n Hot Seat July/August 2022 Volume 32, Number 5 ISSN 1919-0395
Publisher Mark Vreugdenhil (289) 638-2133 ext.1 Cell: (416) 996-1031 mark@plumbingandhvac.ca Editor Leah Den Hartogh (289) 638-2133 ext. 2 Cell: (289) 830-1217 leah@plumbingandhvac.ca Assistant Editor Francesco Lo Presti (289) 638-2133 ext. 3 francesco@plumbingandhvac.ca
Changing the game Every once in a while, I go through old issues to compare how things were to how the industry is now. About 12 years ago, Simon Blake wrote a column about how often the industry goes through periods of change. “Anyone who has been in the industry for more than 10 years has probably lost count of the number of changes they have seen in everything from equipment, to codes, to business practices.” After more than a decade, I am fairly confident that there aren’t many people in this industry that wouldn’t agree with this statement. The timeliest example is Amendment 17 to Canada’s energy regulations. Nowadays, it feels like there is consistently something new coming down the pipeline regarding energy efficiency, decarbonization, or electrification. I think it’s even safe to say that in every issue published this calendar year, there has been an article or two that highlights these themes. The new amendment will be affecting the mechanical trades; split system central air conditioners, split system central heat pumps, electric motors, electric water heaters, gas-fired storage water heaters, oil-fired water heaters, and walk-in freezer/cooler components have all been included. Harmonization between Canada and the United States is the driving force behind the changes, which the industry has been pushing
Facebook: @PlumbingandHVAC
for not only in energy efficiency regulations but in several other areas as well. There is some concern from industry associations on both sides of the border with the amendment regarding misalignment, according to a letter sent to Rob Singleton, team lead of standards development at Natural Resources Canada, by AHRI, HRAI, and CIPH. The consultation period for the amendment has been closed for well over a month now and the amendment is expected to come into force six months after its publication in the Canada Gazette. Hopefully, some of the issues that were highlighted by the association were able to make it into the update. I am confident that this year will round out with only more and more focus on energy efficiency and decarbonization as the industry looks at its role in climate change. That being said, the steps that have been taken by the industry, whether it is by the manufacturers that have improved the efficiencies of products, companies implementing “green” corporate initiatives, or contractors diving into the world of net zero, there can already be a lot to celebrate.
LinkedIn: Plumbing + HVAC Magazine
Twitter: @Plumbing_HVAC_
Instagram: plumbing_hvac_
Contributing Writers Roy Collver, Ron Coleman, Mark P. Evans, Bill Hooper, Michael McCartney, Glenn Mellors Bruce Nagy, Greg Scrivener Design and Production Tim Norton/Janet Popadiuk production@plumbingandhvac.ca All articles and photos by Plumbing & HVAC staff unless noted.
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. Marked Business Media Inc. 286 King Street W, Unit 203, Oshawa, ON L1J 2J9 Tel: (289) 638-2133 Postmaster: Send all address changes and circulation inquiries to: Plumbing & HVAC Magazine, 286 King Street W, Unit 203, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada L1J 2J9. Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 43029513. Postage paid at Toronto, ON. Annual Subscription Canada: $40.00 plus applicable taxes, single copy $5.00 plus applicable taxes. Annual Subscription United States: $60.00 U.S. Annual Subscription foreign: $90.00 U.S. Copyright 2022. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without the prior written permission of the Publisher.
A member of: • Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating • Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada • Ontario Plumbing Inspectors Association • American Society of Heating Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers • Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada • Refrigeration Service Engineers Society of Canada
