NV[ LHZPLY OS&B™ is proud to announce we are now the exclusive distributor of PRIER® freezeless hydrant products in Canada. PRIER® began producing products for the North American market in 1881. With 131 years of experience, PRIER® products are unparalleled for their quality and ease of installation. PRIER® produces freezeless quarter and half turn residential and commercial wall hydrants, commercial roof hydrants, bury hydrants and sill faucets. Available exclusively from OS&B™.

5VY[O (TLYPJHU 4HKL J <7* *LY[PÄLK 5V *HSSIHJRZ 5V^ H]HPSHISL [OYV\NO `V\Y MH]V\YP[L >OVSLZHSLY For more information contact your OS&BTM Representative or log onto www.osb.ca.

Refreshing.

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ure Water by Watts is a nice change. Your customers will like the easier installation and better-thanbottled water quality. What youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find refreshing are the new opportunities Pure Water offers for new and incremental business. t *OOPWBUJWF UFDIOPMPHJFT customers already want t 'JMUSBUJPO TPGUFOJOH disinfection and conditioning t #SPBE BSSBZ PG GJMUFS DIBOHF LJUT BOE SFQMBDFNFOU DBSUSJEHFT including competitorcompatible options t #BDLFE CZ 8BUUT RVBMJUZ support and quick-turn BWBJMBCJMJUZ

Founding Sponsor

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A Watts Water Technologies Company