May/June 2014 by Plumbing and HVAC

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High volume kitchens Better mechanical systems reduce operating costs

INSIDE ■ Atlantic show draws a crowd ■ Study urges expansion of apprenticeship ■ Industry contest targets engineering students ■ Retain customers when competitor undercuts prices

MAY/JUNE 2014

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Q Contents

Kitchen & Bath Issue

Departments Hot Seat .........................................5 Alternate apprenticeship path?

Industry News ..............................7 Attendance up at Atlantic show

Letters ..........................................10 Let’s call an ECM an ECM

People & Places ...........................43 New appointments and company initiatives

Shop Management .....................44 Remaining competitive in tough market

Coming Events ............................46 Industry motorcyclists to support Habitat

Products & Technologies Faucets & Fixtures .......................17

Today’s inspection cameras

Wi-Fi capability adds opportunities

Features

Drain Tech....................................21 Pipes, Valves & Fittings...............25 Air Conditioning..........................27 Refrigeration ...............................31 Heating ........................................34 Tools & Instruments ....................39 High volume kitchens

Green technology brings operating savings

Cover: The new Trump Tower in Toronto

The changing world of AC coils

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New applications on tap for environmentally friendly refrigerant May/June 2014 – Plumbing & HVAC

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Q Hot Seat

May/June 2014 Volume 24, Number 4 ISSN 1919-0395

Publisher Mark Vreugdenhil (416) 614-5819 mark@plumbingandhvac.ca

Apprenticeship alternative needed I am beginning to wonder if it isn’t time to rethink how this industry trains its tradesmen. The current apprenticeship system doesn’t seem to be working very well. Contractors tell me they can’t afford to hire apprentices. The days of having two guys on a service truck – typically a journeyman and apprentice – seems to have largely disappeared. The industry laments that it can’t attract young people, but college instructors tell me their pre-apprenticeship programs are full, but many of those young people can’t get jobs. The concept behind apprenticeship has always been good – that an apprentice works alongside a journeyman to learn the trade, with a period of school every year to learn the theory along with aspects of the trade that his employer is not involved in. The idea is that an apprentice receives a broad-based trade education through a combination of practical experience and school. Of course, depending on the employer, the apprentice can also spend four years threading pipe! And apprentices get sent home if there’s no work. When that happens, many just move on to other jobs, resulting in a poor completion rate for apprenticeships in this country. The reality is that apprenticeship is not working well. Not only are many contractors unable or unwilling to hire apprentices, but there are signiﬁcant differences from one company to the next in how apprentices are treated. Apprenticeship often doesn’t work well for small companies. The original idea was that a person would apprentice with a company and stay with that

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company. But better money often lures them elsewhere once they have their ticket. It doesn’t make much sense for a contractor to spend time and money training apprentices and then not receive the benefit of that effort once the person has completed their training. For all these reasons, I can’t help but wonder if it wouldn’t make sense to provide an alternate path for achieving a journeyman license. We could keep the traditional apprenticeship system where it works, but offer an alternative path that reverses the school versus practical concept. Apprentices would do three or four years in trade school with a six-week co-op placement with a contractor each year. It would become a college program like any other and the students would graduate with their journeyman papers. This would make them immediately employable upon graduation. It would also open up the trades to anyone because having family or friends in the business would become less of a factor in hiring. The traditional apprenticeship system is entrenched in our industry. There’s no substitute for practical experience in the field. But if it is becoming too difficult to make apprenticeship work for contractors and would-be tradesmen alike, it’s time to find a different route.

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PLUMBING & HVAC Magazine is published eight times annually by NEWCOM 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.

NEWCOM Business Media Inc. 451 Attwell Drive, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M9W 5C4 Tel: (416) 614-2200 • Fax (416) 614-8861

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Q Industry News

Attendance up at Atlantic show By Simon Blake

High quality exhibits

Organizers of this year’s MEET Show in Moncton, N.B. made a concerted effort to boost attendance and their efforts proved successful. “Going into the show for 2014, we identified the attendance as the one piece of the show that we wanted to work on. Traditionally, there has never been an issue selling booth space, so we spent most of our time talking about how to get the extra attendance,” reported show chairman Mike Patterson, Atlantic plumbing regional manager for Emco Corporation. When the show took place May 7-8 at the Moncton Coliseum, those efforts proves successful. Attendance was up eight percent over the 2014 show with over 6,200 people. Patterson credits the increase to a number of factors. Key among those was encouraging counter staff at wholesalers to register contractors for the show, with two $500 prizes, one for electrical and the other for mechanical, going to the wholesale counter team that signed up the most people. As well, organizers targeted engineers by ensuring that attendance at the show and seminars qualiﬁed for engineering education credits.

In total, 438 exhibitors displayed their products, up from 411 in 2012. The exhibits were high quality – comparable to the best trade shows in Canada, reported Patterson, who noted that he received a number of positive comments. Innovation Awards were presented to manufacturers with the most innovative products. Navien won the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) award for its NCB-180, 210 and 240 condensing tankless DHW heaters. The ASHRAE N.B./P.E.I. Chapter innovation award went to the SKD Direct Multi-Steam Injection Humidiﬁer with integrated reevaporator from Neptronic. The industry dinner is always a hit. This year’s event with comedian Matthew DiSero – whose act consisted primarily of bringing audience members on stage and roasting them – was no exception with over 500 people in attendance. The ﬁrst-ever MEET Show Recognition Award was presented to Ralph Smith, who is well known in the electrical engineering community and who played a major role in establishing the MEET Show in 1986. The Skills Canada New Brunswick Competition for refrigeration, electrical and plumbing took place during the show.

Many visitors were seen carrying loaves of bread, thanks to a promotion by Viega. Mark Evans, left, explains that there are better ways to plug a pipe than stufﬁng a piece of bread into it. In refrigeration, Aaron Wright took gold, Matthew MacFarlane won silver and Chris McConnell was bronze. In plumbing, Brad Stiles won gold, Kevin Goguen silver and Jean-Francois Savoie took bronze. New Brunswick expects to send 30 competitors to the Skills Canada Competition in Toronto in June. Patterson expects the show committee will continue to focus on attendance for the next MEET Show in May, 2016.

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Q Industry News

Expand apprenticeship programs, report recommends Expanding Canada’s apprenticeship systems would boost both the economy and youth employment, says a report. Governments, educators and employers must work together to sharply increase both the number and range of apprenticeships for young Canadians, recommends the report – Expanding apprenticeship training in Canada: perspectives from international experience, prepared for the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE). It says that apprenticeship should be viewed not just as a route to a job in the skilled trades, but also as a mainstream option for young people and a common recruitment strategy for firms in a wide range of industries and sectors. Currently, almost half of Canada’s 426,000 registered apprentices are in one of four occupations: automotive service technician, carpenter, electrician and plumber. “Continuing the emphasis on ‘trades’ is counterproductive since it suggests that apprenticeships are limited to a relatively narrow range of occupations,” says the author, Dr. Robert Lerman, a professor of economics at American University in Washington, D.C. He suggests expanding Canada’s apprenticeship system to include white collar and service industry jobs.

be addressed. The report also notes that apprenticeship remains the best way to learn a skilled trade or occupation. “Many of these skills cannot be learned effectively within the classroom alone, for several reasons,” says Lerman. First, gaining sufficient skill to master an occupational task generally requires applying what one knows in the context of the task. Skilled workers in almost all fields – from surgeon to

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master chef to industrial engineer – need hands-on experience. Second, most students learn faster and retain more when practical experience is part of the learning process. Third, the nature of employability skills differs to some extent by profession. The communication skills required by a salesperson are different than those needed by a programmer or an auto repair technician.” The full report can be found at www.ceocouncil.ca.

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Younger apprentices One of the biggest problems in Canada is a disconnect between high schools and apprenticeship programs, report Lerman. He points out that Canada’s apprenticeship system is geared primarily to adults aged 25 and older and, therefore, does little to ease the transition between the classroom and the labour market. This contrasts with the approach taken in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, countries where there are strong links between employers and the public education system and, Lerman points out, low rates of youth unemployment. “A more extensive system of apprenticeship in Canada would require close collaboration between high schools and employers,” the report says. “Importantly, it would require extensive counselling on apprenticeship and other career-oriented options by grade 10.” The report also notes that high journeyman to apprentice ratios in some provinces are a signiﬁcant barrier to young people seeking an apprenticeship.

