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g Air n i r p S ing n o i t i Cond ue Iss
Cooling with ice Reduced equipment load saves energy and cost
INSIDE Q Ban sought on furnace use for construction heat Q National trade show sees increased attendance Q PEX gaining ground for commercial systems Q Making social media work for your business APRIL 2016
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Q Contents
Spring Air Conditioning Departments Hot Seat .........................................5 Protecting the home buyer
Industry News ..............................6 Construction heat use wrecking furnaces
Training ........................................47 Apprentices compete at CMPX
People & Places ...........................50 Wolseley acquires drain business
Shop Management .....................52 Getting to grips with social media
Coming Events ............................54 Oil heat industry Charlottetown bound
Products & Technologies Plumbing......................................12 Air Conditioning..........................20
Working at heights training Our resident plumber explains what’s involved
Refrigeration ...............................30 Heating ........................................38 Site Safety ...................................44
Features
Tools & Instruments ....................49
Commercial PEX market expands 12 Larger pipe, fittings help make it practical
Cover: Adding an ice energy system resulted in cost and energy savings. Please see our article on page 20.
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Air conditioning do’s and don’ts Compact inverter systems require different approach
24
Coal-fired no more
34
Old generating plant converted to state-of-the-art office April 2016 – Plumbing & HVAC
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Q Hot Seat
April 2016 Volume 26, Number 3 ISSN 1919-0395
Publisher Mark Vreugdenhil (416) 614-5819 mark@plumbingandhvac.ca
Protecting the homeowner A move by heating equipment manufacturers to prohibit the use of new furnaces for construction heat effective Sept. 1 is long overdue. As reported elsewhere in this issue, the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) has managed to convince its manufacturer members that this step is needed following about 15 years of costly repairs – and sometimes complete furnace replacement – on furnaces that have been damaged by sucking in drywall dust and other construction debris in new construction projects. Prior to 15 years ago the world was a happier place because the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) simply didn’t allow the practice. However, the rules were relaxed when CSA realized (after considerable lobbying from builders no doubt) that some manufacturers didn’t specifically prohibit the practice in their operating instructions. The rules in the CSA B149 Natural Gas Code state that the furnace must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, so if the manufacturer’s instructions prohibit the use of the furnace for construction heat it effectively becomes code. That’s pretty weak. The new construction market is extremely competitive and it only takes one manufacturer to break rank, remove the
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prohibition on construction heat use from their instructions, and the whole thing falls apart. It may also open up established manufacturers to competition from the makers and distributors of cheap offshore products that will do anything to get into the market. It seems to me that by putting the onus on manufacturers to deal with this, CSA is sloughing off its primary responsibility, which is to protect the Canadian public. In my mind the CSA needs to state in no uncertain terms in the B149 gas code (and the B139 oil code) that under no circumstances are new forced air heating appliances to be used for construction heat. That would create a level playing field for the industry and protect the consumer. The builders would adapt. They use new furnaces for construction heat because they can. It’s easy and cheap. If that option were removed, there are many other options, albeit not as inexpensive. But it’s the builders’ problem. Our industry doesn’t need the headache.
Editor Simon Blake (416) 614-5820 simon@plumbingandhvac.ca National Sales Manager Mark Mierkalns (416) 614-5832 markm@plumbingandhvac.ca Design and Production Tim Norton/Janet Popadiuk production@plumbingandhvac.ca Circulation Manager Dorothy Lai
PLUMBING & HVAC Magazine is published eight times annually by Marked Business Media Inc. and is written for individuals who purchase/ specify/approve the selection of plumbing, piping, hot water heating, fire protection, warm air heating, air conditioning, ventilation, refrigeration, controls and related systems and products throughout Canada.
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Q Industry News
Damaged during construction HRAI seeks ban on use of furnaces for construction heat By Simon Blake
Surrounded by debris and with the drywall yet to be taped, using this furnace for construction heat will likely cause damage.
6
Plumbing & HVAC – April 2016
Just about everyone agrees that using residential forced air furnaces for construction heat is a bad idea. Drywall dust and other construction debris leaves the new homeowner with what is basically a used furnace that may neither perform as intended nor last as long as it should. “The main problem is dust… Debris gets tossed down the supply and return ducts. It’s a mess,” remarked Joe Krebs, contract manager for Applewood Heating and Air Conditioning, Mississauga, Ont. “There have been so many issues with this; the biggest one being that the residential customer is taking over their new home and in actual fact they are not getting a new furnace. Who knows what kind of stress it has been under and for how long when it is used during construction?” remarked Warren Heeley, president of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI). Contractors face callbacks and added labour costs. Manufacturers have spent a staggering amount of money over the years on warranty repairs. “You do notice damage,” said Krebs. “You’re replacing high and low limit switches because the furnaces are cranked up high and the windows are left open. Filters aren’t being cleaned…” Often contractors will get a service call during construction because the electronics on today’s units are more sensitive and will shut the unit down if, for example, the filter is clogged. “It definitely costs everybody money and reduces the life of the furnace,” he added. “Builders won’t stop doing it because it’s the most cost effective way for them to heat the house.”
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End to practice sought However, manufacturers and HRAI have teamed up to end the practice. HRAI is urging all furnace manufacturers to revise their furnace installation manuals to prohibit gas furnaces from being used in construction heat effective Sept. 1. “I think finally we’ve got to the point where the downside of this to the homeowner, the equipment manufacturer and the contractor has finally come to the fore,” said Heeley. “We can’t keep doing this. The contractor is going to back up that warranty work on to the manufacturer, so they’re paying to repair these furnaces – brand new furnaces – because they were using them improperly.” There is a significant cost to contractors as well, noted Krebs, because callbacks often occur after the 60-day period during which the manufacturer covers labour, not to mention the cost of having an employee tied up who is needed elsewhere. At this point, HRAI has the support of all its member forced air furnace manufacturers. However, it only takes one manufacturer to defeat the plan. “If one breaks rank, then he has an advantage with whatever builder he is selling to,” Heeley noted.
Code change ruled out HRAI decided against trying to get the CSA B149 gas code changed to prohibit the practice. If manufacturer’s instructions prohibit it, the code would back them up because furnaces must be installed and operated in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. “The authorities more or less said that’s really the furnace manufacturer’s issue; if you don’t want your product used that way, then you have to state that in your instructions …” said Heeley. It hasn’t always been than way, reported HRAI in a position paper released Jan. 29. Until 2000, the CSA B149 code prohibited the practice. However, some manufacturers
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did not specifically state that in their instructions, leading the CSA to revise its gas furnace standard to allow furnaces for construction heat if certain criteria were met. The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) in Ontario realized that this was in conflict with the Ontario Gas Utilization Code and subsequently, on Feb. 1, 2000, stated that gas furnaces could be used for construction heat where permitted by manufacturer’s instructions and where manufacturers have issued letters of authorization to inspectors to allow it. And that’s when the problems began. A
operating condition. The responsibility therefore fell onto the installing contractors. Not much has changed in 15 years, except that cleaning the new high efficiency furnaces is even more difficult. If the secondary coil becomes clogged with drywall dust sucked down the return vent the entire heat exchanger must be pulled to do a proper cleaning. The inspection process involves more than a quick look – the entire blower assembly must be removed, taken apart and put back together. These steps are seldom done and the furnace operates poorly and doesn’t reach its stated efficiency.
I think finally we’ve got to the point where the downside of this to the homeowner, the equipment manufacturer and the contractor has finally come to the fore
Action at last
significant number of HRAI members voiced concern that contractors and builders were not, for the most part, complying with TSSA’s advisory, resulting in damage to the furnaces. TSSA staff, at that time stated that it would be easier to enforce a prohibition as opposed to inspecting for certain criteria. HRAI had also received a request from the Toronto Residential Air Handlers Group (now the Residential Heating Ventilation Contractors Association or RHVCA) asking manufacturers to change their position and not allow furnaces to be used for construction heat since it quickly became apparent that builders were not ensuring the furnaces and ductwork were cleaned and put in good
In the fall of 2015, once again the RHVCA reported to HRAI that proper procedures were not being followed and called for a prohibition on the use of furnaces for construction heat. HRAI received an overwhelming response from manufacturers and contractors who agreed that a prohibition is in the best interest of all groups involved in this issue -homeowners, manufacturers and contractors This position was endorsed by the HRAI Manufacturers Board in November. Gas utilities are also becoming involved. Since Jan. 1 Enbridge Gas Distribution has required home builders to pay for an inspection to ensure the home is ready – all closed in – for construction heat and forbidding anyone other than their own employees from turning on the gas. “They do an inspection and they won’t turn it on in a home that isn’t clean and ready,” said Krebs. HRAI officials note that homebuilders have alternatives such as natural gas and propane construction heaters. While the Sept. 1 deadline is not far away, it will allow manufacturers sufficient time to revise their instructions and inform the industry that, as of that date, new furnaces cannot be used for construction heat.
April 2016 – Plumbing & HVAC
7
CMPX attendance numbers up Sometimes it pays to take the bus. In the early morning when Nico Marcantonio boarded a bus at his local Bardon Supplies wholesaler in Welland, Ont. to travel to the CMPX Show in Toronto, little did he know that he would come home the owner of a brand new trade van. But at the end of the show, which took place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre March 16-18, the technician with Pac Heating & Air Conditioning, also in Welland, turned out to be the lucky winner of the grand prize draw for a new Chevrolet City Express van outfitted by Farmbro, Mississauga, Ont. Marcantonio wasn’t the only one smiling and he wasn’t the only one who came on a bus. Various wholesalers sponsored a total of 29 buses – double the number from the previous show in 2014 – that brought contractors and their employees from across Ontario, reported
show manager Patrick Shield. Those added buses were at least partly responsible for an increased registered attendance from 13,592 in 2014 to 14,738 this year. The number of people that identified themselves as plumbing and/or HVAC/R contractors was up from 3364 in 2104 to 3663. The number of consulting engineers doubled from 176 to 380. Student numbers were down due to March Break. Seminars at the show floor Learning Forum were also well attended, averaging 31 participants with over 50 in some. The early morning keynote sessions averaged about 85 participants. “I think just about everyone was very happy,” remarked Shield, noting that most of the post-show surveys of exhibitors came back positive. As always, there are things that will be fine-
HRAI president Warren Heeley, second from left, presents Nico Marcantonio with the keys to his new van. Also on hand were, from right, Phil Lemay (Pac Heating & AC), Jeff Monforton (GM), Eddie Stoncius (Farmbro), Barb Tate (Applewood) and, at left, Fred Dixon (GM). tuned for the next Canadian Mechanicals and Plumbing Exposition, which is scheduled for March 21-23, 2018. For more information visit www.cmpxshow.ca.
