Non weather-related water damage claims are among the most frequent and most costly home insurance claims each and every year.
By Steve Goldie
24 MARKETING BUILDING TRUST
Online reviews are the new word of mouth for contractors.
By Jillian Morgan
GUEST EDITORIAL THINK AHEAD…
Hydronic system designers need to think carefully what their systems will look like 25 years, or perhaps 50 years from now.
By John Siegenthaler
CON TENTS
MH7
VENTING
DEALING WITH THE PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION: PART 1
Look closely at project’s unique venting requirements to avoid venting woes.
By Robert Waters
MH14 BOILERS
WHAT FACTORS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN SPECIFYING BOILERS
The smallest design details may have the greatest impact on a boiler’s value and performance over time, so choose wisely.
By John Miller
MH16
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
BENEFITS SIMILAR TO A NEW SYSTEM
Tips on major retrofit options available to minimize energy loss and maximize fuel savings.
By Rakesh Zala
MH18
HYDRONIC PRODUCT SHOWCASE
MH26
NEW TECHNOLOGY
EMBRACING THE INEVITABLE IoT has permeated the market and contractors have no choice but to get on board.
By Curtis Bennett
MH30
CEILING RADIANT
THE FORGOTTEN SOLUTION
Forward thinking and creative professionals use ceiling radiant as a supplement or as the primary radiant source.
By Steve Gibbs
MH 34
HEAT EMITTERS
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED PANEL RADIATORS?
This hydronic market niche is poised for growth in North America.
By John Siegenthaler
65
REFRIGERATION
HOW TO SELECT HEAT TRANSFER SURFACES
There are many factors to consider when specifying condensers and evaporators.
By Dave Demma
70
EVENT REPORT
GETTING CONNECTED
Industry meets in Charlottetown for CIPH ABC.
By Jillian Morgan
74
PLUMBING
GO WITH THE FLOW
Best practices for maintaining water movement in plumbing systems.
By David Desjardins
82 MANAGEMENT
Top 10 Tips to getting paid
By Dan Leduc
SECURES ZERO
DESIGN CERTIFICATION FOR BUILDING RETROFIT
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< UPFRONT
JUST HUMMING ALONG
WE TRULY EXPERIENCED THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER THIS YEAR AND THEY PROMPTED A BIG CHANGE IN OUR HOME, largely influenced by our dog. He needs tons of exercise and a load of grooming. Despite being a herding dog, his tolerance for exercise in the heat is next to zero. As the temperature rose this summer the walks shortened and his lethargy grew. There was no reprieve from the heat.
And so began our conversation about air conditioning. Ours is an old Toronto home with heat losses that would make you cry (in unrenovated spaces) and heat gain that is slow to manifest but impossible to dispel once it has settled in.
We have managed without AC for 17 years but this year, day after day of blistering heat proved to be our undoing.
The dog was unhappy. Summer noise was making us crazy (me in particular). Every window was open, the ceiling fans were whirring and all the loud people, cars and garden equipment in Toronto seemed to congregate in front of our house under the open windows.
Making the leap would be a win win.
Our options were limited – no ductwork and an inaccessible attic made the choice a simple one.
We got a couple of quotes and chose the contractor and set a date for installation. The contractor arrived on time to scope things out and the installation went off without a hitch on the day it was scheduled.
In hindsight, the brutal heat really dictated our life at home: what we cooked and how we cooked it; where we sat; when we had company; what chores were left for cooler days; and so on. Ask your customers how their hot house impacts their lives as they hum and hah about air conditioning.
I noticed when I walked the dog the other day there was a quiet hum in the hood. Central systems, splits, heat pumps and mini ducts were all working hard. That was when I realized we were probably one of the last holdouts in the neighbourhood.
Now, we are happy to be part of the cool crowd.
Editor
Be sure to visit hpacmag.com where you can search products, manufacturers and wholesalers through the online buyer's guide. You can also access the current issue of HPAC magazine and archived editions. Click on digital archives from the top menu to access this valuable resource. Are you a contractor with an installation or troubleshooting question? Chances are you will find the answer in a past issue of HPAC. If not, send us a note (kturner@hpacmag.com) and we will look at covering the topic in an upcoming issue. Follow us on Twitter @hpacmag; connect with us on LinkedIn.
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NEWS FEATURE
HUMBER SECURES ZERO CARBON DESIGN CERTIFICATION FOR BUILDING RETROFIT
The green overhaul of a 30-year old structure on Humber College’s North Campus has earned the institution a zero carbon design certification from the Canada Green Building Council, making it the first retrofit project to secure the designation.