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Canada’s system It’s not all bad. The report acknowledges that apprenticeship training is more widely available in Canada than in the United States and many other countries. The number of apprentices doubled over the 25 years between 1977 and 2002 and has more than doubled since 2002, reaching about 426,000 in 2011. Apprentices account for about 2.4 per cent of total employment in Canada and more than 20 per cent of post-secondary enrolment. By comparison, registered apprentices represent only about one-quarter of one per cent of total U.S. employment. However, low completion rates for Canadian apprentices need to

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May/June 2014 – Plumbing & HVAC

Q Letters

Let’s call an ECM an ECM Dear Editor: “Equipped with a brushless DC motor,” the new term in Ontario, is in my personal opinion DEAD WRONG! This motor is essentially a three-phase AC motor that uses a rotor with three permanent magnets secured to the rotor by epoxy. This motor takes 120V single phase power and converts it to a DC waveform, adjusts the frequency

and then sends it back out as a three-phase waveform. The term ECM (electrically commutated motor) is and was appropriate. If they did not like it they should have told the manufacturers to change the name. Again, it’s a case of government knowing what is best. NOT! I tell all my clients when they ask for the DC motor or say they do not want the DC motor that, yes, we do

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Dear editor: I was reading the latest copy of Plumbing & HVAC (April 2014) and stumbled across the “correction” in light blue on page 21… You have probably received a bunch of similar emails before this one…. sorry. You had the formula right in the ﬁrst place – unless you were talking about an electric furnace or other appliance that is 100 percent efﬁcient (where input = output). The correct base engineering formula would be Output BTU = CFM x 1.08 x Delta T (S/A – R/A) To change to CFM, the formula becomes … CFM = BTU Output 1.08 x Delta T Eric Shaw Baymar Supply Ltd. London, Ont.

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Q Building Green A high-tech trash disposal system at the new Trump Hotel in Toronto minimizes operating costs.

for contractors to get involved with this growing trend. While greener kitchen technology has been popular in institutions for some time, there is also now more demand for sustainable approaches in thousands of restaurants. The Canadian Restaurant & Foodservice Association and the U.S. National Restaurant Association are both working with members on green tech programs. As well, recent chef surveys in both countries show local foods and sustainability are among the top expectations with restaurant customers.

Dishwashing efﬁciency

Green technology results in substantial operating cost savings By Bruce Nagy

hether you’re talking trash treatment at a Donald Trump hotel, cleaner technology for cleaner dishes at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), glycol and pressure controlled refrigeration in U.S. hospitals, or smarter cooking systems and ventilation hoods in Vancouver; high volume kitchens are going greener. And there are obviously a lot of ways

Plumbing & HVAC – May/June 2014

The MTCC is among Canada’s largest convention centres at 185,806 square metres (two million sq. ft.). Its food services operation serves more than one million plates each year. Before upgrading its dish room, the MTCC was using more than 4.7 million litres of water per year at a rate of 1555 litres (342 gallons) per hour. Afterwards, this had dropped to 409 litres (90 gallons) per hour, a reduction of about 72 percent, and a savings of more than $26,000 each year on the water bill. The saving was attributed to a redesigned space and the latest “ware washing” systems that re-use heat energy and optimize rinse water. “The older systems would heat water from about 11ºC (52ºF) to the required 82ºC (180ºF) for dishwashing,” said Larry Bishop, technical specialist with Hobart Food Equipment Group Canada in Edmonton. This new one uses a heat exchanger to recapture heat energy from the hottest rinse water and reuse it to take cold water up to 43ºC (110ºF). “Then we just have to boost it to 82ºC.” The system also handles rinsing differently, using a complex process of superheating steam and

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New dishwashing systems reduced the water bill at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre by $26,000 per year.

Smart range hoods at UCLA provide ventilation only as needed, resulting in substantial energy savings.

generating larger droplets to achieve further efficiencies. The system was installed through collaboration between the design engineers, the equipment distributor, plumbing trades and the manufacturer’s equipment specialists. The new layout and conveyor system also reduced heat and humidity in the dish room, and eliminated a lot of unhealthy lifting, twisting and turning for workers.

exchanger built into the flue stack helps recapture some of the exhaust heat energy. Business unit manager Larry Lyons calls it the most innovative steamer in 80 years, because of these two energy saving features.

Smart exhaust hoods Up to 60 percent of kitchen ventilation energy can be wasted because many volume kitchens run vent fans at top speed around the clock, regardless of cooking activity, reported B.C. Hydro’s Greg Morandini. This wastes fan power and it adds to the HVAC load. Multispeed motors can help if cooks make manual adjustments, but it’s better to have a smart hood featuring demand control. ASHRAE 90.1 now requires these smart hoods where 5,000 CFM or more is needed. B.C. and Ontario have adopted this standard. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and other University of California campuses upgraded to smart hoods and estimated fan operation savings at 62 percent. The university used the Melink Intelli-Hood package that controls the speed of the exhaust and make-up air fans through variable frequency drives, based on input signals from temperature probes in the exhaust duct collars as well as infrared beams in the fume hood. The sensors react to temperatures and

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efﬂuent. The payback is projected at less than five years. The Ottawa Hospital recently installed the same system. A similar product made by Halton Indoor Climate Systems, Ltd., Mississauga, Ont., is now being used in kitchens at the CN Tower, Air Canada Centre and Centennial College in Toronto.

Better refrigeration The Piedmont Geriatric Hospital in Burkeville, Virginia serves at least 125,000 meals each year with limited

Please see ‘Food’ on page 15

Trash reduction A unique kitchen waste disposal system at the new Trump Hotel Toronto allows food operations on floors 9, 10 and 31 to efﬁciently discard trash, which is then reduced in volume by an impressive 90 percent. The system combines water with centrifugal vortex action to chop and move 544 kilos of refuse per hour (1200 lbs.), sending it down to the disposers and “pulpers” at ground level. Fresh water is used at the highest level, but on the lower levels they were able to filter and recycle the water used by the system. Operational costs of conventional trash systems such as garbage bags, labour, haulage and landﬁll tipping charges are all significantly reduced by the system’s auto processing and dramatic compaction capability.

Efﬁcient steam cooking Some locations in the Outback SteakHouse restaurant chain use a steam cooker made by the ITW Food Equipment Group in Baltimore under the Vulcan brand name. On this unit, a special flange inside the steam compartment helps achieve a superheating effect; and a heat

May/June 2014 – Plumbing & HVAC

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Q Building Green

Food for thought Continued from page 13 cooking facilities, so it keeps about 5,000 meals in stock using a sophisticated refrigeration system. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The load is 53,500 BTUs per hour and between three compressors we have 84,000 BTUs available, so we have a 36 percent margin of safety,â&#x20AC;? explained Bryan Caviness, engineering manager, refrigeration, for Master-Bilt Products in New Albany, Mississippi. The system consists of three new walk-in coolers and two refurbished walk-ins, all cooled to between -2ÂşC and 0ÂşC (28ÂşF and 32ÂşF) by a glycol parallel rack system that uses ďŹ&#x201A;oating heat pressure technology to lower energy consumption by about 25 percent. It integrates an electronic expansion valve and by reducing the head pressure based on the lowest outside air temperature, the amperage draw is also reduced, saving energy. State-of-the-art digital controls provide precision operation, diagnostics, data logging and monitoring. Variable speed control in the glycol pump helps optimize cooling in the glycol loop that, in turn,

A sophisticated refrigeration system allows the Piedmont Geriatric Hospital to keep 5,000 meals in ďŹ ve walk-in cold storage rooms until needed. cools equipment in the foodservice kitchen. The system requires less refrigerant charge, which is completely contained within the housing of the parallel rack system. Only the chilled glycol is distributed to the kitchen. Less refrigerant and piping mean fewer leaks.

allows governments and restaurants to save money on kitchen operations. Clearly there are numerous environmental beneďŹ ts too, so we can reduce Trump trash, so to speak, on a planet-wide basis. Bruce Nagy is a Toronto-based freelance writer that reports on green technologies and solutions. He can be reached at bruce.nagy@rogers. com.

Smart contractors Many of these technologies and many more are identified by the EPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s EnergyStar symbol and restaurants too are now rated by the Green Restaurant Association. This trend invites smart contractors to enter a growing market and build their business. It

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Q Faucets & Fixtures

Adding value Plumbing upgrades continue to boost home’s worth, says TV host By Simon Blake Plumbing upgrades are still a key way that homeowners can increase the value of their home, says a prominent TV personality. Upgrading kitchens, bathrooms or simply just faucets and fixtures figure prominently in Scott McGillivray’s list of the top five value-added renovations for homes. A professionally done renovation, that is, he added. “Nobody wants to do a renovation that is going to depreciate the value of their home. Some people do,” he remarked, noting that homeowners should get an appraisal done before and after the renovations to make sure they are on the right track. McGillivray, the 34-year-old host of HGTV series Income Property, was speaking at a media day sponsored by Moen Canada in Toronto April 15. Faucets and fixtures place fourth on McGillivray’s list partly because a homeowner can add significant value at relatively little cost. And “it’s something that people touch (when they are looking at a home),” he noted. “A place can look good, but if a faucet is old, rusty and loose, it makes the entire home look run down.”