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Q Letters
Dear Editor: I really enjoy receiving Plumbing and HVAC but have to admit I was a bit surprised to see the cover on the Jan/Feb, 2016 issue. I have sold and read through the manuals for a variety of tankless manufacturers over the years but have never seen venting like that shown on the cover approved for Canada. As
the voice of Canada’s mechanical industry, the cover photo is confusing and should not have appeared in the magazine. Moreover, the photo on page 16 is good but the page 19 photo is a good candidate for a poster child of a cheap, down and dirty installation. There are lots of contractors that offer quality installations where it is clearly
evident that the installer had a level and showed up to do the job right. The other fault I find with the article is that there is no mention of condensate neutralization. While I do have a vested interest in neutralization (we represent a line of neutralizers), there are three main points installers should be aware of: 1. While it is not a code requirement (in Ontario), a number of municipalities require neutralizers on high efficiency gas appliance condensate lines. 2. Many homes built in the 1950s through the early 70s have copper drains. For these homes, a neutralizer is a must as untreated condensate, which is very acidic, will rapidly corrode the copper and will likely lead to a very costly and disruptive repair. 3. For homes with septic systems a neutralizer is a very inexpensive device that helps protect the bacteria in the field, which could be adversely affected by untreated condensate. There needs to be a mea culpa. No floggings required, but hair shirts may be worn in penance. Keep up the otherwise stellar work! Patrick Scantlebury Jess-Don Dunford Ltd Guelph, Ont.
Warranty difficulties
I have ended my association with the company after coming to the conclusion that these large corporations have lost their connection to people. They are number crunchers and if there is a way to deny warranty coverage they will find a way to do it. I lost thousands of dollars in unpaid warranty because they wouldn’t stand behind their product and I had to bear the cost, lose customers or worse....my good reputation. I have had to turn away long-time customers that have existing P&L contracts
because the company won’t allow me to process these claims anymore. Their response... “the contracts are still valid; you just have to refer them to another dealer.” I have been in this industry for over 25 years and it used to be a business where manufacturers, wholesalers and contractors were in it together to support the customer. I still care about my customers, but the big players only care about the number of boxes sold Pat Hodgson Abacus HVAC Nelson, B.C.
A tankless task done poorly
Dear Editor: I read your editorial on warranty with great interest (Slippery Slope, Jan/Feb, 2016). I have been a (major manufacturer) dealer for over a decade until this past year. I used to sell a lot of parts and labour contracts until they outsourced their warranty processing. The price skyrocketed when this happened.
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April 2016 – Plumbing & HVAC
11
Q Plumbing This condo project utilized Uponor large diameter PEX for water piping.
PEX
Commercial market expanding Larger pipe, more fittings make doing the entire plumbing system a reality By Simon Blake
12
Plumbing & HVAC – April 2016
Larger pipe sizes and a wider range of fittings are quickly making it possible to pipe the entire potable water system in commercial, institutional and high-rise residential buildings with PEX. “Slowly but surely, the engineers are coming around to more and more commercial use of PEX,” remarked Wade Peterson, vice president of sales and marketing for HeatLink, Calgary. “The challenge we see is not with mechanical contractors. It is with engineers and their reticence to change from the tried and true to
something they believe is new,” added Charlie Harte, general manager for Uponor Canada. In fact PEX is not that new; it has been on the market for over 40 years. Two-inch PEX piping has been available for some time. Uponor recently introduced three-inch with a full line of fittings. Four-inch pipe is available and the company expects to introduce larger sizes as the market requires. Using PEX in commercial systems is not new either, but traditionally it has been used in hybrid systems with copper or CPVC risers and PEX distribution piping on each floor. Uponor is currently doing a number of large projects with PEX up to three inches. The Thornhill Towers condominium project in Toronto, with multiple buildings varying in size up to 18 storeys, was piped entirely with Uponor PEX from 1/2 –inch to two inches. A number of re-pipe projects in Vancouver are using PEX up to three inches. Eighteen and 19-storey towers in Richmond, B.C. are using three-inch PEX for ring mains and
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Uponor expects to have grooved (Victaulic) adapters available by June, allowing the contractor to pre-fab assemblies in the shop and install them quickly on site.
distribution lines. “Our hottest market for 2-1/2-inch and threeinch is in British Columbia. We’ve sold more than we expected to sell in a full year in the first three months of this year,” reported Harte.
Better flow, lifespan PEX is drawing attention with its lighter weight, quicker installation and better flow rates, along with a plethora of new fittings. PEX has a considerably lower frictional resistance than metal pipe. Where copper pipe, for example, might be limited to three to four feet-per-second (FPS) flow, PEX systems are typically designed to flow eight FPS and can safely flow 10-12 FPS, noted Mark Evans, director of sales for Viega Canada. Quicker installation time is always a major factor in PEX’s favour. PEX fittings are more expensive, but typically fewer are needed because of the ability of PEX to bend around obstructions. One of the major advantages is that it
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doesn’t suffer the erosion and corrosion problems that can occur in metal piping. “You always hear of re-pipes in commercial buildings where the piping has simply worn out,” noted Peterson. It is also widely used in areas with aggressive water, like the West Coast. “It’s helpful that we have a full engineered plastic (EP) system so that we’re able to provide a solution,” said Harte. One important design consideration is that PEX has a high expansion rate. For example, on 100 feet of two-inch PEX, a temperature rise of 100ºF would result in 11 inches of expansion. The industry has learned to control this. While the flexibility of PEX typically absorbs the expansion on sizes one inch and smaller, on the larger sizes expansion joints, legs or loops are required. Long horizontal runs can be supported with a metal tray or channel. Uponor PEX-a pipe supports, for example, Please see ‘Different’ on page 15
In the same building, PEX distribution lines run off PEX risers. Note firestopping in floor.
April 2016 – Plumbing & HVAC
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Q Plumbing
Different joining systems Continued from page 13
Viega offers its own systems for commercial PEX projects.
are supported every six to eight feet, depending on pipe size, and provide expansion control. The company is also offering straight 20 ft. lengths of pipe in addition to coils in the larger sizes. All PEX has a maximum continuous UV exposure rating that can be anywhere from three months to a year. UV exposure can occur if the pipe is exposed to florescent light – in these cases the pipe should be covered – or simply left outside uncovered for a lengthy period during construction. Dale Hanscomb, Rehau Ontario sales manager, recalls only one incident in 20 years where pipe suffered UV damage and that was at a construction site where snowmelt system piping had been installed and then left uncovered for over a year when work stopped.
Joining systems
etc. Any metal fitting must meet lead-free requirements for potable water systems. Some manufacturers offer their pipe and fittings as a system and, for ease of assembly, manufacturer support, long-term reliability, and warranty, it may make sense to use everything from one manufacturer. ASTM F1960 cold expansion fittings, such as those used by Uponor, utilize the elastic properties of PEX-a to achieve a secure connection. An expander tool is used to expand the pipe, the fitting is pushed into place, and then the tubing naturally shrinks over the fitting, creating a permanent manufactured connection that gets stronger over time. The Viega proprietary PureFlow system uses lead-free fittings in conjunction with metal crimp sleeves. ASTM F1807 metal insert fittings are also used in commercial systems up to two inch with copper crimp rings or metal sleeves. ASTM F2159 plastic insert fittings with copper crimp rings can be used on smaller diameter pipe, typically up to one inch. All PEX joining systems must meet the performance standards spelled out in CSA B137.5 and ASTM F877. “These standards require that the joining system be tested with PEX tubing to demonstrate that the joint is at least as secure as the tubing itself,” remarked Lance McNevin, P.Eng., director of engineering, building & construction, conduit division, for the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI), Irving, Texas.
There are a number of different joining systems for PEX, but the key factor is that manufacturers have tried to make them foolproof. “Contractors report a little more reliability with PEX because they can be more assured of the connections,” remarked Peterson. It is also important to keep in mind that there This project used Rehau piping are three different types of for run-outs on each floor. Fire stopping PEX – PEX a, b and c. The One of the objections that differences relate to different manufacturing some people voice with PEX – or any plastic processes. The key for the contractor is that piping system – is over how it behaves in a all fittings must be made for the type of PEX being used – PEX-a fittings for PEX-a tubing, Please see ‘Design’ on page 17
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April 2016 – Plumbing & HVAC
15
Q Plumbing
Design help available Continued from page 15
It has been important for manufacturers to have their product tested and certified to standards that engineers and contractors recognize – to obtain certifications that engineers can look at and say: “Okay, I understand how that test goes and how rigorous it is and the fact that that
AT 639 US H IT OT VIS T BO E ME
fire. However, all PEX must be tested and certified as meeting fire, flame spread and smoke development requirements. The initial concern was that PEX could burn where it penetrates a wall, leaving a hole and allowing the fire to spread. Intumescent caulk, which reacts with heat, swelling up and plugging the hole, prevents that. Using a caulk approved for PEX is critical; otherwise the fire-stopping process is little different from that used with metal pipe.
Looking to the future
material stood up to it is fantastic,” said Harte. PEX has a ways to go to make a significant dent in the $3 billion a year Canadian market for copper up to three inches, but larger available pipe and fitting sizes and increasing acceptance by engineers means that it’s on ly a m atte r of t i m e u nt i l PE X potable water systems for the entire building become commonplace in commercial plumbing systems.
Engineered systems Working with the larger PEX sizes requires training. This is typically provided by manufacturers and it’s widely available these days; either online, with a manufacturer’s rep at the contractors shop in the manufacturer’s training facilities and, of course, at trade and engineering schools.
Quicker installation time is always a major factor in PEX’s favour.
