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“ Flexi-Rooter’s ClogChopper rips open a hole for the chain knocker to work. It’s a great product.”
Flexi-Rooter ®
Flexi-Rooter
® featuring ClogChopper ® Cutters
Flexi-Rooter uses ClogChopper six-bladed cutters along with carbide-tipped chain cutters to break through the toughest clogs, scale and roots. The cutters then grind up the stubborn stoppages and scour the pipe walls clean.
The rotating shaft is 10 times faster than traditional shafts, yet easy to handle. It’s extremely exible for clearing 2" lines, yet strong enough to cut roots in 4" lines up to 75 feet long. Plus, the foot pedal leaves both hands free to guide it into the drain.
To learn more, visit www.drainbrain.com/Flexi-Rooter, or call the Drain Brains ® at 800-245-6200.
40READER PROFILE
Finding a niche in the HVAC market
Andy Jourdain happily found his true calling
Kerry Turner
56 ROAD WARRIOR BRANDON PACHECO: Troubleshooter
Carolyn Cooper
68 JOBSITE JARGON
Test your knowledge of hydronic terminology for a chance to win
78PLUMBING
The art of sink selection
How to choose the most appropriate bathroom sink for the space and use
Parniian Frozan
22 PLUMBING
The glass pipe project
Fred Bretzke
Lab demonstrates the use of vents and traps in a plumbing drainage system.
26 HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC
Selling the benefits of new technology
Gord Cooke
As campaigns get the phones to ring, consider some modest adjustments to your sales process to help your customers avoid the “it’s too complicated, I’ll do it next time” cop-out.
54 HYDRONICS
Trends: Influences, disruptions and the inevitable Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr
While it can be a good move to jump in early with new technology, some will be a flash in the pan, becoming a liability in the future.
70 REFRIGERATION
How to diagnose reciprocating compressor problems and failures − Part II
Phil Boudreau
More on how to evaluate the evidence inside the compressor, an important step to finding the ultimate cause for the issue.
82 MARKETING
Social media in 2023: The Dos and Don’ts
Doug MacMillan
As long as you’re providing value, feeding engagement, and being mindful, your social media game will remain strong, and so will your revenue.
18 BRANCHES AND FOUR LUXURY RETAIL SHOWROOMS
FLEXIBLE DELIVERY OPTIONS! JOBSITE DROPOFF CURBSIDE PICKUP AND MORE
SKILLED HEATING DEPARTMENT
PROVIDING TECHNICAL AND DESIGN SERVICES
FRIENDLY AND EXPERIENCED STAFF
EXPERT COMMERCIAL QUOTATIONS TEAM, START-FINISH PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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July/August 2023 Issue
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The bigger picture
The array of plans, programs and policies aimed at electrification is dizzying in Canada but what is happening elsewhere in the world? We are in the middle of a global initiative, which means there are lessons to be learned in terms of the most effective way to continue the momentum. With the power of the fossil fuel industry and a general reluctance to make the switch to electric, governments have started to play hardball.
In Europe, the German cabinet approved a bill to ban new oil and gas heating systems as of 2024 in a move to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and move the country to become climate neutral by 2045. Under the Building Energy Act, almost all newly-installed heating systems in both new and existing buildings should run on 65 per cent renewable energy.
The government is offering homeowners rebates to switch to climate-friendly heating systems. More than 40 per cent of gas consumption in Germany is for heating, with approximately half of Germany’s households using natural gas and 25 per cent using oil.
Closer to home, New York lawmakers passed the nation’s first statewide ban on fossil-fuel use in new construction in May 2023. Starting in 2026, stoves, furnaces or water heaters that burn gas and other fossil fuels will be banned from new buildings under seven storeys. Larger buildings are required to comply starting in 2029. It doesn’t stretch to retrofits, and allows some commercial and industrial exemptions. Buildings account for nearly a third of New York state’s greenhouse gas emissions. How successful the ban will be remains to be seen. In a hotly politicized environment, the law may be challenged. In April 2023, federal appeals court tossed out Berkeley, CA’s leading edge 2019 legislation to ban fossil-gas hookups in new buildings. The lawsuit was funded in part by SoCalGas, the nation’s largest gas utility.
If we look even farther afield, Australia’s Climate Council notes that renewable energy now makes up more than 35 per cent of electricity in the National Electricity Market, while gas generation dropped below five per cent in the first quarter of 2023. Even so, research by the Grattan Institute reveals that tens of thousands of new homes in Australia are still hooked up to fossil fuels yearly, putting the country at risk of breaking its legally binding climate goals. The institute has recommended that “each state and territory government should set a date for the end of gas.”