Renovations to the 48,269 sq. ft., fivestorey Building NX – led by B+H Architects and Bird Construction – included a building envelope retrofit and energyefficient upgrades to the heating and cooling systems.
Toronto-based firm Morrison Hershfield is acting as the sustainability consultant and electrical, mechanical and structural engineer for the project. RDH Building Science is the energy engineer.
“One of the biggest challenges to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Canada is finding ways to heat buildings at a reasonable cost without burning fossil fuels. Humber wanted to be an example to the Canadian design and construction industries on how a deep energy retrofit can contribute positively to our country’s climate,” said Spencer Wood, Humber’s director of facilities management.
The building will use an air-source Variable Refrigerant Flow-Heat recovery system (VRF), which recovers and transfers heat between zones but exchanges heat with ambient air instead of the plant’s water loop.
To keep the temperature consistent across the building, two air-cooled VRF heat pumps were installed on the fifth floor, and fan-coil units were installed for each thermal zone. Given the north entrance tended to be colder in the winter, an electric radiant flooring system was installed as well, according to the college.
Other upgrades to the structure include a new building envelope featuring ultra-
high-performance skin and engineered transitions, designed to provide air control and mitigate thermal bridging. In addition, new windows were installed for better energy efficiency.
The project is expected to be completed this fall, just over a year after work got
underway. It’s part of Humber’s 20-year plan to reduce energy and water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
The college expects the NX building will produce 70 per cent less energy than before. www.humber.ca <>
The exterior of the building, currently under construction.
Inside Building NX.
INDUSTRY NEWS
BRITISH COLUMBIA BOLSTERS REBATES FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME, BUSINESS RENOVATIONS
British Columbia is boosting rebates offered through the CleanBC Better Buildings program — formerly EfficiencyBC — in an effort to encourage energy-efficient renovations at homes and businesses across the province.
The expansion of incentives includes an added $1,000 for those making the switch to high-efficiency electric heat pumps, bringing the total rebate to $3,000.
CleanBC, launched in December 2018, provides up to $14,000 for a home and up to $220,000 for a commercial business. Incentives are available for a variety of measures, such as replacing fossil fuel heating systems with an electric air-source heat pump, improving insulation and upgrading to a high-efficiency natural gas furnace, among others.
Commercial building owners can receive up to $20,000 to complete energy studies that identify cost-effective building improvements up to $200,000 for the improvements themselves. www.cleanbc.gov.bc.ca
CONSORTIUM ENTERS $750 MILLION CONTRACT TO BUILD NL HOSPITAL; MEMBERS INCLUDE CAHILL GROUP, JOHNSON CONTROLS
Newfoundland and Labrador has signed off on a $750 million contract with the Corner Brook Health Partnership consortium to build an acute care hospital on the west coast of the island.
The project to build the seven-storey, 600,000 square foot facility in Corner Brook took a major step forward June 28 when Premier Dwight Ball announced the partnership — consisting of Plenary Group Ltd., PCL Constructors Canada Inc., Marco Services Ltd. and Johnson Controls Canada — to design, build, finance and maintain the structure.
St. John’s, NL-based Cahill Group and Plan Group, headquartered in Toronto, will serve as the mechanicalelectrical contractors for the project. Johnson Controls will
head up facilities management.
The building, which will replace the aging Western Memorial Regional Hospital, will incorporate a geothermal system. The technology will be more costly than standard electric heating, but Plenary Group said it offers greater sustainability benefits and long-term energy savings.
Opting for geothermal will also allow for optimization of the hospital’s energy performance, allowing it to potentially achieve LEED energy points, according to Plenary Group.
Over the course of construction, the province estimates 4,000 person years of employment will be created.
Work on the hospital is expected to get underway before the fall and wrap up in 2023. www.gov.nl.ca
ASHRAE APPOINTS CANADIAN AS 2019-20 PRESIDENT
ASHRAE installed its 2019-20 president, Darryl Boyce, during its 2019 Annual Conference, held June 22-26 in Kansas City, MO.
Boyce is special advisor to the vicepresident (Finance and Administration) at Carleton University in Ottawa, ON. He succeeds outgoing president Sheila Hayter.
During his inaugural presidential address, Boyce announced the new society theme: “Building for People and Performance: Achieving Operational Excellence.”
“People must succeed within the buildings we create,” Boyce said. “ASHRAE is committed to preparing building professionals through learning opportunities, engagement and adopting better practices.”
Saskatchewan-based William Dean, regional site operations manager at the National Research Council of Canada, will serve a one-year term on the board.