If a contractor wants to do a system in PEX that was designed for metal pipe, it means working with the engineer to revise the drawings. Manufacturers have design departments to help. Uponor’s design/estimation department, for example, will take drawings, optimize them for PEX and compare materials. There is also considerable information available online from manufacturers and also from PPI (www.plasticpipe.org), which offers its Design Guide – PEX Water Supply Plumbing Systems and its PPI Plastic Pressure Pipe Design Calculator that allows the designer to quickly calculate things like pressure/head loss, hydraulic shock, pipe weight/volume, thermal expansion and expansion arm/loop sizing.
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Q Plumbing Pro line from MAAX Quebec-based MAAX Bath Inc. has introduced its Professional product line, designed to make it easier for professionals to provide their customers with trend-setting looks for the bath. MAAX is enhancing its trade offerings by combining the best of three product lines under the MAAX Professional line, with more than 3,000 bathware and shower door products designed for new construction and remodeling. This coincides with the launch of the company’s online MAAX Pros Corner with product information, updates and 24/7 tracking of orders. MAAX www.maax.com
Reclaimed water piping Viega has diversified its ViegaPEX tubing line, introducing purple PEX for reclaimed water. It has the highest rating for chlorine and is available in ½”, ¾” and one-inch sizes. It works seamlessly with other Viega products and tools, has a 25-year warranty and counts towards LEED points. Viega www.viega.us
Modern design The new Saniaccess2 from Saniflo Canada is touted as the next generation of external macerators for half bathroom renovations. It is a compact powerful unit designed to handle wastewater from a toilet and a sink, pumping up to 15 feet vertically or 150 feet horizontally from the soil stack. With only five connections – water supply, ¾-inch discharge pipe, toilet access, vent and electrical supply – it installs quickly. Saniflo www.saniflo.ca
Dual outlet roof drain The new Watts RD-700 epoxy-coated cast iron dual outlet roof drain/overflow combination accomplishes primary and overflow drainage in a single roof penetration. With drain and overflow capability combined in one drain, it dramatically streamlines installation. The RD-700 has a flashing clamp, an integral gravel stop, and a four-inch (102mm) high internal overflow standpipe. It also has a secured ductile iron dome and no hub outlets. Watts www.watts.com
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April 2016 – Plumbing & HVAC
19
Q Air Conditioning
Taming the
COOLING LOAD
A thermal energy storage system allowed, from left, Ed Fowler, Colin Umbach and Jim Robson, to reduce equipment size and save energy at the University of Waterloo.
Reducing energy needs with ice-based thermal energy storage By Bruce Nagy
In the never-ending game of making buildings energy efficient, minimizing cooling load is among the biggest challenges. Modern cooling systems tend to be powered by electricity and more electrification is leading many to re-visit the age-old problem of peak loads and peak electricity charges. Ice-based thermal energy storage (TES) is not new, but it is enjoying resurging interest because it offers efficient time-of-use shifts of electrical consumption along.
University savings When mechanical engineer Ed Fowler of WalterFedy, an integrated engineering, architecture and construction firm in
20
Plumbing & HVAC – April 2016
Kitchener, Ont., designed the HVAC system for a new 36,000 square foot (3252 sq. metre) building at the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ont., he reduced electricity charges and peak load by specifying a 52-ton chiller, rather than a 90-ton chiller. To make it work he added a Calmac TES system consisting of two 120-ton/hour ice making tanks (420 kWh), a completion module and some pumps. The smaller chiller saved more than enough to pay for the TES equipment. Ontario’s Save On Energy program provided some of the funding, which meant that savings have to be monitored and verified. WalterFedy’s Colin Umbach analyzed system performance in August 2015 when outdoor temperatures exceeded design conditions. Ninety-seven percent of the cooling system power use was successfully shifted to off-peak hours from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., he reported. Power usage stayed under 6.4 kW during on-peak hours (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The school operates twelve months of the year (cooperative education, ESL, summer school) and serves thousands of students.
How it works The chiller sends -6C (22ºF) glycol into the tanks at night, where it helps make ice for up to 10 hours. As it melts during the day, glycol circulates from ice to air handler coils. Fans then distribute the cooling though ductwork, while glycol absorbs heat and returns to the ice for more cooling. The Trane chiller
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Two 120-ton/hour ice making tanks supplement a 52-ton chiller.
controls manage the system. “Cooler glycol produced by the ice means lower supply air temperatures, so fans and ductwork are smaller,” said Fowler. “Also, the chiller is not maxing out, so it requires less maintenance.” “Savings depend on the rates you are paying,” added Calmac marketing vice president Paul Valenta. “In Ontario you’re paying 41 percent more to use energy in the day than at night. And you could be hit with peak usage charges. The biggest contributor to peak demand is usually AC, even in northern climates.” Customer payback for new construction is typically under three years and, with most old chiller replacements, less than seven.
Peak demand in remote areas Peak demand charges exist, theoretically, because of the need for peak demand generating stations. Whereas baseload stations run continuously, “peaker plants” are fired up a small percentage of the time when demand outstrips baseload capacity, usually on hot summer afternoons when air conditioning everywhere is running full tilt. According to the International Energy Agency, about 30 gigawatts of peak capacity are added each year around the world to keep pace with population growth and increasing demand. Because blackouts are economically and politically untenable in the western world, expensive peaker plants are thrown up quickly, costing about $1.8M U.S. per megawatt, usually fuelled by natural gas. In addition, delivering
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Trane chiller controls manage the mechanical system. more power is problematic for utilities, because “we’re trying to operate a 21st century economy using a 20th century grid that we can’t afford to upgrade,” said Valenta.
We’re trying to operate a 21st century economy using a 20th century grid that we can’t afford to upgrade.
The problem becomes more pronounced in remote areas, where miles of old power lines are serving communities that are gradually increasing their loads. Remote communities desperately want new businesses and new developments that can bring jobs, consumer traffic and general economic stimulus. But with bigger loads either the new entity or the local utility has to pay for generation and transmission upgrades.
Demand side solutions Boothbay is a beautiful Maine resort area with a population of just over 2,000 residents, competing with Long Island, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and so on. More restaurants, bars, hotels and increasing tourism had driven up the peak load, outstripping the local utility’s infrastructure capacity. Rather than do the expensive transmission upgrade, Central Maine Power contracted with a consultant to install about 30 Ice Bear thermal energy storage units along with other system elements at a cost of about $6 million, saving about $12 million. “In Boothbay they wanted the new businesses, but they were going to have to do an $18-million transmission line upgrade,” said Ice Energy CEO Mike Hopkins. “We worked with the customers, consultants and the utility. In the end it was solved with a combination of Ice Bears, solar, chemical batteries, generators and demand response programs.” An Ice Bear is a smaller thermal energy storage system, providing 20 to 30 tons of ice Please see ‘Smaller’ on page 23
April 2016 – Plumbing & HVAC
21
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Q Air Conditioning
Smaller systems for remote areas Continued from page 21
for cooling by freezing 1703 litres (450 gallons) of water overnight. The first Ice Bear, the Model 30, worked in tandem with outdoor condensing units. The new Model 20 combines both functions. During peak hours, the Model 20 delivers up to four hours of cooling, using just five percent of the power that is usually needed. Meanwhile in California, the City of Redding is trying to avoid building a peaker plant. “Instead they buy more TES each year,” says Hopkins. “I don’t think they’re ever going to build that plant. It’s cheaper for everyone to just make ice at night. Ice Bear storage is about half the cost of a lithium ion battery.”
Residential ice systems A residential scale product that will be launched soon combines ice energy with a heat pump, reports Ed Lohrenz of GeoOptimize
Inside the Ice Bear, ice builds up on the coils.
little or no cycle degradation, like with a battery, equipment life is longer. And the system extends the life of condensing equipment too. He worked on an IKEA store in Centennial, Colorado that combined 350 tons of cooling equipment with TES to provide 530 tons of cooling. Again, the TES investment was erased by the capacity savings. In this case it was a geothermal heat pump system that cost about $280,000 less than it would have without TES. “In some designs, when the heat pumps are producing ice at night, you can also heat the building and/or domestic hot water with recaptured heat energy from the ice-making,” said Lohrenz.
Inc. in Winnipeg. He says this could mean a 2.5-ton air conditioning unit could provide about four tons of cooling. Lorenz says that ice-based TES meets a utility’s need more cost effectively than any form of electricity storage currently available and does it on the demand side, eliminating transmission challenges. Also, because there’s
Bruce Nagy is a Toronto-based freelance writer that reports on green technologies and solutions. He can be reached at bruce.nagy@rogers.com.
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April 2016 – Plumbing & HVAC
23
Q Air Conditioning
AIR CONDITIONING
UPDATE
TXV issues linger as technicians train on new compact inverter split systems by Bob Bettles and Brian Guttormson
We have started to enter the seasonal change from heating to air-conditioning. The warmer weather brings new installs along with constant changes from manufacturers every year; it will be necessary to do some reading of the latest manufacturer bulletins and spec sheets before moving on. Education will be a money saver.
TXV woes addressed
Rapidly changing technology makes following the manual more critical than ever.
24
Plumbing & HVAC – April 2016
One recent issue involves thermal expansion valves (TXV) sliding pistons devices and other distributors. Issues arose across the industry when metering devices, shortly after start-up or within the first season of operation, would get contaminated and cease to work. Systems would shut down or operate with poor super heat, causing poor or no cooling. At first, and without reading manufacturer’s updates, technicians would misdiagnose and further service calls would be required to fix the problem. Some replaced the metering device and recharged the system with success, but some troublesome cases would have a second failure. Technicians went crazy sorting things out for a bit. Keeping connected to a knowledgeable wholesale division was king, providing they shared the knowledge. The problem and the need to continue to monitor factory bulletins will continue this year as, due to a poor air conditioning season last year, some wholesales still have inventories to cycle out and those units already installed may not have had enough run time for the problem to occur. When reading the bulletins, it will become clear that a simple fix can be administered by injecting in a four-ounce bottle of additive oil that works as a cleaning agent. Some will take longer to clear than others, so be patient. In
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some cases there was a happy side effect in that the compressor would miraculously run much quieter following the oil treatment.
High voltage
must not be removed. It is necessary, not just a suggestion, to wear protective electric shielded gloves when working within the electrical areas. The capacitors within the boards store very high voltages and even if just slightly grazed during servicing, this can be lethal to the worker. The capacitors on this Contractors need to be aware that inverter board retain even if the power is turned off the voltage even after internals are still very much alive the power is off. and lethal for many minutes.