Bathroom renovation Of course, if the homeowner is going to replace faucets, the rest of bathroom may start to look dated. Simple things like replacing the vanity and lights can make a big difference. McGillivray noted that installing lights above the mirror tends to create a “horror show” effect. “Do yourself a favour and put the lights next to the mirror at eye level,” he advised. And don’t cheap out and use standard drywall, he added. “Put waterproof membranes or cement board behind the tub surround or you will be renovating again within two to three years to save thirty dollars.” Restoring ancient claw foot tubs is a popular trend that McGillivray suggests might not be such a good idea. “It works well as a piece of art” but “the hardware for it is a real challenge and the shower curtain doesn’t quite work.” Stand-alone tubs are popular but free-standing tub hardware can be a problem because it must withstand people leaning on the taps, which can “pop the tiles” if they are not well supported. In fact Moen introduced a new line of tub ﬁllers with a reinforced ﬂoor mounting system during the event. Adding an extra bathroom to a home is number

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Have tools, will travel. Scott McGillivray heads out to rescue another over-mortgaged homeowner. three on McGillivray’s list of ways to add value. He said the best way to approach bathroom design is to add one or two things that really shine, like the faucets and ﬂoor tiles, and just focus on making the rest of the room consistent in style.

Nobody wants to do a renovation that is going to depreciate the value of their home. Some people do. Into the kitchen Still with plumbing, a kitchen renovation is McGillivray’s number two method of adding of adding value to a home. However, he noted that sometimes people go overboard when a total kitchen renovation might not be necessary. Much can be achieved with new

cabinet doors, paint, tiles, etc. Once again faucets and fixtures are an easy upgrade. He added that one popular trend in today’s kitchens is to have two sinks, not necessarily in the same location. “They don’t have to be identical, but they do have to be consistent.” So if the kitchen, a new bathroom and upgrade fixtures are numbers two, three and four on McGillivray’s top five, what are the other things that add the most value to a home? Well, in the number five spot, flooring is an attention getter. If the homeowner finds original hardwood that can be restored under the current flooring, much can be achieved for very little cash. And McGillivray’s number one home value booster is: Add a rental suite in the home, something that in large cities like Toronto has become almost a must to make the home affordable. In fact, one of the reasons for the popularity of his television show is that he “rescues homeowners from the harsh real-estate market by building income suites to help them afford their mortgages.” But planning is critical along with quality workmanship if the renovation is going to add real value, he says. And that can’t help but provide work for professional plumbers.

May/June 2014 – Plumbing & HVAC

MAKE LOCATING SIMPLER

On-Screen Arrows— Arrows point you in the right direction.

Null Point Icon— All arrows point toward each other indicating the null point and the pipe location.

Line Direction Compass— Outer arrows tell which way to rotate the locator until it’s in line with the lay of the pipe.

Camera Icon— Diamond appears center circle when directly over the camera. On-screen, depth automatically appears.

Get your hands on General’s new Hot Spot™ Pipe Locator. See how it makes your locating simpler. Contact the Drain Brains® at 800-245-6200 or www.drainbrain.com/hotspot. For a distributor in your area: Atlantic Canada Rafales Agency, 514-905-5684 British Columbia West-Am, 877-600-0210 Calgary Hydro Smart Systems, 403-287-7933 Edmonton Tom Donaldson Co., 780-486-2288

Manitoba Tom Beggs Agency, 204-953-1900 Ontario Newgen Sales, 905-895-5999 Quebec Rafales Agency, 514-905-5684 Saskatchewan Asta Sales, 306-933-412

See It In Action Here Now: www.drainbrain.com/hotspot

MADE IN USA

Q Faucets & Fixtures Freestanding tub ﬁller Delta Faucet’s new freestanding tub filler is designed to blend with the company’s Trinsic, Compel and Grail bath collections. It features a separate handshower with pivoting arm, Touch-Clean technology to remove calcium buildup and Delta’s MultiChoice universal valve, which allows trim changes without changing the valve. Three functions are available: a single-function pressure

Solid mounting Moen has introduced new freestanding tub ﬁllers in its traditional Weymouth suite and modern Arris suite (pictured). Available in ﬂoor or wall-mounted versions, they feature a sturdy mounting system to remove the “wobble” that these devices can develop. The Weymouth also features a hand shower with an antique design and porcelain inlays. Both are available in chrome and brushed nickel. Moen Canada www.moen .ca

balance, a dual-function pressure balance, and a new dual-function thermostatic valve cartridge. The tub filler flows at 6-9 gpm. Installation is easy with a single hole, one-post installation with four screws to install the mounting plate. The rough-in valve can go above or below the stringer. Finish options include chrome, stainless and bronze. Delta Faucet www.deltafaucet.ca

Classic design As American Standard enters its 15th decade in business, it has launched its DXV collection, a ﬂagship portfolio of luxury kitchen and bath products. For those seeking a truly classic look, the St. George Suite features stately, sculptural, and well-proportioned bath ﬁxtures that pay tribute to the decorative details perfected by artisans and craftsmen at the turn of the last century. The collection includes a freestanding tub, toilets, lavatory, pedestal sink and console. American Standard www.americanstandard.ca

Kohler Launches New Rainhead Design For those who like music in the shower, Kohler has introduced its new Rainhead version of its Moxie showerhead and wireless speaker. It streams audio through Bluetooth-enabled devices. The new shower features ninety angled nozzles and utilizes air-induction technology to maximize the combination of air and water to deliver a full, rich spray. It is available in white, chrome, brushed nickel and oil-rubbed bronze ﬁnishes. Kohler www.kohler.ca

High efﬁciency ﬂushing The UltraMax II 1G toilet from Toto with the company’s Double Cyclone flushing technology is designed to deliver ultra high-efficiency flushing using only one U.S. gallon of water. This gravity-fed system features two water jets, positioned on each side of the bowl’s interior to effectively clean the bowl without pressure-assist technology. Toto www.totousa.com

One Choice. One Zurn. Innovative solutions for new construction and retroﬁt applications. Commercial buildings today require more than just a handful of products. Zurn total building solutions provide proven results. We focus on delivering innovative products that offer savings in time, cost and labour. The breadth of our offering provides products to meet every objective. So when it comes to retroﬁtting plumbing products for your entire facility, there’s only one choice. Zurn. ZS880

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May/June 2014 – Plumbing & HVAC

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Q Drain Tech

Today’s

inspection

Wireless transmitting creates opportunities, speeds work process By Simon Blake

cameras

New recording and battery technogies have made cameras and monitors more compact than ever.

hen P&HVAC last reviewed drain inspection cameras three years ago, the big news was digital recording. As well, cameras had become considerably more compact with LCD monitors and secure digital (SD) cards were becoming the video storage device of choice. Some of today’s cameras can transmit via wireless network (Wi-Fi). Many are equipped with USB ports, also allowing easy transfer of ﬁles to a computer. And manufacturers have expended considerable effort to make cameras durable and easy to use. “Digital recording is very easy now. In all of our monitors we have one touch recording and one touch image capture,” reported Eric Huber, senior product manager, diagnostics, for the Ridge Tool Co., Elyria, Ohio.

Better communication The addition of Wi-Fi allows the drain technician to transmit the inspection instantly to a computer, tablet, phone, etc. He can send it to the customer, instantly if necessary, and it also allows him to transmit it to his

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supervisor for advice on repairs. It can be sent out to multiple people, or if the ﬁle is too big it can be uploaded to a video hosting network like YouTube (www.youtube.com) and the contractor simply sends out a link. This considerably speeds up the work process because the contractor doesn’t actually need to meet the customer face to face before a decision can be made on the required repairs. “The old system with VHS tapes or burning DVDs were limited in that you had them in one hard form, but they were hard to send to multiple people and they weren’t as easy to keep track of,” noted Mike Silverman, vice president of operations and manufacturing for General Pipe Cleaners in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. The contractor can save each inspection video and link it to the customer’s account to easily review the history if he receives another call from that customer. And while instant transmission is a beneﬁt, it is also something that will be seldom used with the customer because the contractor has a better chance of selling the repairs with a professional report. “As the camera is going down the line, one looks pretty much the same as another, so if the plumber is trying to explain the problem to the customer, just having a video doesn’t always do what he needs,” noted Silverman. Unfamiliarity with electronic technology was a barrier in the past, but that is changing rapidly as more and more people adopt smart phones.

The Ridgid system Ridgid has its own digital recording and reporting system. Ridgid Connect reduces the number of steps required to edit a video, prepare a professional report and get it up on the Internet where the client can see it, reported Brad Yuronich, manager of business development for Ridgid Software Solutions. “You don’t need to necessarily go in and overwrite the video anymore because you can mark those key segments in the video and have someone look at it in

Please see ‘Camera’ on page 23

May/June 2014 – Plumbing & HVAC

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Q Drain Tech

Camera care in a harsh environment Continued from page 21 their computer,” he added. Many contractors use it as a sales tool, customized for their particular needs with standardized content like logos, maintenance tips, contact information and marketing, he added. A contractor can get started with as little as a video file and an e-mail address. “The system will take care of the rest of it from there.” As they get more used to using it, they can add features to their reports. The system offers built-in contact management, allowing the contractor to keep track of customers with histories and videos on the work done for them. Ridgid expects to soon offer more Ridgid Connect functions for smart phones, reported Yuronich.