More than 1,600 attendees joined ASHRAE at its conference, of which 89 were Canadian. The five-day event included both educational and entertainment opportunities, as well as awards recognizing members.
The society also announced its five-year strategic plan, which sets out its mission, vision and values from 2019 to 2024. It outlines two areas: Built Environment for the Future and the Future of ASHRAE.
Key action items included promotion of best practices for resiliency of buildings, accelerating thought leadership, streamlining the organization’s internal governance and chapter engagement.
The 2020 ASHRAE Winter Conference will be held from February 1 to 5 in Orlando, FL.
Continued on p12
Rendering of the hospital.
Darryl Boyce giving a speech at the ASHRAE conference in Kansas City.
INDUSTRY NEWS
BC CONTRACTOR WINS CALEFFI INSTAGRAM CONTEST, AWARDED GRAND PRIZE
Caleffi North America has announced the winner of its Instagram photo contest, #CaleffiMarchMania. Trevor Groeneveld, owner of Ridge Meadows Mechanical in Abbotsford, British Columbia, was presented with $1000 worth of Caleffi product.
Eight “teams” were paired up for the opening round and posted an install photo or video showing Caleffi product(s) with the #CaleffiMarchMania hashtag on their Instagram
feed. Groeneveld’s installation photos received the most likes, advancing him during each round of the competition. www.caleffi.com
‘RECORD ATTENDANCE’ FORECASTED FOR CMPX 2020 Organizers behind the Canadian Mechanical and Plumbing Exposition (CMPX) are expecting a “sold-out show and record attendance” for the 2020 event. More than 500 exhibitors in over 850 booths are expected to be present at the show, which will be held from March 25 to 27 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (North Building). Trade attendance is forecasted to top 14,000.
For the first two days, attendees can take in exhibitors and sessions from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Show hours run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the 27th. Dennis Kozina of Emerson Climate Technologies is show chairman, and Joanna Woo of Emco Ltd. isvice chair.
Jointly produced by the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI) and the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) since 1972, the CMPX is a national trade show for the mechanicals industry. www.cmpxshow.ca
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(Left to right) Pierre Huneault (Equipco, Ltd.) and the Ridge Meadows crew - Ken Groeneveld, Trevor Groeneveld and Kris Markgraf. Groeneveld is holding his grand prize: Z55 Series Z-one zone valves.
FEDS COMMIT $1.45 BILLION THROUGH CARBON TAX PROCEEDS FOR BUSINESSES MAKING ENERGY-EFFICIENT UPGRADES
The four Canadian provinces slapped with Ottawa’s carbon tax will get back a portion of that money in the form of rebates for small- and medium-sized businesses implementing energy-efficient projects.
Proceeds from the fuel charge imposed on Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario and Saskatchewan will unlock $1.45 billion over the next five years.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna unveiled details of the first stream of funding, the Climate Action Incentive Fund (CAIF) SME Project, May 30. The funds would cover up to 25 per cent of the cost of larger, energy-efficient retrofit projects, such as building retrofits, fuel switching and renewable energy production, for example.
The CAIF Rebate will cover between 25 and 50 per cent of eligible costs of specified energy-efficient appliances, such as heating and cooling equipment. The minister expects the rebate will be limited to a maximum amount of $20,000 per applicant.
Another $10 million in funding will be made available through the Low Carbon Economy Fund Partnerships program for small businesses taking on smaller projects, with funding levels ranging between $20,000 and $250,000.
Over the next year, $150 million in rebates will be made available, based on the percentage of revenue collected within each province. www.canada.ca
MONTREAL TO PHASE OUT OIL HEATING OVER NEXT DECADE, EARMARKS $4M TO REPLACE SYSTEMS IN MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS BY 2021
The City of Montreal has set out its plan to phase out oil heating over the next decade, earmarking $4 million to replace
the century-old energy source in municipal buildings by 2021.
Mayor Valérie Plante said the city will also table a by-law in the next year effectively banning oil heating systems in new buildings. The phase-out is part of Montreal’s efforts to reach carbon neutrality for municipal
Continued on p14
INDUSTRY NEWS
buildings and new construction by 2030, and for all existing buildings by 2050.
The ban and mandatory removal of heating oil will be undertaken gradually as of 2025, and until 2030, in industrial, institutional and commercial sectors, and will end with the residential sector.
According to the city, heating oil accounts for 28 per cent of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the residential sector, and 14 per cent of GHG emissions in the commercial and institutional sectors. www.ville.montreal.qc.ca
CONSORTIUM WINS $2.6 BILLION CONTRACT TO UPGRADE HEATING, COOLING PLANTS IN OTTAWA
Innovate Energy has inked a $2.6 billion contract to design, build and maintain a new district energy system in Ottawa.