As manufacturers introduce their new products, inverted internal voltage systems will be seen in residential split systems for the first time, typically in 17 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) and higher systems. Ductless systems have used the technology for some time. T h e i nv e r t e r a l l ow s a specialized compressor (mostly rotary types) to work in a variable speed mode. Modulating from slow speeds to over 5000 RPM in some systems, the compressor motor uses less
Contractors need to be aware that even if the power is turned off the internals are still very much alive and lethal for many minutes. electricity and pumps only the required amount of refrigerant through the system to the metering device and further into the coil. One must be very careful when servicing or working around the inverter boards in the unit’s electrical box. There are product guards in place around the internal boards, which
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Wearing gloves for protection against electric shock or worse is critical with inverter equipment.
Test procedures Products do have unshielded test points and some have operational lights for service. Test points will reveal in and/or output volts. Depending on which manufacturer’s products you are working on, this will show the voltages produced by the inverter board, if any. Most will have flash code detection displays, manuals or instructions on the back of the electrical panel to help decode the product for servicing. Due to the operation of the compressor and its RPM changes and speeds, it is imperative to scale in (weigh) all refrigerants, calculating added lengths to the factory charges, most being set based on the capacity of the unit, coil and a line length of 15 feet. It’s finally time to buy that scale that you have avoided to date. Care must be taken when charging these units. A one-pound overcharge in current product will relate to a seven percent overcharge; the same one-pound overcharge in the inverter driven product will result in a
Heat pumps use an EXV (valve) to control refrigerant flow
Please see ‘Caution’ on page 27
April 2016 – Plumbing & HVAC
25
Q Air Conditioning
Caution required in testing Continued from page 25
19 percent overage. If charging by the subcooling method, a few things must be considered. Indoor temperatures must be from 21 to 27ºC (70 to 80ºF) while outdoor temperatures must be in the 18 to 38ºC (65 to 100ºF) range as normal design conditions. If on a new install with a high internal load, it is best to weigh in the refrigerant charge for any extra tube lengths only. Allow the unit several hours of run time to “catch” the load and stabilize the operation. The heat pump system uses an electronic thermal expansion valve (EXV) in the outdoor unit. The stepper motor on the head of the valve will power open and will set its operating set point at its pre-calculated super heat and step up or down to control the refrigerant flow into the outdoor coil, so the refrigerant charge is critical to the system. Indoor coils will, in most brands, use current TXV models as per the U.S.-based Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) listing numbers (www.ahrinet.org).
unit will be in the 150 lb. range. This is due to the rotary efficiencies and compact coils. With a footprint of 23x23 inches for the two and three-ton models and 31¼ x 31¼ inches for the four and five-ton models, they will fit through a gate to the backyard with no need for four techs to lift it over the fence! Sound levels are listed in the mid 50’s dBA at low speed up to the mid 60’s at high speed;
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407C
Compact and quiet One of the major benefits of these modulating units is size. As an example, a current threeton 19 SEER two-stage air conditioner weighs in at around 285 lbs. The similar rotary driven Bob Bettles HVAC author and trainer Robert (Bob) Bettles is technical service adviser and product trainer for B&B Trade Distribution Centre. He can be reached at bbettles@bandbtrade.com. Brian Guttormson HVAC author and trainer Brian Guttormson is technical service advisor for Trent Metals Ltd. (Supply). He can be reached at techsupport@tmlsupply.com.
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the neighbours will not be losing sleep! The rotary compressor has a potential “turndown” to 25 percent capacity and humidity control will be more effective due to longer cycles. The inverter products allow the full use and benefit of a matched communicating control system. This will allow the units to provide all of the benefits your customer is paying for! Check with your distributor for the availability of the new product lines and tech and sales training before your first installation.
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April 2016 – Plumbing & HVAC
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Viega press systems
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Q Air Conditioning AC coils for geothermal Modine is now offering standalone A-coils for use with its split ground source heat pump systems that can be matched with furnaces by other manufacturers for dualfuel installations. Coils are available cased or uncased and feature stainless steel drain pans, a condensate overflow switch, TXV, and 18gauge aluminized powder coated steel cabinet (cased only). Modine www.modine.com
Better control
Leak detection kit
Lennox Commercial has expanded the functionality of its Prodigy 2.0 unit controller on its Energence ultra high-efficiency 15, 20, and 25-ton units. Designed to make setup, troubleshooting and servicing easier, it features a larger display that shows more information in greater detail. The SmartWire system simplifies installation with color-coded, keyed terminals with clearer labeling. A USB port allows technicians to download service reports and save unit configuration information. It is compatible with all major automation protocols. Lennox Commercial www.lennoxcommercial.com
The Spectroline EZJect leak detection kit comes with everything needed to accurately and quickly find leaks in small to medium size air conditioning systems, including R-410A systems. The kit includes the company’s Optimax 400 LED leak detection flashlight, which offers an inspection range of 25 feet (7.6 m) or more, a dye injector and two multidose universal/POE dye cartridges that each treat up to two gallons (7.6 L) of lubricant or 25 lbs (11.3 kg) of refrigerant. The fluorescent dye can be added with the system off or running. Spectroline www.spectroline.com
Compact heat pump
Light commercial line Johnson Controls has introduced its new light commercial TempMaster HVAC product line. It includes a variety of tonnages, fuel sources and configurations. These products have been rated in accordance with AHRI Standard 210/240 and 340/360 and meet relevant ASHRAE 90.1, ENERGY STAR and EPACT standards. From high-efficiency heat exchangers to advanced control options, contractors will have more choices without needing multiple vendors. Johnson Controls www.tempmasterhvac.com
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The new Smar tS ource Compact vertical water source heat pump (WSHP) from Daikin Applied is designed to offer energy saving efficiencies in the smallest footprint. At 19 x 19 x 24 inches, buildings require a mechanical closet only a fraction of the conventional size. An optional waterside economizer allows the unit to cool without electricity. Efficiency is augmented through an optional ECM motor with multiple field selectable airflow settings. The selectable settings help ensure a more comfortable environment for building occupants by yielding a wider range of airflow operations for different applications and duct systems. Daikin Applied www.daikinapplied.com
April 2016 – Plumbing & HVAC
29
Q Refrigeration
SUCTION ACCUMULATORS Extra protection for the compressor By Greg Scrivener Suction accumulators are used on many systems can we accurately test one that’s been installed? to prevent compressor damage caused by liquid I’d say that in most cases testing accumulators refrigerant entering the compressor. in the field is a pretty dicey proposition. At Refrigerant compressors don’t generally best you may be able to determine that the like compressing liquid. accumulator is big enough While some types are more for whatever flood-back forgiving than others, none event you were able to of the compressors we Temperature has simulate; at worst you are currently use are designed changing the compressor you a very large to handle large volumes of just wrecked. It’s probably liquid refrigerant. In most better to try to get the sizing influence on capacity. direct-expansion systems the right in the first place. suction line isn’t supposed The first model can be The problem and the to have any liquid in it at reason you see manufacturers all, but we know that it used at nine tons in an air using this type of language sometimes happens. In is that it is pretty difficult conditioner but only 2.8 industrial systems, suction to accurately size an accumulators or suction traps tons in a freezer. accumulator if you don’t are purposefully installed know exactly how the system because we know that we is going to flood-back. Even if have to separate refrigerant you do know, it can be tough. liquid and vapour before the compressors. The Fig. 1 shows a cutaway view of a typical question is, when do you need to install a suction commercial accumulator. A mixture of vapour accumulator and how big does it need to be? and liquid enters the accumulator at the top. The liquid and oil are supposed to fall to the Sizing it right bottom and the vapour is drawn through an A quick look through the manufacturer’s inverted tube to the outlet. The vapour velocity literature might have you scratching your head in the tube creates a lower pressure in the tube a bit. You see sentences like “where possible, the so liquid and oil are metered into the tube capacity selected should be checked by actual through an orifice in the bottom. test”. I can understand that we want to make sure that the accumulator is big enough but how Please see ‘Temperature’ on page 32
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Plumbing & HVAC – April 2016
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Q Refrigeration
Temperature dependent the pipe or vessel it’s moving through. The accumulator decreases the velocity of the refrigerant because it’s bigger than the pipe. This part is relatively straightforward, even if the geometry of how the refrigerant flows in a vertical accumulator is not.
Reducing refrigerant velocity
Fig.1: Cutaway of a commercial accumulator. Continued from page 30
This looks relatively simple but it’s complicated by a number of factors. The main method the accumulator uses to separate liquid and vapour is to decrease the refrigerant velocity. Lowering the velocity makes it easier for gravity to pull the liquid droplets out of the vapour. This is intuitive to us because we can certainly imagine that the heavier liquid will want to fall to the bottom if it’s not moving at all, like we would find in a refrigerant tank, for example. The velocity of refrigerant flow is a function of the refrigerant mass flow rate (i.e. how many lbs. of refrigerant per minute are moving around the system?) and the dimensions of
This brings us to the first issue in sizing accumulators. They must be large enough to decrease the velocity to an acceptable level. If they start filling with liquid, the volume of the vessel that the refrigerant has available to slow down in gets smaller, so we must decide how much refrigerant they need to hold. Fig. 2 shows a section of manufacturer’s selection data for some small accumulators: Notice that they give the maximum holding capacity for a couple different refrigerants. If you had a different refrigerant you could calculate the holding capacity for it using its density compared to one of the refrigerants in the table. The tougher question is “how much refrigerant do I need it to hold?” In order to answer this you have to understand what type of upset condition is going to cause your flood-back. Most manufacturers recommend using at least 50 percent of the entire system charge to start. If you know that you are going to have conditions that are worse than this, then you need to use a larger accumulator.