Lighter and more compact Cameras have become considerably more compact in recent years due to the adoption of LCD screens, more compact recording technology and, in some models, lithium ion batteries. In fact Ridgid uses the same battery in its cameras that it uses in its pipe press connection tools.

“Portability is big; you don’t have to carry a hundred or two hundred foot extension cord. And the battery will run the unit for four hours or more,” reported Huber. In addition to its wireless technology, Ratech Electronics displayed it’s Pan n’ Tilt technology for four-inch and larger pipe at the recent MEET Show in Moncton, N.B. This allows the technician to guide an articulated camera head around obstructions, or down the correct branch of a Y, with a joystick and do a more thorough examination of the inside of the pipe as the head rotates 360º and 210º up and down.

Better monitors Another big advance in recent years has been the addition of transflective screens readable in direct sunlight. The luminance value of the monitor – the brightness – is measured in NITs. The higher the NIT rating, the better the monitor can be viewed in sunlight, noted Rocky Veselisin of Ratech Electronics, Vaughan, Ont. This used to be an expensive technology, he added, but the cost is now about 40 percent of what it was. LCD monitors are also getting larger, with some screens over 10 inches. However, with wireless or a cable from the USB port, the contractor can also connect the camera to his laptop if he needs a bigger picture.

attaches to the push rod. The more the technician can do to clear the drain with a snake or jetter prior to an inspection, the less possibility of damage and the better the video. “If you’re running a camera down a clogged up dirty line, the best camera in the world is going to just show a bunch of mud and you are not going to see anything… The cleaner the line is when the camera goes down, the better the plumber is going to be able to evaluate it,” said Silverman. However, it often depends on the situation, says Huber. If the pipe is not ﬁlled with water, sometimes it’s possible to put the camera down to see what is blocking it. “Our cameras are made to be put through their paces, whether the line has been cleaned or not.” Pushrods are typically made up of conductor wires running inside a ﬁberglass rod with a protective sheathing on the outside. They can develop soft spots or cracks. Carrying a repair kit, such as General’s “Rescue Wrap,” in the truck results in a more permanent repair than electrical or duct tape. When buying a camera, Silverman

For the typical contractor, a fullsized camera is rugged and will cover the majority of his needs. suggests that contractor buy a fullsize camera and, in the interests of durability, go with the largest diameter pushrod that they can use in the size of pipes they plan to inspect. “People are always trying to save money by buying a lighter weight perhaps less expensive camera system, only to ﬁnd out the life expectancy of the push rod and the camera is much less and the increased cost comes out in repairs,” he added.

Micro-cameras

Ratech’s Eugenio Rupa demonstrates wireless technology at the MEET Show in Moncton. Whatever the camera sees is transmitted instantly to the tablet computer in his hand, which in a work situation might be on the other side of town.

www.plumbingandhvac.ca

One trend in 2011 was towards smaller “micro-cameras” – some as small as 5/8inch diameter. However, they weren’t self-leveling. That may change. But the smaller moving parts and tighter tolerances may make the technology more expensive and less durable, so unless the contractor has a particular need he’s better off with a conventional camera, said Silverman. A locator is almost essential with a camera so that the contractor knows exactly where to dig. Today’s locators are extremely accurate. The differences are in ease of operation and cost.

Don’t break it! Cameras can take a beating. The weakest point is typically where the camera head

May/June 2014 – Plumbing & HVAC

Q Pipes, Valves & Fittings Universal tub drain The Universal NuFit tub drain from Watco fits all standard bathtub drains, resists corrosion, is available in nine designer finishes. It also features a high flow grid strainer to prevent hair clogs and is easy to install. It fits over any standard bathtub drain so there is no need to remove the strainer body. It is available with or without an overflow plate and with push, pull or foot actuated stopper. Watco www.watcomfg.com

New stainless option Victaulic today has expanded its Vic-300 MasterSeal butterfly valve line with a completely stainless steel version. The new Series 461 stainless steel butterﬂy valve provides a cost-competitive option for the HVAC and potable water markets. It is NSF 61/372 approved to meet low-lead requirements, and is rated for cold and hot potable water service. It is designed for pressures ranging from full vacuum to 300 psi (2,065 kPa) and for bi-directional, dead-end services to full working pressure. Available sizes range from three to eight inches. Victaulic www.victaulic.com

ROPOWER 50R

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ProPress lead-free valves Viega has introduced a new line of Zero Lead ball valves for Viega ProPress systems. Made from Viega’s unique silicon-bronze alloy, the line includes press by female, press by hose and two additional lines of press end conﬁgurations. Double stem seals ensure they remain leak free. Viega’s Smart Connect system helps plumbers quickly identify unpressed fittings during pressure testing. Available sizes range from half-inch to two inches. Viega www.viega.us

Sewer backup protection The Flood-Guard from General Pipe Cleaners helps prevent basement flooding from two, three and four-inch drains. It operates like a check valve to seal off water backup caused by overloaded sewers. Water flows normally through the drain until the sewer begins to backup. Then the Flood-Guard float rises to seal off the drain until the water recedes. It installs quickly with a screwdriver. A standpipe model is also available for handling extreme, extended pressure. General Pipe Cleaners www.drainbrain.com/specialties

Order # 1039

PACE 1041

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Check valve for VFD pumps The Model 80DICL-VFD submersible pump check valve from Flomatic Corporation is designed for use with variablefrequency drive (VFD) control submersible pumps. Standard check valves can “chatter” when a VFD goes to low flow, causing premature wear and eventual failure. These valves are designed to minimize flow losses and hydraulic shocks in the pumping system. An exclusive stainless steel guided poppet system ensures that the valve automatically adjusts noiselessly from high to very low flow rates. Flomatic Corp. www.flomatic.com

www.plumbingandhvac.ca

Larger capacity saws available

Order # EXA-170

*Special Pricing Extended from CMPX 2014 While Quantities Last! Tax and freight extra.

1.800.661.9983 www.magtool.com

May/June 2014 – Plumbing & HVAC

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Now a complete line of high efﬁciency furnaces to suit any residential application. 9200, 9500, 9600 & 9700 Series. • 9200 Series - 30,000 to 120,000 BTU’s (92.1% AFUE) • 9200 Series - Smallest cabinet available, only 14” wide • 9700 Series - Highest efﬁciency two stage gas furnace on the market

napoleonheatingand dcooling.com

Q Air Conditioning

AC coils

The changing world of

Manufacturers adopt technology developed for auto industry By Bob Bettles and Brian Guttormson

An employee assembles coils at Madok Manufacturing in Brantford, Ont. esteryear’s evaporator coil designs, when compared to those of today, were quite different. Today’s versions feature different fin spacing, some still with copper tubes but improved air and refrigerant flows. Some manufacturers are returning to aluminum tube designs both with aluminum fins covering the aluminum tubes and the new refined micro-channel evaporator coils. While these are new to our HVAC industry, the microchannel design has been used for many years in the automotive industry. It might interest you to know how coils are manufactured. If you have never toured a coil plant, the tubing is cut and pulled straight from a large coil of tubing. This tube is then cut to length and bent into a hairpin shape. The hairpin designs are specific for each coil’s slab and, in a uniform jig set up, to have a

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continuous run in and out of the pins when finished. They are then inserted in the pre-formed aluminum fin pack with blank header plates on each end stamped with the holes to fit the hair pin tubes and, with the calculated number fins per-inch, the fins are put in place. A tool is then pulled through the tubes to expand them and tighten them to the fins. The process of creating the expansion and holding of the fins in place also creates rifling within the tubes and this helps the refrigerant flow. After this, the coil needs an end cap or a finished sub frame. Manufacturers have not hand silphosed or soldered in years. They now use auto-brazing, which is like an endless train of coil slabs getting the u-bends welded into place. The coil slabs are prewashed and some are pretreated at this point with anti-corrosion coatings to prevent airborne or “formicary corrosion.” Formic acid is created as a reaction between dissimilar (CU and AL) metals when combined with the condensate passing over the surfaces of the coil when in operation. This corrosion first appeared on outdoor condenser sections in the coastal areas of the U.S. and was thought to be the result of the high salt content in the sea air. Manufacturers found that tinplating the copper tubes prior to inserting them in the aluminum fin packs slowed down the corrosion. Eventually this corrosion started showing in certain areas of the country on the evaporator coils as well. We have seen more of this corrosion with tighter construction and the off-gassing of certain building materials. On average, by the third cooling season leaks were appearing in the evaporator coils. This has resulted in a manufacturing change to aluminum evaporator coils in the original tube and plate design and also to the “new” micro-channel designs.