We can learn some valuable lessons from other countries but what is clear is that a dipping your toe in the water approach isn’t going to cut it. It’s time to dive right in.
AEA offers rebates for energy efficiency improvements
The Arctic Energy Alliance (AEA) in the Northwest Territories is supporting businesses, non-profit organizations and community governments with rebates and energy experts. The organization offers rebates of up to $50,000 for energy upgrades, with customers receiving either 50 per cent of the total cost of their project, or a calculation based on the amount of money and greenhouses gases that the project will save, whichever is less. Rebates are offered after the upgrades have been completed, and are available on a first-come, firstserved basis. All projects must be completed by March 10, 2024. aea.nt.ca
Brandi Ferenc recognized with Building Diversity Award
Brandi Ferenc, an HVAC mechanic at Newmarket, ON’s Southlake Regional Health Centre, has won the Nexgen Builders Award – Mentor category in the 3rd Annual Building Diversity Awards. Ferenc was recognized for her work as a mentor for women in skilled trades and HVAC apprentices at Support Ontario Youth, and as an HVAC teacher at Georgian College. The awards are presented by the Toronto Community Benefits Network communitylabour coalition made up of trade unions, trades training centres, workforce development agencies, grassroots groups and community organizations.
buildingdiversity.ca
Clean Home Heating Initiative expands in Ontario
The Clean Home Heating Initiative, a collaboration between Enbridge Gas and the Government of Ontario, has expanded to include homeowners in Ajax, Barrie, Pickering and Whitby, ON. The initiative was successfully rolled out last year in Sault Ste. Marie, St. Catharines, Peterborough, and London, ON. Under the program, homeowners in these municipalities can receive up to $4,500 towards installation of an electric heat pump to create a hybrid heating system when paired with a condensing natural gas furnace.
enbridgegas.com
SBC offers commercial air tightness testing training workshops
Sustainable Buildings Canada (SBC) is offering a free workshop in September for commercial and multifamily new construction buildings air tightness testing on behalf of Enbridge Gas. The session will include classroom training on Code and green standard requirements, testing methodologies and approaches, and how to test large multi-zone buildings, and a half day of hands-on training using blower doors to demonstrate set up and installation, calibration of multiple blower doors, communications, air sealing requirement procedures and potential mitigation strategies. sbcanada.org
Gerry Price receives Order of Manitoba
Gerry Price, chair and CEO of Winnipeg, MB-based Price Industries Ltd., is one of 12 people recognized this year with the Order of Manitoba. The award, which was scheduled to be presented during a formal investiture ceremony on July 20, 2023, honours Manitobans who have demonstrated excellence and achievement that has enriched the social, cultural or economic well-being of the province and its residents. Price and his family support charities and capital campaigns, including those for children and families, youth mentorships, education and scholarships, healthcare and other community-led initiatives. Price Industries manufactures commercial HVAC equipment and is one of Manitoba’s largest private employers.
manitobalg.ca/awards/order-of-manitoba
Free NECB training courses announced
CSA Group, Natural Resources Canada and the National Research Council of Canada have developed free online National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) training courses for contractors, designers and building managers. The courses are designed to improve the construction community's ability to effectively implement the NECB, and help boost the energy efficiency of buildings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. csagroup.org
National Backflow Prevention Day 2023
National Backflow Prevention Day is celebrated annually on August 16 to recognize backflow prevention and cross-connection control and the people who install, maintain and test backflow preventers. The day also educates the public about backflow prevention, which prevents people from consuming water with toxins, chemicals, waste and other contaminants. To celebrate the occasion Watts is hosting a new CEU webinar called New Tech in Backflow Prevention: The Future is Now on August 16 at 12 p.m. EST, and will be livestreaming on social media at 2 p.m. about smart and connected solutions, new innovations in backflow and more. Watts is also offering two Watts Works online learning promotions throughout August. Click here to find out more. watts.com
Plumbing STANDATA updates for Alberta
The Government of Alberta now has several plumbing STANDATA available on its website. As well as the National Plumbing Code of Canada, listed STANDATA includes: Drainage systems with municipal requirements; Requirements for combination heating systems; Expansion and contraction − for drainage, venting and water distribution systems (including water hammer); Single wall heat exchangers; Floor drains and trap seal replenishment; Drainage and venting requirements for floor sinks; Requirements for solar domestic hot water systems; Interceptors; Reclaimed water systems within a single property; Radon/soil gas pipe labelling; Hydronic heating systems; and Drainage of water from elevator pits. alberta.ca