Slowing the refrigerant Now we know how much refrigerant the accumulator has to hold (or at least we guessed), but we still don’t know how big the accumulator needs to be to slow down the refrigerant enough. Notice that in the table (Fig.2), there is no velocity column. Instead they give the capacity of the accumulator in tons of refrigeration. Mass flow of a refrigerant depends on its refrigerating effect; we have to move some amount of refrigerant around each hour to accomplish some amount of cooling. We measure cooling in Btu’s or tons; in this case the manufacturer has chosen to give the ratings in tons for mass flow rates. Recall that the velocity is a function of the mass flow – the more mass of refrigerant that is flowing through a pipe at given conditions means that it will be moving at a higher velocity. We can now pick the smallest (or least expensive) accumulator that had both the refrigerant holding capacity we wanted and can handle the refrigeration load of our system. The minimum load is also shown because a certain minimum velocity is required in the inverted tube to draw the liquid and oil through the orifice. Another thing to be aware of is that the capacity of an accumulator, if you are going to measure it in tons, is dependent on temperature. If the manufacturer does not give you ratings at different temperatures, I would careful. Fig. 3 shows a table of accumulator capacities at different suction temperatures and you can notice that the temperature has a very large influence on capacity. The first model can be used at nine tons in an air conditioner but only 2.8 tons in a freezer. This is because at lower temperatures the refrigerant density is lower. Recommended Tons of Refrigeration Suction Evaporator Temp. (ºF) R-22
Fig. 2: This chart shows manufacturer’s selection data for small suction accumulators.
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Plumbing & HVAC – April 2016
+40º
+20º
0º
-20º
-40º
MAX MIN MAX MIN
9.1 0.9 15.5 1.8
6.5 0.75 10.8 1.5
4.2 0.65 6.8 1.25
2.8 0.5 4.5 1.1
1.8 0.4 2.9 0.85
MAX MIN
27.6 3.22
19.5 2.4
12 2.0
7.8 1.6
5 1.50
Fig. 3: Temperature has a significant effect on capacity.
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Fig. 4: This suction accumulator protects the compressor for a small walk-in freezer.
Emergency backup only Commercial accumulators are not designed to handle liquid refrigerant continuously. None of the tables will give you any information at all about continuous liquid capacities. It is important to realize that every drop of liquid that enters an accumulator has to leave by either the orifice in the dip tube, be entrained in the vapour leaving the outlet or vapourized in the vessel. There are methods of helping this vapourization process using accumulators with heat exchanger coils that use the warm liquid refrigerant from the condenser; some
even have external heaters installed. These methods add cost and complication but can be useful in some cases. If you need to subcool your liquid refrigerant anyway, then a heat exchanger may be a really good idea. In industrial systems, the costs associated with damaging compressors are very high. In some cases a heat exchanger circuit is employed to subcool liquid refrigerant and the data is available for the designer to calculate how much liquid the accumulator can handle. More often than not, a positive mechanism like a pump or transfer tank is used to actually remove the liquid from the accumulator. Accumulators are an important part of protecting compressors and should be used in any system where upset conditions are possible. Examples include heat pumps that switch between heating and cooling modes, freezers with defrosts and systems with widely varying loads on the evaporator such as process chillers.
Greg Scrivener is a refrigeration consultant for Cold Dynamics in Edmonton. He is a professional engineer, journeyman refrigeration mechanic and holds RSES CMS designation in commercial refrigeration. He can be reached at greg.scrivener@colddynamics.com
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Fig. 5: This large horizontal suction accumulator installed on an industrial ammonia plant uses a transfer tank and discharge pressure to move any liquid back to the high-pressure receiver.
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Q Building Green
Innovative
conversion
Former coal-fired power plant becomes Atlantic Canada’s first LEED Platinum project By Art Irwin
The new corporate headquarters for Nova Scotia Power located on Water Street in Halifax has been an interesting project. Originally a coal-fired generating station, the plant was decommissioned in 1999 after having shut down in 1986. The first generator had been installed in 1911. The existing structure comprised of a concrete clad steel structure that enclosed several high volume spaces that originally housed equipment for generating electricity. Today, the facility houses over 500 staff in approximately 194,000 sq. ft. (18,000 sq. metres) and provides onsite parking for 150 vehicles. The structure is over 120 feet (36m) in height. Four large brick chimneys have been removed.
LEED Platinum
The coal-fired power plant in its heyday.
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Plumbing & HVAC – April 2016
The renovation, completed in 2011, is the winner of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Engineering and the first building in Atlantic Canada to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification from the Canada Green Building Council (CGBC). The building includes a number of environmentally friendly features including a system that uses harbour water for heating and cooling, washrooms that make efficient use of water, the ability to collect rain water for use, a white roof to help keep the building cool, atriums that provide natural light, and an energy efficient facade.
The Eco Cube heat pumps offered a solution to a difficult design challenge. The project budget was $46 million. M & R Engineering Limited of Halifax was responsible for the design of the mechanical and electrical systems. M&R’s Dan MacDonald was helpful in providing information for this article.
Chilled beam cooling This was the first use of active chilled beam technology in Atlantic Canada. As previously mentioned, both heating and cooling are achieved using low temperature seawater in conjunction with water source heat pumps. Variable speed drives were installed on the circulation pumps and fans to save electricity and provide more positive control. Energy recovery wheels were installed in air handlers to
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From the waterside, it’s hard to believe the Nova Scotia Power office building was once a coal-fired power plant.
a nine millimetre thick improved thermal break. The concrete walls have a three-inch (77-mm) thick semirigid mineral wool insulation board, with an effective thermal resistance of R-9. A new roofing system not only added insulation to the existing structure, but the white roofing material reduces heat gain.
Additional energ y saving strategies include the provision of heat recovery on HVAC, daylight and occupancy sensors for lighting and supplemental heating for both the building and hot water with the use of solar panels. ‘Re-skinning’ the structure resulted in an energy efficient tight building envelope, minimizing energy loss/gain at the building perimeter. The windows and spandrel units (space between arches) have a low-e film on the glazing and argon gas between the two glass panes. The frames on a curtain wall system also have
Unique heat pumps Finding a system that could handle below-zero temperature water and yet be scalable to meet the 300-ton cooling requirements presented a challenge. A heat pump system was located in Winnipeg that is traditionally Please see ‘Arena’ on page 37
THE MISSING LINK!
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The system ties into piping from the Halifax harbour originally used to cool power generating turbines. recover heat from the exhaust air. On the plumbing side, low flow plumbing fixtures were installed and a rainwater cistern was installed to collect runoff from the roof, which is used to supply toilets and urinals, reducing city water consumption and reducing runoff into the storm system. Lighting control systems utilize occupancy and daylight sensors to reduce reliance on artificial lighting. In total, energy modelling
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Q Building Green
Arena equipment solves difficult design challenge Continued from page 35
used in arenas. The Eco Kube system, formerly from Ice Cube in Winnipeg and now offered by Kube Solutions, Dartmouth, N.S., allows the mechanical system to draw heating and cooling from the harbour and is scalable to meet the cooling demands of the building. The seawater runs through a heat exchanger made of titanium to prevent corrosion. Heat pumps pull the needed heating and cooling from the circulation loop, sending cooling to the chilled beams and heating to the perimeter system.
Finding a system that could handle below-zero temperature water and yet be scalable to meet the 300-ton cooling requirements presented a challenge. An active chilled beam is an induction unit. They differ from radiant chilled ceilings as they transfer heat primarily via convection instead of radiation. The pre-treated (i.e. cooled and dehumidified fresh/outdoor air from the air handling unit) primary air supply from the forced ventilation system induces secondary (room) air across the chilled beam unitโ s heat transfer coil (cooling coil). Here the secondary air is reconditioned prior to its mixing with the primary air stream. Thus the chilled beam discharges mixed air into the space by means of linear slots as well as delivering space cooling.
The cooling coil in the chilled beam provides only sensible cooling. It is not intended to be used to condense or provide latent cooling in order to avoid having to add a drain pan and drain line to each beam. Active chilled beam technology also provides fan energy savings due to the reduced ventilation air flow from the air-handling unit and chiller energy savings since a chilled beam
requires a higher chilled water temperature than a conventional all-air VAV system. The technology offers low maintenance due to the absence any moving parts or filters. Occupants benefit from having individual zone control and uniform temperature conditions without any cold drafts. Overall, the entire retrofit is saving an estimated $ 650,000 in utility bills annually.
BEYOND ENERGY EFFICIENCY Synthetic Refrigerant Catalyst t *DF$0-%ยฅ JT BO FOHJOFFSFE TZOUIFUJD GPSNVMB EFTJHOFE TQFDJรถDBMMZ UP JNQSPWF PQFSBUJPOBM QFSGPSNBODF BOE SFTUPSF MPTU FรณDJFODZ UP SFGSJHFSBUJPO BOE BJS DPOEJUJPOJOH TZTUFNT t *U EFMJWFST TJHOJรถDBOU BOE NFBTVSBCMF GVFM L8I TBWJOHT BOE PS WBMVBCMF QSPDFTTJOH CFOFรถUT UISPVHI SFEVDFE DPPMJOH UJNFT t 1BZCBDL JT UZQJDBMMZ XJUIJO JO DPPMJOH NPOUIT t -VCSJDJUZ "HFOU JOEFQFOEFOUMZ UFTUFE CZ *OUFSUFL o JNQSPWFT DPNQSFTTPS PJM MVCSJDJUZ CZ
t $PTU TBWJOHT BOE QFSGPSNBODF JNQSPWFNFOUT DBO CF BDIJFWFE BDSPTT UIF SFGSJHFSBUFE QSPEVDUT TVQQMZ DIBJO JODMVEJOH QSF DPPMJOH DPME TUPSBHF USBOTQPSUBUJPO BOE SFUBJM t *O NPTU TZTUFNT JU JT JOTUBMMFE PODF BOE MBTUT GPS UIF MJGF PG UIF TZTUFN t *U JT B OPO UPYJD OPO IB[BSEPVT AHSFFO UFDIOPMPHZ t *U XPSLT JO BMM TZTUFN UZQFT t *U SFEVDFT FOFSHZ DPOTVNQUJPO FOFSHZ FรณDJFODZ JNQSPWFNFOU HVBSBOUFFE
"O FTUJNBUFE PG UIF XPSME T FMFDUSJDJUZ VTF JT GPS BJS DPOEJUJPOJOH BOE SFGSJHFSBUJPO DPPMJOH 3FEVDJOH UIBU MFWFM PG FOFSHZ DPOTVNQUJPO CZ UP XPVME EFMJWFS TJHOJรถDBOU DPNNFSDJBM BOE FOWJSPONFOUBM CFOFรถUT *G UIF XPSME T CJMMJPO BJS DPOEJUJPOFST BOE SFGSJHFSBUJPO VOJUT XFSF USFBUFE XJUI *DF$0-%ยฅ UFDIOPMPHZ UIF SFEVDUJPO PG $0 HMPCBMMZ XPVME CF UP 5PEBZ UIFSF JT OP PUIFS UFDIOPMPHZ UIBU DBO SFEVDF $0 FNJTTJPOT BU TVDI MPX DPTU
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Arthur A. Irwin operates Irwin Energy Consulting Services in Halifax. He can be reached at irwin.a@ns.sympatico.ca.