Micro-channel coils We have spoken in past articles about the use of micro-channel coils, but they were primarily used in the condenser coil side of the system. Due to the

Please see ‘New’ on page 29

May/June 2014 – Plumbing & HVAC

top performer

Industry-leading Genetron® Performax™ LT refrigerant is the clear leader in its field. If your bottom line is a better bottom line, no other supermarket refrigerant comes close. From keeping fresh food fresher longer to energy savings to eco-friendly performance, the list of reasons to choose Genetron ® Performax™ LT over R-438A or R-407A refrigerants goes on and on. Genetron Performax LT offers industry-leading capacity, industry-leading efficiency and low GWP values versus other popular supermarket refrigerants. This saves money in new installations and in R-22 retrofit projects. Plus, a mass flow that identically matches R-22, eliminates expensive expansion valve changes and adjustments in retrofit applications while maintaining superheat performance which protects costly compressors. So go with the gold standard. Go with Genetron Performax LT. Maximize Performance with Performax LT.

Brenntag Canada Inc. Exclusive distributor of Genetron® refrigerants in Canada Ontario & Western Canada: Tel. No. (416) 243-9615 Fax: (416) 243-9731 Quebec & Maritime Provinces: Tel. No. (514) 636-9230 Fax: (514) 636-8229 To learn more, call 800-631-8138 or visit www.genetronperformaxlt.com. © 2010 Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

Q Air Conditioning

New micro-channel designs Continued from page 27 tight complex air patterns within the coil, further development was needed to pass enough air through its surfaces without freezing. The existing 400 CFM per ton conversion market also created a challenge. Well, the time is now here, the manufacturers are there or almost there and soon they will all be talking about the improved SEER rating efﬁciencies of their new micro-channel coils, the improved longevity and, with ECM motor systems driving the future market, there is nowhere to go but up. Micro-channel coils start as a flat channeled peace of aluminum bar-like material. Within its bar-like rail is anywhere from 12 to more than 20 refrigerant passages. The coils are also forged together by the use of auto-brazers with the use of an aluminum pair of header ends and, with aluminum fin material that is webbed and stacked into place, the coils become very dense. This is why airflow becomes so important to the system. We still need the correct amount of flow to convert the liquid refrigerant to a gas state. Too much or too little air results in frost and eventually ice forms on the coil surfaces, allowing damaging liquid refrigerants to get back to the compressor.

from the coil manufacturer. Manufacturers are also looking at offering training in best welding practices for aluminum micro-channel coils. In the near future we will likely see both the condenser and the evaporator include easily repairable micro-channel coils. This will make replacing coils eventually fade away somewhat and also make a skilled service tech even more of a valued employee.

At the York plant in Wichita, Kansas, copper tubing feeds into the coil assembly area.

Installation considerations The many passages within these micro-channel coils are much more restrictive than the older tube designs. Filter driers, inlet screens and nitrogen during welding are a must. The carbon ﬂakes created within the copper tube sets, if welded without an N2 purge, will restrict the internal passages of the coils. Surface cleaning of micro-channel coils must be done with a non-alkaline cleaning solution. The use of strong cleaners such as Spray 9 or Alumi-Bright may cause permanent damage. Aluminum micro-channel coils are relatively easy to repair if needed. In most cases the use of a MAPtype gas torch is suggested along with aluminum ﬂuxes and welding wire. This is typically available as a kit

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.

www.plumbingandhvac.ca

May/June 2014 – Plumbing & HVAC

Think Inside the Box Do you really know what’s in that Lead Free box you’re buying? Can you guarantee that your Lead Free products are 100% compliant? Don’t put your business at risk by selecting the wrong supplier—put your trust in Watts.

Install with Confidence.

Learn about Watts’ Lead Free transition at WeAreLeadFree.ca For Lead Free product information visit Watts.ca

A Watts Water Technologies Company

Q Refrigeration

Ammonia refrigerants being eyed for new applications By Greg Scrivener

or many technicians that work with ammonia, there can be no other refrigerant. For most others, they can count on one hand the number of times they have worked with it. For the last number of decades, ammonia refrigerant has been used almost exclusively in industrial applications and most commercial technicians have received little to no training and experience with it. This divide can make for interesting conversation in the supply house and in training situations, but it is a barrier for the adoption of ammonia refrigerant in non-industrial applications. As the product offerings grow, look for a signiﬁcant blurring of the line between commercial and industrial ammonia refrigeration. Ammonia (R-717) is a naturally occurring substance made with the elements nitrogen and hydrogen; it has no ozone depleting potential or global warming potential. It is used in many industries but the majority of ammonia produced is used for fertilizer in agriculture to replace nitrogen in the soil. In fact, the refrigeration industry accounts for less than two percent of the ammonia produced.

The main focus of ammonia technology going forward will likely be limited and low charge systems. The beneﬁts As a refrigerant, ammonia has many ideal properties: It has a boiling point of -33.3°C at atmospheric pressure, it has a very high latent heat capacity (over six times higher than R134a at 4°C), it is inexpensive and readily available and it has “built-in” leak detection. The higher latent heat capacity leads to what is the most interesting aspect of ammonia and most certainly the area for future growth: it has a very low refrigerant charge per ton of refrigeration when compared to HFC refrigerants. Typical ammonia chiller systems are 0.75 lb. per ton and can be as low as 0.2 lb. per ton. A 1000-ton

www.plumbingandhvac.ca

This ammonia heat pump is part of a district heating system that harvests heat from the ground for an indoor arena, outdoor arena and skating trails in Victoria. (Photo courtesy of Accent Refrigeration) chiller could have as little as 200 lbs. of ammonia. Obviously field built and air coil applications will have higher refrigerant charges, but the point remains as, even in these situations, less ammonia will be required compared to an equivalent system using HFCs. Consequently, the piping installation on very large projects is often less expensive with ammonia because of the decreased pipe sizes and reduced ﬂow requirements. The equipment is also physically smaller.

temperatures and usually requires some form of cooling using oil injection in screw compressors or water jackets on reciprocating compressors. Historically, oil has also been a concern with ammonia refrigerant. Although some new oils provide an exception, most oil is not miscible with ammonia and a signiﬁcant amount of operator time can be required to drain oil from chillers and vessels and add to compressors.

Where is the technology going? The drawbacks As with every refrigerant, there is no perfect fluid. Ammonia is toxic at moderate doses and is a serious throat and eye irritant at levels way below the toxicity amount. It is classified as a B2L refrigerant under the ASHRAE 34 classification system, which means it is toxic and also mildly flammable. It is fairly difficult to get ammonia to ignite in real world situations, but there have been accidents in which it has. Ammonia also produces relatively high discharge

As was eluded to previously, the main focus of ammonia technology going forward will likely be limited and low charge systems. In Canada, unless your local jurisdiction has restrictions in addition to the CSA B52 Mechanical Refrigeration Code, it is allowable to have small direct ammonia systems in commercial or industrial occupancy classiﬁcations providing they are not used for comfort cooling.

Please see ‘Emerging’ on page 33

May/June 2014 – Plumbing & HVAC

Q Refrigeration

Emerging opportunities

A packaged low-charge ammonia chiller provides chilled glycol for a refrigerated facility. (Photo courtesy of Star Refrigeration)

Continued from page 31 What does this mean? We don’t have enough room here to go through the entire method used in the CSA B52 code to determine the rules for allowable refrigerant quantities, but there are a number of criteria that every refrigerant has to meet. All of these rules work together and there are a myriad of restrictions, so just because one rule does not restrict a refrigerant or place conditions on its use, another rule could. There is a limit to the amount of refrigerant you are allowed to have in any occupied space based on the volume of that space. For ammonia the maximum allowable refrigerant charge is 0.014lb/1000ft.3 – i.e., a 100 ft. x 100 ft. x 20 ft. warehouse would be allowed to have a system containing 2.8 pounds. Recalling that we could have a chiller with a charge as low as 0.2 lb./ton, it is technically possible to have a 14-ton ammonia system sitting in a warehouse of this size. Depending on the occupancy of the space (commercial, industrial, institutional… etc), there are additional restrictions based on the type of system you have based on its leak probability. Direct systems (usually where a refrigerant containing part is in the occupied space) and indirect systems have different requirements. For ammonia, there is a cap of 22 lbs. allowed in direct systems. On larger systems or in other cases where it is not possible to minimize the refrigerant charge, there are rules and regulations for constructing machine rooms with ventilation around the refrigerant containing parts.

Opportunities with ammonia This is quite obviously a very quick summary and perhaps these code requirements should be a topic in a

www.plumbingandhvac.ca

future issue. Suffice it to say, however, that while there are a number of restrictions in place with ammonia, there are also opportunities. If an indirect chiller is used and the system is placed in a machine room or outside, there are very few restrictions on refrigerant charge, but there could be additional machine room construction and secondary fluid costs. When was the last time you saw an ammonia chiller doing air conditioning? It’s almost unheard of here, but it is happening more frequently in other countries and there are usually no rules that prevent it in Canada. One prominent example of a significant ammonia comfort cooling installation is at Heathrow Airport in the U.K. The buildings at Terminal 5 use four 1875-ton ammonia chillers. A number of new critical charge systems have been employed using small compressors and plate exchangers and achieved good results as the primary refrigerant in cascade style combined with CO2. The first 100 percent “natural refrigerant” supermarket in the U.S. made use of this type of cascade system. Another application of low charge ammonia systems is in heat pumps. Because of its thermodynamic properties, ammonia can also be applied in air source and ground source heat pumps more efficiently than most fluorocarbon refrigerants.

The Right Tools

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Challenges However, there a number of barriers that prevent the adoption of ammonia as a refrigerant. Until recently, it was almost impossible to get small ammonia compressors and it remains challenging. Mayekawa has developed a small ammonia scroll compressor, but unfortunately does not currently have plans to market it in North America. As I write this, a U.K.-based company that manufacturers critical charge style packed chillers and condensing units is expanding into the U.S. These types of products are most certainly going to be a large growth area for ammonia refrigerants. Probably the most difﬁcult barrier to overcome is that of public perception. Ammonia scares the public and it scares building owners. As an industry we need to help combat that perception with safe installations, proper maintenance and transparent incident investigations. The future is a place where the environmental impact of refrigerants is minimized or eliminated; ammonia is going to be a part of the solution.

Greg Scrivener is president of Cold Dynamics, Meadow Lake, Sask. He is a journeyman refrigeration mechanic, holds RSES CMS designation in commercial refrigeration and is a mechanical engineer in training. He can be reached at greg.scrivener@colddynamics.com

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Q Heating The TurboMax tank from Thermo 2000 reverses the usual conﬁguration, in that the coil supplies DHW while the storage tank is used for space heating.

Combi systems Part IV

MULTI-LOAD

hydronics

Designing systems with multiple different heating requirements By Roy Collver

Plumbing & HVAC – May/June 2014

In the past few issues we have talked about “combi” systems – those systems that use a boiler/heat generating appliance to heat a fluid that is used to carry and transfer heat to any number of loads, in buildings of any size. That describes your basic multiload hydronic system, and they have always gain from using low temperature heat sources, to be customized with a high level of expertise. Potential and the technology has matured to the point that most loads can include DHW, space heating of different condensing boilers have a high level of reliability and an flavours (not just air handlers), and many auxiliary acceptable longevity. Generating DHW with a condensing loads (pool heating, floor warming, snow melting, etc.). boiler may require boiler water temperatures to rise above Heat generating appliances can include gas, oil, solid the condensing point. As return water temperature rises, fuel/biomass and electric boilers, heat pumps, solar flue gas condensation falls off, stopping altogether at panels, and any combination thereof. about 135°F. You can keep flue temperatures within the Their efficiency condensing range with a number and effectiveness is of wise choices. The following completely dependant on considerations (I will stop short the knowledge and skill of calling them rules) should be Even the best equipment at the forefront of any (non-P.9) of system designers to pick the correct matched selection can come to grief if the combi design supplying space components and the best heating and DHW: way to control/integrate control strategy is wrong. them. If you are an Equipment selection HVAC/R expert, you don’t Make sure the DHW heat need help in designing the exchanger has sufficient surface heating and cooling air distribution ductwork, controls area to transfer the required heat at lower temperatures. and equipment – you just need crossover skills and Whether you are using an indirect storage tank with a knowledge. The devil is in the details. Following are coil, or a heat exchanger – size matters. In the smokin’ some basic rules and considerations: hot boiler days, heat exchanger capacity was calculated based on boiler supply water of 180°F or higher – look Boiler systems for a tank/heat exchanger that will do the job with When it comes to energy efficiency, I openly display my supply water of no more that 160°F. (140°F is even bias towards condensing boilers. I have seen that you can better, but tough to do.)

www.plumbingandhvac.ca

Once you start working with DHW tank and heat exchanger sizing programs or charts, you will start to get the hang of it. Detailed study of the relationship between surface area, flow rates, and temperature difference through a heat exchanger will make you better at all aspects of hydronic system design. It can be hard to find a tank with a big enough coil in the storage capacity you need. Most tank manufacturers make their tank coils small to be able to compete on price, but many of them now have special high capacity units with bigger coils – plan ahead and ask for them, they may not be a stock item. Keep in mind that recovery time will be slower when boiler water temperatures are lower and DHW temperatures need to be higher – this is a balancing act between the cost of the equipment and the amount of fuel you burn. Do yourself a favour and talk to as many tank manufacturers as you can. There are many different conﬁgurations – tank-in-tank, coil-in-tank, dual coil-in-tank, DHW coil-in-tank – and some of them require different thinking. If you are operating the DHW call on a priority basis, recovery time becomes more important if the space cools off quickly when the heat is off. The heat transfer surfaces should be large enough to transfer the full output of the boiler if possible. Modulating boilers run into trouble when the DHW exchanger is too small. If your boiler is capable of providing 120,000 Btu/h

The traditional controls in the average home – simple but effective. of heat, but the DHW exchanger is only capable of transferring half of that – you might wait a long time while the boiler sits at 60,000 Btu/h. I have often seen the lowest ﬁring rate of a boiler being higher than the exchanger capacity – you wait even longer then, as the boiler short-cycles its life away.

Control strategies

but here are a few of the most common issues I see: Resist the urge to over-control. Many boilers today have clever control features built-in to maximize efficiency and simplify system design and control. Study the manufacturer’s literature carefully to see what functions are already “on-board”. Only add external controls if you absolutely need them. Always try and run the system at the lowest

Even the best equipment selection can come to grief if the control strategy is wrong. Whole books are written on this,

Please see ‘Choosing’ on page 37

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May/June 2014 – Plumbing & HVAC

SERVER ROOM OVERHEATING?

Protecting important data depends on maintaining a controlled environment. That’s why it is essential to install a commercial-grade server room cooling system that is consistent, efficient and reliable, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With so much on the line, it’s surprising that there are modified residential units claiming to be sufficient for server room applications. Little wonder that these units can’t take the strain placed on them by modern server rooms. Mitsubishi Electric’s P-Series precision cooling system is different. It’s a commercial grade ductless unit that is designed for commercial applications and is tooled specifically for durability and to maintain consistent, reliable server room temperature. So whether you’re expanding your server room or designing a new one from the ground up, Mitsubishi Electric P-Series can help keep your critical systems up and running 24/7. Now that’s a cool idea! 46 BUILT FOR CANADA As part of our commitment to the Canadian market, Mitsubishi Electric’s Ultra Low Ambient System is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, whether the outdoor temperature is +46°C or -40°C.

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Q Heating

Choosing equipment

Look at thermal mass to be able to handle micro-loads. Consider more than one heating appliance – one size doesn’t always fit all. I have seen many systems where the controls got so complicated, nobody could figure out how to set them up. Can you use an instantaneous or even point-of-use appliance to generate DHW? This can make good sense at times and should be considered more often. What if you only had one water temperature available? Mixing, thermal mass, look at ways to deal with that. Once you think you have it all figured out – look for those loose threads, and then pull on them to make sure the whole thing doesn’t unravel somewhere. If you make mistakes, fix them and learn from it.

Continued from page 35 water temperature possible whenever you can. Step back from the higher

The unique stainless steel “tank in tank” conﬁguration from Triangle Tube minimizes scale build-up.

www.plumbingandhvac.ca

temperature needed for DHW whenever it is satisfied. I am waiting for a smart boiler manufacturer to come up with a strategy to monitor tank temperature, and only raise the boiler temperature at the end of the DHW call as the tank heats up and heat transfer drops off. Sounds easy, but it isn’t. Think about the dynamics of the system as different heating and DHW loads turn on and off. Look at the different load needs in detail and ﬁgure out what should be happening. Things like: What water temperatures are required for each load? Can the boiler supply the desired temperatures? Can you marry some loads together so they live in harmony? How long can you make each load wait? What minimum and maximum boiler outputs are required for each load? Can the boiler match them? What will the boiler be doing? If the minimum output is too much for

There are many conﬁgurations for indirect tanks. This NTI Trin & Stor unit features dual coils and stainless steel construction. some loads, boiler short cycling and heat starvation of other loads can result. What are the other loads doing? Are we going to run out of heat somewhere?