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April 2016 โ Plumbing & HVAC
37
Q Heating
Hydronic heating and Just how much connectivity is too much? By Roy Collver
This screen shot from a Wi-Fi enabled Ecobee thermostat provides considerable information on HVAC system operation.
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Plumbing & HVAC – April 2016
Lately, popular media has been going on about how “The Internet of Things” is becoming some kind of a technological juggernaut that will completely change our lives. One recent posting on an industry online forum stated that contractors had better hurry up and “get on board” before they “get left behind in the dust.” When it comes to boilers and HVAC equipment, I emphatically weigh-in without hesitation – maybe yes, maybe no – but you can probably relax about it for now because I’m not so sure it is of benefit to be an early adopter. I am unaware of any HVAC appliance manufacturer currently offering this technology other than to their internal dealer groups, and that limited access doesn’t quite qualify for full-blown “internet of things” status. At best, I find the whole idea overblown. Let’s be clear though; I am not talking
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the Internet
of Things about home automation and Wi-Fi enabled thermostats that are already becoming popular with a small but enthusiastic class of customer. I personally have an Ecobee thermostat and I find it very useful. It is nice to have the ability to get notified of existing or potential problems, log operational trends, adjust things from a remote location and generally look in on what is happening in your space. The internet of things, however, is a totally different animal. It goes way beyond that and you have to ask yourself, what are the benefits to the average homeowner? Who is really asking for this stuff? What is this “the internet of things” anyways? What’s in it for you or your customer?
The dark side I have been studying the whole concept and there is a dark side to the idea. It might be a really big mistake to let the internet entwine itself ever deeper into our everyday lives. How so? Example: As much as I like my thermostat – I have always been a bit nervous about the fact that all of the information it gathers is sitting in a server-farm somewhere
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The little purple light at the top left indicates that the room is occupied. in downtown Toronto. I trust that the information is secure, private, and for my use only. I expect that there are security measures in place that will prevent anyone but my heating contractor from accessing the information – but I don’t really know for sure. It is that lack of control that makes me just a little bit queasy. Here’s a credible scenario. Imagine you are
a bit chilly and go to turn up your thermostat. You make the necessary adjustment and, instantly, a familiar voice comes out of your thermostat speaker and says “I’m sorry, Dave. I’m afraid I can’t do that.” What’s the problem, you ask? “You haven’t paid last month’s utility bill, Dave. The company won’t permit me to give you more than twelve degrees Celsius until you do so…. I have been instructed to inform you that if your account is still in arrears at month’s end, I will be ordered to shut the boiler down completely. Would you like me to connect you to the credit department Dave”? Okay, that may be a bit over the top, but does it make me a paranoid Luddite? A little bit perhaps – but then again, is it really that hard to imagine?
The official line Question: what exactly is the internet of things and what’s in it for you? Official answer: Your customer’s appliances will soon all be connected to the internet. As a result, they will make life much easier and it won’t Please see ‘Who’ on page 41
April 2016 – Plumbing & HVAC
39
Q Heating
Who has access to collected information? Continued from page 39
cost a penny. The Internet is free – right? The appliances just want your customer to have a better life, and to provide that better life “THEY” (who control the internet) will need to learn as much about your customers as they can. This knowledge will then help them to get your customers to buy the stuff their algorithms decide they want and need, so they don’t have to waste valuable time thinking about trivial things like what they really want and need. This will allow your customers to work on more important things. Right. Marketing is driving this whole concept – that is where the money is coming from. There are some possible real benefits from the technology, so I will admit it isn’t all bad – but the Silicon Valley billionaires that are promoting this stuff think different than the
average HVAC contractor – they are in it for themselves. WE are interested in providing comfort, system longevity and trouble-free operation. THEY are after information. They have figured out how to turn information into money. Here are just some of the things that can be compiled from the internet-connected devices in your home or business: Occupancy: when you are home, when you are not – when you are sleeping or awake, what rooms you are in at what times. Consumption items: how much and when water is used, food eaten, toilets flushed, cooking appliances used, refrigerator opened (what and how much food taken out, put in), hot tub turned on. Energy use: how many lights on, how bright are they, outdoor and indoor environmental conditions and thermostat settings, heating/
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cooling equipment run times. Here are just a few of the things you can use this information for that will be of benefit to you: Occupancy: when to put your heating or cooling into setback. Consumption items: when to order more stuff. Energy use: use energy when the rates are cheaper. One big problem with this concept, however, is that there are numerous kinds of other entities out there that also want to learn as much as they can about your customers and their families for other reasons. Think about all of the security breaches we have heard about in the last few years. Mass theft of credit card information, medical records,
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Q Heating
Exercise caution Continued from page 39
financial information – the bad guys are just getting started. If it is connected to the internet, the wrong people can get access to it.
Exercise caution My main concern about this stuff, however, is to get my readers to exercise extreme caution. Remember – if you are a contractor or manufacturer promoting this technology, you are incurring a pretty hefty liability by allowing it into your customer’s homes and businesses. Be very careful who you partner with and find out exactly what information they will be gathering and how they intend to use and distribute it. If they can’t or won’t tell you, run away – fast.
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Plumbing & HVAC – April 2016
You can probably relax about it for now because I’m not so sure it is of benefit to be an early adopter… Many of us are quick to jump onto the latest technology train. As I mentioned at the top of this article, people are starting to mock those “too slow” to “embrace new technology” – claiming they are going to “miss the boat” and “leave the door wide open” for their competitors to “eat their lunch”, and “leave them in the dust”. They are using every cliché in the book to get us to buy into the concept, but they are not really part of the HVAC family – they have their own agenda. That’s why the alarm bells should be sounding in your head. Unless your customers are asking for internet of things enabled appliances, or you can see real benefits for them, I am suggesting you wait for awhile to see how this one plays out. Roy Collver is an author and consultant on hydronic heating based in Parksville, B.C. He can be reached at hoth2o@shaw.ca
Proudly Canadian
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Q Heating Connected products
High efficiency DHW
Quebec manufacturer Stelpro has announced a new line of connected products for the smart home. The KI smart home thermostat – the first product in this line – controls baseboards and convectors, uses wireless Z-Wave technology and requires a Z-Wave terminal that links the various devices and enables them to communicate with each other. Using a smartphone, tablet or computer, it allows the home’s occupant to adjust temperatures from a distance, adjust energy management modes, activate safety and entertainment systems, etc. Stelpro www.stelpro.com
The new 55-gallon Gas Conservationist BT-60 commercial gas water heater from A. O. Smith is available in natural gas and propane models. It delivers a 106-gallon first-hour rating. Features include fully automated controls with safety shutoff that requires no electric connections, eco-friendly non-CFC foam insulation, integrated heat traps and a specially designed combustion chamber for maximum efficiency. A. O. Smith www.hotwater.com
Hydronic water quality
The new Sensaphone Pressure Sensor is designed for measuring and detecting loss of boiler pressure in hot water systems at large facilities such as hotels, schools, hospitals, etc. It monitors for pump problems such as clogged intake or discharge lines, loss of suction or a burst pipe. The sensor sends real-time pressure data to the Sensaphone system for data acquisition and alarming. It monitors circulation pumps and general pressure of the hot water systems from the street side into the facility. Early notification of pressure failures allows quick response to prevent damage. Sensaphone www.sensaphone.com
Water quality in hydronic systems affects overall efficiency, reliability, life expectancy and the effectiveness of chemical additives. The 18th edition of idronics from Caleffi discusses water quality issues and lays out procedures for converting raw water into high quality water with an emphasis placed on demineralization. The journal concludes with procedures for water quality adjustments to ensure that the system water provides optimal performance over years of operation. The edition is now available online and hard copies are also available. Caleffi www.caleffi.com
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April 2016 – Plumbing & HVAC
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g n i y a t S SAFE
Q Site Safety
O
Objects falling from above a common source of injury for plumbers
One of my favorite requirements for safety on a jobsite as prescribed by the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act is the inclusion of a “toe board” iin the guardrail system when work heights rreach eight feet (2.4 meters) or more. It’s among amo my favorites because personal experience i has shown me that one of the most dangerous phases of high-rise construction
By Mark P. Evans
I was in the fourth year of my apprenticeship and was proud of my assistant supervisor position for such a prestigious project, but grossly unsafe work conditions forced me to exercise my right to refuse unsafe work. My concerns were met with criticism and humiliation so I quit to find safer employment. Later I learned that a man was killed by falling debris on that site and I could only hope that his passing resulted in safer conditions for the rest of the workers.
Personal experience has shown me that one of the most dangerous phases of high-rise construction for a plumber is the underground rough-in stage.
Workers on the scaffold are protected from falling by the top and middle railings, but it is the toe board that protects the plumber below.
44
Plumbing & HVAC – April 2016
for a plumber is the underground rough-in stage. At this time, the plumber is at risk of being hit by falling objects as the building goes up around him. I’ve seen many things drop from height during my time in the trade, but when I watched a two-foot piece of re-bar come off the sixth floor of a building and pound straight through the out-house below, I decided to take action and demanded preventative measures. I requested a review of the safety protocols for that site because I doubted if the hard-hat I was wearing would have been sufficient to save my life had I been using the john at that time.