Roy Collver is an author and consultant on hydronic heating based in Peachland, B.C. He can be reached at hoth2o@shaw.ca

May/June 2014 – Plumbing & HVAC

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Q Tools & Instruments

Product Proﬁle Efﬁcient reporting

Connected test tools The new Fluke Connect system is designed to easily transfer measurement data from test tools to smart phones, allowing technicians ﬁeld access to maintenance records along with the ability to review measurements in real time with their supervisors, engineers, customers, etc. More than 20 Fluke tools connect wirelessly with the app, including digital multimeters, infrared cameras, insulation testers, process meters, and speciﬁc voltage, current and temperature models. Technicians can use Fluke’s AutoRecord system to

wirelessly transmit measurements and infrared images to Fluke Cloud storage. Fluke www.ﬂukecanada.ca

Precise Control Ridgid’s CS6Pak recording monitor and Compact2 camera make it easy to provide professional reports for customers. The new Ridgid SeeSnake CS6Pak Digital Recording Monitor, combined with the Compact2 Camera Reel, is designed to allow contractors to generate high-quality multimedia reports for their customers. The Compact2, an update of the SeeSnake Compact, adds a number of new features and technologies. It is equipped with a 100foot friction-reducing push cable for small or restricted lines ranging from 1.5 to six inches. A one-inch self-leveling camera head provides high image quality and its short body length allows it to maneuver through tight turns easily. An integrated 512 Hz sonde transmits a powerful signal that can be located with the company’s SeekTech receiver. The CS6Pak recording monitor provides the ability to quickly capture photos and video clips directly to a USB drive. Features include onetouch recording for the efﬁcient documentation of inspection jobs and a daylight viewable display and water-resistant keypad. Using software, reports can be edited, archived and delivered by print, DVD or email. The on-screen keyboard allows custom job information and text notes to be included and an integrated microphone and speaker allows audio voiceover. A factory-installed docking system makes it easy to mount the recording monitor on the Compact2. It can be tilted to the desired angle for easy viewing during operation. The entire inspection system can be moved in one hand. If the situation requires positioning the monitor away from the camera, a half-turn of the quickrelease knobs will separate it. The Compact2 can be used with all SeeSnake monitors. RIDGID www.ridgid.com

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May/June 2014 – Plumbing & HVAC

Q Training a much narrower focus in that it looked strictly at installing a grey water system that would use shower water for toilet and urinal ﬂushing in the university’s Montpetit Hall sports facilities. The plan included the installation of a membrane bioreactor to treat the shower water. However, at the end of the day, after a detailed analysis of the costs of the new equipment and the renovations needed to install it, the students came to the conclusion that the payback just wasn’t there, even over 20 years. However, the study did show that a grey water system would make sense in any new buildings constructed on campus. In addition to the two winners, teams from Carleton University in Ottawa, Holland College in Charlottetown and Mount Royal University in Calgary participated.

Ongoing competition The winning team from Conestoga College included, from left, Dan Marshall, Andrew Joseph, Kristina Taylor, Zeshan Anjum, Numair Khan Uppal and Santina Alagia.

Ontario students win

CIPH green design competition

new contest was designed to encourage water efﬁcient design among students at universities and colleges across the country. The Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating’s first ever Canada’s Most Water Wise School Competition challenged students to identify an action plan to decrease their school’s water footprint. Seven colleges and universities entered by submitting detailed proposals. The winners were announced on World Plumbing Day, March 11. A team of students from Conestoga College, Kitchener, Ont. won the $3,000 ﬁrst prize. Second place, and $1,000, went to the University of Ottawa.

The winning proposal The winning team from the Conestoga College Environmental Engineering Post Grad Program submitted a detailed analysis of water use at the school’s Doon Campus along with a plan to increase water efficiency by 54 percent through new faucets, urinals and toilets. A new leak detection system was proposed to quickly spot and fix leaks and their report also urged the school to create a stronger awareness of the need for water efficiency among students and staff. If implemented, the proposal would save the school 22,000 cubic meters of water or $70,000 on its water bill during the eight-month school year. The team included Santina Alagia, Zeshan Anjum, Andrew Joseph, Dan Marshall, Kristina Taylor and Numair Khan Uppal and was led by faculty advisors Dave Farish and Coby Lamarche. The submission stood out in terms of technical considerations, social impact and cost recovery of the proposed initiatives, reported CIPH. It also analyzed areas such as historical relevance and gave a detailed breakdown of costs, including demolition and reinstallation.

Inadequate payback The second place entry from University of Ottawa engineering students Katy Bosma, Patrick D’Aoust, Jean-Emmanuel D’Aoust and Stephen Jones took

Plumbing & HVAC – May/June 2014

After such a strong response to its first water conservation competition, CIPH intends to run the event again next year. “CIPH was extremely impressed with all of the submissions, in particular the attention to detail given to analyzing the technical and ﬁnancial aspects of water conservation and the creative ideas presented to help their school reduce water consumption,” said Ralph Suppa, CIPH president and general manager. “Given the positive response to this competition by students from across the country, CIPH is proud to commit to sponsoring an interdisciplinary case study competition on an annual basis.”

CIPH was extremely impressed with all of the submissions, in particular the attention to detail… To submit a case study on how their school could use and conserve water more wisely, students needed to address the following: • Capital investment required to make the site more efﬁcient • Annual water savings anticipated • Real estate impact – how much land/space would be needed to accomplish savings • Products/materials to be used • Intended social impacts • Anticipated return on investment Students were also required to submit an infographic and video along with their written submission. The winning videos and submissions can be viewed at www. ciph.com/en/waterwiseschool. The jury was comprised of a three-person panel of industry experts: • Doug Flucker, building inspector, Barrie, Ont. • Tonya Kraan, manager of the Innovation , Water Research & Innovation Network (WRAIN) • Sidney Manning, Alberta chief plumbing and gas administrator/inspector.

www.plumbingandhvac.ca

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“Thanks. I needed these...” Compromise is not acceptable in professional flue gas venting installations. System 636® Flue Gas Venting provides the most complete product offering to get the job done on-time and to the finished quality customers expect. 2" Elbows Long sweep bends conform to most appliance manufacturer specs and minimize friction loss for optimum vent air flow. • FGV 22-1/2° Long H x H • FGV 45° Long H x SP • FGV 90° Street SP x H

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Q People & Places The

People

Brad Campeau

Yvette Gillespie

Brad Campeau has been promoted to the position of sales manager, designers and showrooms, Masco Canada, Mississauga, Ont.

Colin Thate

Dobbin Sales Ltd., Toronto, has named Colin Thate and Yvette Gillespie to its British Columbia sales and technical support team, headquartered in Delta, B.C.

Mick Gallagher

Nic Gabura

R h e e m C a n a d a , Brampton, Ont., announces the retirement of Mick Gallagher after 23 years with the company. Nic Gabura has been appointed to replace Gallagher as account manager, water heaters, Ontario. ECCO Supply, Edmonton, has announced the retirement of Elaine H o d g i n s , branch manager of Edmonton Elaine North and South Hodgins Branch, after 35 years with the company. Al Firt will assume her duties. John Murphy, former HRAI chair and president of J.E. Murphy ClimateCare, has joined Ideal Heating and Cooling, Windsor, Ont., as account manager. The Canadian Oil Heat Association, Markham, Ont., has appointed Amanda MacDonald to the Amanda position of adminisMacDonald trative assistant.

www.plumbingandhvac.ca

The

Companies Aquatherm Canada, Airdrie, Alta., has opened a new Canadian distribution centre in Vaughan, Ont. to better serve the eastern market, previously served from Michigan. As well, the company has announced the appointment of Andrew Sheret Limited, with 22 locations in B.C., as a new wholesale distribution partner. Vision Parts and Accessories, Markham, Ont., is now the exclusive distributor for Grabcessories ADA compliant stainless steel grab bars. G. F. Thompson Co. Ltd., Newmarket, Ont. and Dobbin Sales Limited, Toronto, will combine their sales teams across British Columbia. Allied Engineering, North Vancouver, B.C., has named J-Tak Sales Agencies Co., Winnipeg, as its new agent for Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. Navien, Irvine, California, has dramatically increased its sales presence and training in Canada. Pro West Sales, Burnaby, B.C. covers British Columbia. Greg Virag, western territory manager/ trainer, is based in that region. The Tom Donaldson Company, Edmonton, will represent the company in northern Alberta. HydroSmart Systems Inc., Calgary, continues Navien’s sales growth in southern Alberta. Westcan Sales, Regina, covers Saskatchewan. Quadra Sales Inc., Winnipeg, will represent Navien in Manitoba and western Ontario. DeGagne Mechanical Sales, North Bay, Ont., covers northern Ontario. Air Solutions serves the residential and commercial building industry in southwestern Ontario, Greater Toronto Area and eastern Ontario. JMB Sales Agency Ltd. represents Navien in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, P.E.I., Newfoundland and Labrador. Navien has also increased live ﬁre training offerings at its corporate training academy located in Vaughan, Ontario. Distech Controls, Brossard, Que., has achieved a ranking of 79th in the Branham 300, a listing of the Top 250 Canadian information and communications technology (ICT) companies. Johnson Controls, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will acquire Air Distribution Technologies, Richardson, Texas, for $1.6 billion. The company includes brands such as Ruskin, Titus, Hart & Cooley, Krueger, PennBarry, Tuttle & Bailey and many others.

Nu-Mun Contracting of Calgary is the subject of a new video. Sioux Chief, Peculiar, Missouri, has launched a new video focused on Canadian mechanical contractor, Nu-Mun Contracting, in Calgary, Alberta. It focuses on building a new condo complex and can be seen at www. youtube.com.

Hilti Canada, Mississauga, Ont., has been recognized as one of this year’s Best Workplaces in Canada by the Great Place to Work Institute, ranking 16th on this year’s list of 50 Best Large and Multinational Workplaces in Canada.