Training and prevention Prevention is the key and it’s about time we enforce the long-standing rules. Mandatory jobsite safety training is long overdue, in this writers’ opinion, so when I was invited to participate I jumped at the chance. I recently joined Hy-Mark Mechanical, Guelph, Ont. (a company within the Reid’s Heritage Group (RHG)) for a series of intense training seminars. It was my good fortune to meet John Craig, one of three construction health and safety officers from RHG. During safety orientation training, John explained how important it is to have a “competent” person in charge. To be considered competent, one must be qualified
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Dustin and John Craig demonstrate fall prevention equipment. through knowledge, training and experience. They must be familiar with the law and the regulations that apply and must be aware of any potential or actual danger in the work place. I suggest the term “passionate” be included in this list. Perhaps a zealous individual would be more likely to enforce compliance of the regulations. The training sessions included personal protective equipment, fall arrest, fall prevention and items within the construction regulations such as hygiene and housekeeping, among other topics. Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes hardhat, safety boots, safety glasses, earplugs and anything else needed to protect the worker while performing assigned tasks. Things like dust-masks, kneepads and faceshields are common requirements, but the list of necessary PPE is not limited to these items. A competent safety representative will advise workers of the proper equipment to use for any given situation, but ultimately it is up to
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The rope grab allows the worker to move around within their work area. the individual to observe safe work practices and use the equipment needed.
Fall prevention Fall arrest and fall prevention are part of the Working at Heights training required by every employer. Since April 2015, in Ontario, mandatory Working At Heights training by a certified Ministry of Labour trainer must be completed no later than March 2017. This
training must be renewed every 36 months. In this segment of the course, each worker learns how to use a full body safety harness and its associated equipment. A properly f itte d and c on n e c te d harness is a workers best defense against a fall while performing tasks in highrisk situations. For a plumber, locating and placing sleeves before a floor is poured and removing test caps from the vent terminals on the roof are two activities that pose significant risk. “Sleeving” a floor is usually a safer assignment than removing caps because the former is part of the active building process, which should include railings for fall prevention, but the latter is often considered a menial task performed after the fact and given little safety consideration. As an apprentice, I was assigned this duty often. I was given a ladder and expected to remove the caps from every house in the subdivision using only my skill as a climber to keep me from falling. Here in Ontario, I now know this practice is illegal and can face on the spot fines of $295 plus a “victim fine surcharge” of 20 percent. After many close calls I realized that I needed a safer way of working at heights so I fashioned a crude safety harness using a cow neck strap I found at a farm supply store and some rope. I used this harness many times effectively on jobsites and for recreational climbing as well. It wasn’t pretty but it kept me safe. Please see “Worksite” on page 46
April 2016 – Plumbing & HVAC
45
Q Site Safety
Worksite cleanliness a safety issue Continued from page 45
Now I wear an approved harness and tie off to a suitable anchor point before putting others and myself at risk. I use the travel restraint method to limit the distance I can travel from my anchor point, which keeps me safely away from the edge and protects those below. One fall prevention item I found particularly interesting was the “rope grab”. It is used as an anchor point for harness attachment when the work at hand requires vertical mobility. This ingenious little device gets attached to a rope or cable and uses a locking cam mechanism that engages in the event of a fall. The device can be slid up or down as needed by lifting the attachment ring, which
temporarily releases the locking mechanism and allows for freedom of movement.
Clear the clutter Housekeeping is an often-overlooked aspect of job-site safety but a cluttered work area is a dangerous place. Up to 30 percent of site accidents and injuries are a result of poor housekeeping. Seemingly minor falls can be life changing and the insult to this injury is that they are so easily prevented. Job-site cleanliness is the general contractor’s responsibility, but controlling one’s own garbage goes a long way in keeping the work place safe. Access and egress points should be kept clear of debris for ease of escape and emergency evacuation. It’s unreal how fast a fire rages through a wooden structure.
Once fire is detected, immediate action must be taken to evacuate the building in a calm manner. If the exits are blocked by debris and/or fallen work-mates, chaos will ensue and lives are at risk from trampling as well as fire. I view every opening as an escape route in an emergency or quitting time on Friday and I don’t want something in my way when it’s time to vacate.
Mark P. Evans is a contractor, master plumber and heating technician based in Waterloo, Ont. He can be reached at mark.evans@live.ca
for the brands you trust. Robertshaw is proud to be your HVACR partner. You know our brandsstaples in the HVACR controls industry for over a century. We understand distributor and OEM needs for quality, technology and delivery excellence.
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Plumbing & HVAC – April 2016
Robertshaw®, Uni-Line®, Ranco®, Paragon® SmartSense® and PerfectSense™ are trademarks of Robertshaw, its subsidiaries and/or affiliated companies. All other brands mentioned may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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Q Training
CMPX Skills Competition intense
No pressure! Matthew Francioni, right, eventually placed third in the post secondary competition.
Competition was intense in the HRAI Heating System Technician Skills Competition – for two of the three days anyway – at CMPX 2016 in Toronto March 16-18. High school students competed the first day, apprentices competed on the second day and, on the third day, the old hands were invited to come up and show the young people how it’s done in the Master’s Challenge. Well, maybe we’ve got that backwards. “The Master’s Challenge is more of a fun event for visitors to the show, so it is not as complex as the secondary and post-secondary skills competitions,” explained HRAI’s Alexandra (Alex) Wennberg, event co-ordinator. Students competed at work stations built by HRAI contractor members. The postsecondary competition for apprentices was the most challenging, with competitors essentially installing a heating system from scratch and firing it up. Spring Break limited the number of competitors in the secondary school competition – all four made the drive in from College Avenue Secondary School in Woodstock. The winners in the three divisions were as follows:
Calgary school dominates water conservation challenge Students from Mount Royal University in Calgary took the top spots in this year’s edition of the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) Water Wise competition, which encourages students to design water conserving plumbing systems for their schools. The winning team of Department of Earth and Environmental Science students Rachel Sank, Angelica Rice, Mark Bateman and Erik Cramer developed green roof implementation plans by proposing to install a demonstration
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multifunctional water collection site. The concept will allow all precipitation (rain or snow melt) to be retained by a live green roof and re-used for an on-demand irrigation system for the school’s greenhouse. “This group demonstrated a thoughtful methodology that would have immediate benefits to the school and surrounding environment,” remarked Ralph Suppa, CIPH president and general manager. The second-place team, made up of Jesse Dias, Michael Theriault, Charne
SECONDARY COMPETITION First - Taylor Benton, College Avenue Secondary School, Woodstock Second - William Inveraity, College Avenue Third - Mark Jentz, College Avenue POST-SECONDARY COMPETITION First - Nigel Degroot, George Brown College Second - Kody Allison, Fanshawe College Third - Matthew Francioni, George Brown College MASTER’S CHALLENGE First - Dan Rietveld, B.R.’s Plumbing & Heating, Tillsonburg Second - Howard Smith, CFB Trenton Third - Tanner Chapman, B.R.’s Plumbing & Heating
Crafford and Tanner Greves, focused on water consumption by toilets, showers and faucets in the Mount Royal recreation area, including change rooms and facility washrooms that manage almost 60,000 people per year. “This case study layered engaging options and ideas across multiple disciplines, which is both refreshing and responsible,” explains Suppa. “Both teams are deserving and not only did they develop priorities, but followed through with detailed presentations that showed a commitment to the importance of water here in Canada – and around the world,” he added. The winning team received $3,000 with the second place finishers receiving $1,500.
April 2016 – Plumbing & HVAC
47
Our new 6EC and 10EC Series sump and effluent pumps are built on the shoulders of 75 years of pure grit and determination. These rugged and efficient workhorses feature cast iron covers and bases*, upper and lower ball bearings, and larger intakes to reduce clogs... all while pumping up to 67 gpm.
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Q Tools & Instruments Large diameter drilling
A smart phone or tablet provides the screen for the Gen-Eye Prism.
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Pipe inspection system uses tablet or smartphone The new Gen-Eye Prism video pipe inspection system lets the tradesman use their tablet or smartphone to monitor and record inspection work. In fact the Wi-Fi transmitter inside the Prism can send video to a designated device up to 500 feet away. The Prism Command Module weighs only three pounds and can be mounted securely on any Gen-Eye GL or POD reel. An expandable cradle on top of the unit safely supports a standard size tablet and adjusts for optimal viewing. Optional brackets for mini-tablets and smartphones are also available. The Prism offers all the features of full-size video inspection systems in a compact, fan-cooled package, including: t 0O TDSFFO EJTUBODF DPVOUFS UP USBDL how much push rod remains in the line t /JOF QBHF UJUMFS XJUI GVMM LFZCPBSE UP add company and job information to videos t 1PXFS QPSU UP LFFQ UIF UBCMFU or Smartphone charged during inspections t %BUF BOE UJNF TUBNQT t -&% EJNNFS DPOUSPM Complete systems feature a self-leveling colour camera that automatically keeps the picture right side up – and two, three, and six-inch trap skids. Prism’s 512 Hz transmitter also permits quick, accurate camera tracking with General’s rugged, easyto-use Hot Spot pipe locator. General Pipe Cleaners ‹ www.drainbrain.com
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The new Hilti SID 8-A18 Cordless Impact driver is designed for outstanding performance in large diameter drilling and bolting applications. It features a 7/16� hex shank chuck with a lip for easy bit changes and an LED light to illuminate the work surface. An 18-volt lithium-ion battery provides power. The company has also launched a complete line of high performance auger bits that have been designed to increase drilling performance in heavy wood. Hilti ‹ www.hilti.ca
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April 2016 – Plumbing & HVAC
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Q People & Places The
People
Kevin Haine
Glen Bolger
Ecco Manufacturing, Langley, B.C., has named Kevin Laine director of manufacturing sales and Glen Bolger as director of manufacturing operations. The Radiant Professionals Alliance (RPA) has honoured John Goshulak, P.Eng., of Weil-McLain Canada with the prestigious Carlson-Holohan Industry Award of Excellence, which is bestowed upon an individual for his or her combined dedication to teaching, mentoring, and raising funds for philanthropic causes on
behalf of the North American steam and hydronic industry.
IN MEMORIAM Industry veteran Norm Mierkalns died on Feb. 17 after a battle with cancer. Norm had a long career in the industry, most recently Norm with Mitsubishi and Mierkalns previously with LG and Wolseley. He was an active volunteer with a number of associations. He leaves behind his wife, Shelley, his children Mark, Scott, and Kirstin, and his parents, Roman and Zigrida. Norm made it abundantly clear that he did not want people to feel sad, so family and friends gave him one last party at his favourite pub, The Coach & Lantern in Ancaster, Ont., on Feb. 25.