If you only belong to one HVACR association, make it HRAI. Because HRAI is the country’s largest national trade association, targeting all three tiers of HVACR professionals: manufacturers, contractors and wholesalers.

Don’t get stuck on the sidelines. Join HRAI. Visit hrai.ca/becomeamember Scan the QR Code to watch video

May/June 2014 – Plumbing & HVAC

Q Shop Management

Staying in the game How to remain competitive when other contractors undercut your prices By Ron Coleman I received a phone call from a contractor recently saying that he was getting priced out of the furnace replacement market. He sells one unit for $5,400 installed and another for $4,812. He is closing about

33 percent of his quotes. Many of the quotes he is losing are to lower priced units that are selling for around $4,200. What are his choices?

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He could lower his selling prices and do more volume to make the same amount of money, if he is lucky. Alternatively, he could raise his prices and do less work to make the same amount of money, if he is lucky. Perhaps he could lower his costs, and thus his selling price, but maintain his margins and increase his closure rate to make more money.

Time for a change The one thing he can’t do is to continue doing what he is doing because it isn’t working. He can’t get enough gross profit (marginal contribution) to cover his overhead and make a profit. He is loyal to one furnace supplier. It is a quality brand, but they don’t carry an “entry level” furnace. His furnace and other material costs represent 44 percent of his selling price. If he were to reduce his lowest selling price of $4,812 to $4,200, he would need a very significant increase in sales to make enough money to stay in business. He has to reduce his cost component for materials and the furnace. His labour cost is 12 percent of sales, so I can’t see much opportunity for improving that. The only option that I can see is for him to source a cheaper unit so that he can offer his customers three price points rather than two. He should first explore this with his current supplier. Maybe they can offer some suggestions as they are likely hearing the same from their other dealers. Staying with one manufacturer is preferable from a branding and overall pricing and support perspective. And you need to ensure that your supplier won’t cut you off if you take on a competing product line. For our sample contractor, his current supplier is not going to be too happy with this as he may see it as a loss of loyalty. However, I don’t believe that to be the case. I believe that with the right strategies the contractor will continue to sell his main brand to his existing customer base and that the entry level unit will increase his closure rate. He needs to get additional sales, not replace potential sales with lower selling price units. That would be counterproductive.

Setting your loyalty priorities Maintaining loyalty to your major suppliers is, I believe, a critical element of your business.

Plumbing & HVAC – May/June 2014

www.plumbingandhvac.ca

solid reputations with your customers is critical to success. And, with good product brands (loyalty to your key suppliers), this becomes easier and more enduring. Ensure your sales people have good scripts and that they listen to their customers. Successful sales people let the customer do the talking 80 percent of the time. Remember your customer has the knowledge about what they want. Until you know what they want, you can’t possibly make a good recommendation. Remember, measure your closure rates, identify why you don’t get the ones you don’t close and develop a plan of action to improve your closure rate. They are a great source of technical knowledge; promoting their brands will promote your company as many of those brands are household names while many people may not have heard of your company. By building a strong alliance with a speciﬁc brand or wholesaler, you will get better service and better pricing.

Don’t let your sales people just sell the cheaper unit because it is an easier sale. A good win/win situation for a contractor and his supplier is to work on a rebates system. The advantage to the contractor is that he is not passing on the savings to his customer and the supplier has a better chance of getting a larger portion of the contractor’s business. However, your ﬁrst loyalty has to be to your own business. Therefore you need to set a balance that will allow you to meet your market’s needs and make a proﬁt.

A clear strategy I counselled my contractor to make sure that he has a very clear list of features for each of the three price points that he is going to offer. The key to improving his closure rate will be translating the features into beneﬁts for each of his price points. He has to maintain the higher end sales. The entry-level model should only be targeted at the really price sensitive

www.plumbingandhvac.ca

prospects. Don’t let your sales people just sell the cheaper unit because it is an easier sale. Make sure they are benchmarked on selling a certain amount of the higher end products. For example, a homeowner who is renting out the home might go for a low cost, high operating cost unit as the renter will be paying the operating costs. But someone who is financing the purchase, or who wants to save money over the long haul, needs to look at both the initial cost and the operating costs. Maybe a higher priced unit will make it easier to sell a property. Thus, a home being renovated for sale or a new home will be a more suitable target for the mid or higher priced unit. Most important of all, for many customers, are the features that improve indoor air comfort (life style) and ease of operation. In order to put together a really good script for each of your options, you will need to spend time with your suppliers getting the right information to explain to the buyer the features of each option and how these features can benefit them. Make sure you get a maintenance contract as part of each sale. Warranties are often subject to regular servicing of the units. Talk to your suppliers. So, if you have a $5,400 option, a $4,812 option and a $4,200 option, make sure you have all the right information. You are going to make more gross profit (marginal contribution) on the higher end item so, where possible, that is the best one for you to sell and if your customer can afford it, then it is most likely the best option for them. “The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory.” Aldo Gucci

Building relationships Another key factor in improving your closure rate is relationship building and sales process. Where the contractor has a planned maintenance program with his customer, the chances of winning the replacement work is traditionally well over 75 percent. So, building up your planned maintenance programs and developing

Ronald Coleman is a Vancouverbased accountant, management consultant, author and educator specializing in the construction industry. He can be reached by e-mail at ronald@ronaldcoleman.ca.

administered by

May/June 2014 – Plumbing & HVAC

Q Coming Events

Events

Calendar JUNE 22-24:

Riders mingle at the ﬁnal destination during the 2012 event.

AUG. 20-23:

Industry Habitat Ride set for July A plumbing and HVAC industry motorcycle ride that has become an annual event to raise money for Habitat for Humanity in Southern Ontario will take place this year on July 12. Organized by members of the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) and the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), the ride will take motorcyclists on a scenic ride through Southern Ontario.

Rides will start at Habitat ReStore locations in Vaughan (north Toronto), Kitchener/Waterloo, Hamilton and Belleville. Hamilton riders will go through Milton and pick up additional riders there, while Belleville riders will make a stop in Peterborough for those in that area. Lunch and prize draws will take place at the ﬁnal destination, Centennial Park on beautiful Lake Simcoe in Innisﬁl, Ont.

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Plumbing & HVAC – May/June 2014

ABC 2014, CIPH Annual Business Conference, Delta Grand Okanagan Hotel, Kelowna, B.C. Call 1-800-639-2474 or visit www.ciph.com.

Registration is a $50 donation to Habitat for those that pre-register and $75 at the gate, per bike. There is no extra charge for passengers. Ride sponsors, including Plumbing & HVAC Magazine, Grundfos Canada, Emco Corp. and Taco Canada, will cover all expenses for the ride, including lunch and T-shirts for participants. Riders are encouraged to solicit donations from family and friends, with special prizes to the largest fundraisers. The last event drew 65 riders and raised almost $18,000. For more information, to see route maps and to register, or to support those taking part, please visit www. rideforhabitat.com.

HRAI Annual Meeting, Montreal. Call 1-800-267-2231 or visit www.hrai.ca.

SEPT. 24-27: Mechanical Contractor’s Association of Canada 73rd National Conference, Delta St. John’s Hotel, St. John’s, Nﬂd. Call (613) 232-0492 or visit www.mcac.ca.

NOV. 5-6: CIPHEX West Trade Show and Conference, BMO Centre, Stampede Park, Calgary. Contact Elizabeth McCullough at 1-800-639-2474 or visit www.ciphexwest.ca.

INDEX to

ADVERTISERS

Allied Air*................................. 41 Bardon Supply* ......................... 8 Bibby Ste. Croix ........................ 47 Bosch Thermotechnology .......... 24 Bradford White ......................... 35 Brant Radiant ............................ 13 Canadian Water Quality+.......... 44 Cash Acme ............................... 10 CIPHEX West+ ............................ 8 Delta Faucet.............................. 14 Fantech....................................... 7 Fieldpiece.................................. 33 General Pipe Cleaners ............... 18 Habitat for Humanity ................ 46 HRAI ......................................... 43 Hilmor ...................................... 32 Honeywell/Genetron Div. ......... 28 IBC Boilers .................................. 4 IPEX ................................ 6, 22, 42 Leak Freeze ............................... 23 Liberty Pumps ........................... 15

MAG Tool ................................. 25 Mitsubishi Electric ............... 16, 36 Mobilio ....................................... 5 Napoleon .................................. 26 Navien ...................................... 11 P&HVAC ................................. 41+ RaptorCutting Tools .................. 12 Refrigeration Mgt. Canada........ 45 RIDGID...................................... 48 Saniﬂo ...................................... 20 Taco ........................................... 2 Toronto Hydro* ........................ 44 Unico ........................................ 29 Victaulic .................................... 39 Watco Mfg. ................................ 9 Watts Industries ........................ 30 Woodford Mfg. ........................ 38 Zoeller ...................................... 37 Zurn.......................................... 19 *Ontario only + Outside Ontario only

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