The
Companies HVAC/R contractor AtlasCare, Oakville, Ont., has received the HomeStars Giving Back Award in recognition of its fundraising efforts in support of the Peel Dufferin Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. In 2015 it raised almost $70,000 through the annual MS Peel Dufferin Chapter Golf Classic and has raised $184,000 since becoming title sponsor in 2012. Viessmann Manufacturing Company Inc., Waterloo, Ont., has announced the winners of its MAX (Marketing, Accomplishment and Excellence) sales awards for 2015. Presented annually, first place went to DisTech Inc., Repentigny, Que. and second went to North Sales Agency Inc., Sudbury, Ont. Viessmann has 17 sales territories and representatives across Canada.
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The Canadian Institute of Plumbing and H e a t i n g presented WaterAid Canada with the inaugural National Water Wise Award for its work to improve access to safe water, hygiene and toilets in the world’s poorest communities. Above, WaterAid Canada CEO Nicole Hurtubise accepts the award from Claude Des Rosiers (Boone Plumbing) on behalf of CIPH, while Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson proclaimed World Plumbing Day. Weil-McLain Canada, Burlington, Ont., announces its product distribution in Northern Ontario will now be split depending on boiler application. Integrity Sales, North Bay, Ont. will oversee residential sales on boilers up to 400,000 Btu/h. Northern Mechanical Sales, Garson, Ont., will handle commercial boilers exceeding 400,000 Btu/h.
Viega LLC, Wichita, Kansas, has announced a partnership with ARCOM, Salt Lake City, Utah, to promote Viega products in MasterSpec specification software. Yorkland Controls Ltd., Toronto, has acquired Wiles-Legault of Ottawa. Ottawa operations will remain under the direction of Ron Gravelle. The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada has a new home at 2350 Matheson Blvd. E., Suite 101, Mississauga, Ont. Telephone numbers are unchanged. Wolseley Canada, Waterworks Div., Burlington, Ont. has acquired Underground Specialties Inc. with locations in Windsor, Chatham and Cambridge, Ont. It is a distributor of water, sewage and drainage products and a fabricator of concrete manholes and catch basins. Underground Specialties will continue to operate under its own name and its 28 employees have been welcomed into the Wolselely family.
Brian Scott, Wolseley Ontario waterworks GM (second from right) welcomes, from left, Rob Walsh, Fritz Stephenson, Doug Paterson, Sandra Galway, Ryan Lengyell and Mark Lengyell.
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Q Shop Management This means targeting the right geographical area and age groups and even income levels. Social media campaigns don’t survive in a vacuum either. You can’t just “be on Facebook” and hope it all works out. It’s best to use social media in addition to direct response online marketing like search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click advertising (PPC), and email marketing. Once you get these areas nailed down, you’re ready to tackle social media. The content you create to achieve your SEO goals generally works well to educate and inform your social media followers.
e v i t c e f f E
Making Facebook work If you’re new to social media, you’ll want to focus on Facebook as it’s the best platform to start with. Chances are you already know a handful of people on Facebook you can leverage to get started as well. Once you get the If you thought “social media” was just a buzz hang of Facebook, you’ve built a following and phrase for tech savvy small businesses, it’s most importantly you’re bringing in business time to take another look at how you can put from it, you’ll want to branch out and use it to work for you. As the millennial generation Twitter and Instagram to reach even further. begins to push into their mid 30’s, they’re There are two ways to use Facebook the largest growing customer base for those strategically to market your business. The first offering home maintenance and improvement is paying for your posts or ads to reach an services. Social media is a very powerful tool audience. The second is sharing great content for plumbing and HVAC and growing your business companies to grow and reach page organically. Generally You can’t this demographic group. speaking, when you’re first There are a lot of just “be on starting out, you’ll want to misconceptions around run some PPC ads or pay how to effectively use Facebook” and hope it to promote your posts to social media to grow your build an audience. As your business. It’s a highly all works out. following expands, growth effective way to build your will be more organic as brand and your company people share your content when used correctly. If you’re not using social across Facebook. media to talk to your customers, you’re greatly There’s only one rule for succeeding on limiting your presence and branding. Facebook and social media: share great content. I can’t stress that enough. Selecting the right platform Now great content doesn’t mean award There are many different social media winning. It means relevant. If you’re just going platforms and websites to choose from and to spam people with offers for your service, it can be difficult to select the platform that no matter how pretty they look, that’s almost will work best for you. Facebook alone has certainly going to be a waste of their time and 1.6 billion daily users and it’s still growing. yours. You’ll want to use the platform to push However, we’re mostly interested in a small, your business where appropriate, but no one but highly relevant, group of people: those is going to follow a page that just repeatedly most likely to use your product or service. sends out its contact info and pricing.
SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES
Or how to target the millennial generation as they enter their 30s by Ken McLauchlin
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Relevant content Relevant content can be an article you wrote, or an article from another website that the audience would find useful. For example, here are a few titles that would work well on social media: t 'JWF 5JQT UP ,FFQ 1JQFT 'SPN 'SFF[JOH JO Winter t 8IZ %VDU $MFBOJOH 4IPVME #F BU UIF 5PQ PG Your Spring Cleaning List t )PX $IBOHJOH :PVS "JS 'JMUFS 8JMM $IBOHF Your Life These types of articles are likely to be shared around if they are interesting and relevant. Obviously timing is important. That’s what makes them relevant. The goal is to build an audience that interacts with you when they DON’T need your service. This ensures you’ll be right in front of them when they DO need your service. It positions you as the expert they trust. It’s best if the article you’re sharing is something you’ve created for your website or
blog for SEO purposes. However, you’ll need to be sharing frequently on Facebook to see any growth, which can be time consuming. Look for great websites and blogs that provide articles like this and share them. Even if you didn’t write them, your audience will still reward you by passing around your post and following your page as the content is relevant.
Add photos and graphics You’ll want to use images that stand out on Facebook when linking to your website as well. Browse Facebook at any given time and you’ll see plenty of posts and images being shared. Make sure yours stands out. If you’re being generic, your post will likely fade into all the other noise out there. Don’t be shy about buying ads on Facebook either. If you have a great offer, tell people about it. Promote that post or buy PPC ads. Facebook’s advertising tools allow you to target the exact audience you’re looking to reach. It’s a great way to bring in business
quickly and is often less expensive than Google AdWords. With all of the hype surrounding social media it’s easy to get lost in the noise. Keep it simple and start with one platform at a time. Once you’ve built a following and you’re bringing in business from it, move on to the next. This allows you to build your brand, but most importantly position yourself ahead of your competitors on marketing platforms that are growing dramatically by the day. Ken McLauchlin is the founder and owner of HVAC Marketing in St. Catherines, Ont., an online marketing agency specializing in the HVAC and Plumbing industries. He has worked with many mechanical contractors and is also the author of the HVAC Online Marketing Handbook. He can be reached at Ken@HVACMarketing.ca.
Residential & Commercial Water Heaters and Boilers for the Professional Installer Water heaters and boilers, residential and commercial, high efficiency and high output – Bradford White has the products you can count on for years of reliable service. We build water heaters in Michigan and boilers in New Hampshire. But no matter the location, each manufacturing facility is staffed with a highly skilled and experienced workforce. We have exactly what you need, to get the job done and help you build a very long list of greatly satisfied customers. If what you do for a living involves water heaters and boilers, remember this – Bradford White is an American manufacturer that builds products for wholesale distribution to a dedicated group of professional installers. These are your products. We are your Bradford White.
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Q Coming Events
Oil heat industry will meet in Charlottetown Members of the oil heating industry will visit one of Canada’s most picturesque little cities this year. Cleaner Heat 2016, the annual conference of the Canadian Oil Heat Association, will take place in Charlottetown June 7-9 at the Delta Prince Edward Hotel. A full slate of activities is planned, including numerous educational sessions. Attendees will receive an update on the steps that COHA
is taking to tackle a number of industry issues. Oil burner training will be front and centre with representatives of various trade colleges reporting. There will be a session on oil spills and the due diligence that industry members need to take. Contractors can count on some marketing assistance in “Top ten reasons to heat with oil.� Another session will look at ways to improve heating efficiency without replacing the entire appliance. There will also
be seminars on the PEI Home Heat Tank Program and commissioning, including correct setup and documentation. An industry specific trade show will feature the newest equipment and ideas. It won’t be all work, however – the oil heating industry knows how to have fun! The COHA Golf Tournament will take place at the beautiful Fox Meadow Golf Course. There will be a group tour of the Rossignal Winery. The event will close with the Light up the Night White Party, where participants are encouraged to dress in white for a night of entertainment and dancing. For more information, visit www. cleanerheat.ca or call 1-800-257-1593.
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Allied Air............................................. 19 AquaTech............................................ 26 Arkema Canada .................................. 27 Bibby Ste Croix ............................. 29, 31 Bradford White ................................... 53 Caleffi................................................. 55 Camus ................................................ 42 Cash Acme ......................................... 49 Coldmax ............................................. 37 Fieldpiece............................................ 33 Flir Systems ........................................... 2 Franklin Electric ................................... 48 General Pipe Cleaners ........................... 8 Hilmor ................................................ 40 Holdrite .............................................. 51 IBC Technologies ................................... 4 ICP Canada ........................................... 9 IPEX .................................................... 10 Liberty Pumps ..................................... 36 MEET Show ........................................ 54 Mitsubishi Electric ............................... 22 Napoleon ............................................ 14 Noritz ................................................. 41 RIDGID................................................ 56 Riobel ................................................. 43 Robert Shaw ....................................... 46 Selkirk................................................. 35 Stelpro ................................................ 50 Uponor ............................................... 18 Victaulic .............................................. 17 Viega .................................................. 28 Viessmann .......................................... 16 Zoeller Pumps ..................................... 23
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Hydronic water treatment filling units Water is the “life-blood” of hydronic systems. Just as we strive to maintain the health of our own circulatory systems, it’s important to maintain the “health” of water and water based solutions that circulate through the hydronic systems we construct and maintain. HYDROFILL™ portable water treatment filling units remove “hard water" scale producing minerals, such as calcium and magnesium from job-site water. Salts and other soluble minerals are eliminated to prevent premature equipment malfunction including reduced efficiency or component failure due to scale formation. HYDROFILL™ is a convenient tool for installers to use job-site water to produce ideal grade demineralized water at an economical cost per gallon.
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