The federal government tapped the consortium — comprising PCL Constructors Canada Inc., PCL Investments Canada Inc., Black & McDonald Ltd., and Engie Services Inc. — to modernize the aging infrastructure used to heat and cool more than 80 structures in the city, including the Parliament Buildings.
The current system, built between 50 and 100 years ago,
connects to central plants using more than 14 kilometres of underground piping to provide heating by steam and cooling by chilled water.
Along with design partners BBB Architects Ottawa and WSP Canada, the design-build team will convert the existing system to low-temperature hot water for heating and electric chillers for cooling.
The project also includes building and decommissioning plants and upgrading existing facilities in Ottawa and Gatineau, QC. Construction is slated to wrap up in 2025.
“This project will be one of the country’s most significant projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save operational costs, and improve safety,” said Tony Cook, construction manager at PCL Constructors Canada Inc.
Part of the federal government’s Energy Services Acquisition Program, the project also includes the use of smart building technology to “pinpoint opportunities for better energy efficiency.”
Carbon neutral fuels such as biomass and bio-oil will be tested to replace natural gas and other fossil fuels.
The federal government plans to expand the network from 80 buildings to upwards of 600 in the future. www.canada.ca
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INDUSTRY NEWS
NORTHERN QUEBEC COMMUNITY TO SWITCH FROM DIESEL TO HYDROELECTRICITY WITH CONSTRUCTION OF $125M GENERATING STATION
Partners of the Innavik project inked an agreement to build a $125 million hydroelectric generation station in one of Quebec’s northernmost, diesel-fueled communities.
Hydro-Québec, Pituvik Landholding Corporation and Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. say the 7.5-megawatt station on the Inukjuak River will bring renewable energy to residents of Inukjuak, Nunavik, an Inuit community situated on the north bank of the river.
Officials estimate the community of 480 homes could see 700,000 fewer tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the next 40 years and a considerable reduction in hydrocarbon consumption.
“Switching to hydropower will enable us to replace diesel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for our basic electricity and heating needs, while saving on fuel costs,” said Eric Atagotaaluk, president of Pituvik.
The provincial government will support a program to convert fuel-fired water and space heating systems to electricity as part
of the project. Innergex will head up construction and operation of the run-of-river generator, with site preparation slated for the fourth quarter of 2019. Construction will begin in 2020, and the station is expected to be operational by late 2022. www.innavikhydro.com
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A drawing of the hydro facility.
IS THE INTERNET OF THINGS AN HVAC THING?
BY IAN MCTEER
Ideveloped an intense interest in science and technology while watching the adventures of Captain Kirk and crew on the starship Enterprise on an old black and white television as a kid in the 1960s. Cruising through the heavens at many times the speed of light, teleporting crews to various planets, and diagnosing illness or injury using a handheld device among many other feats of fancy; yes, these could be real one day. Yet, thinking about it now, I wonder if Kirk’s refrigerator could order fresh supplies or if his advanced mobile device could, using geofencing, open his garage door, turn on some lights and activate the HVAC system. Oh, but the Internet of Things (IoT) was probably old hat for Kirk and his contemporaries.
I advanced from cleaning furnace pilot burners to setting up a local Z-wave network in what seem to be a progression comparable to the speed of light. In 2008, my job as a field service represen-
tative with the residential business of Trane Canada took a dramatic shift into the world of internet based technology. Ingersoll Rand (IR) had acquired Trane that year promising shareholders a great adventure in finding the elusive corporate synergy needed to “enhance the potential for improved growth, earnings and cash flow.” Just a few weeks later, I was introduced to the people behind IR’s pioneering entrance into IoT. A sister company called Schlage, a door hardware and security business, had developed a line of high security residential deadbolt door locks that talked to the internet using a Z-wave bridge through a portal called SchlageLink.
WHERE IS THE SYNERGY?
The newly integrated door lock and HVAC business units, under IR’s umbrella, talked about how a busy HVAC company might want to offer a customer a new deadbolt door lock and Wi-Fi camera as an add-on sale to the HVAC ticket.
It could work, right? What HVAC contractor wouldn’t want to make a few extra dollars changing out a door lock? I quickly learned that not all doors are the same, especially the hole size and lock set-back from the door’s edge. Schlage’s original deadbolt lock body required a 2 1/8 in. (54 mm) hole in the door. Being a door hole neophyte, I discovered after trying to install a lock at my house, the hole made in my door was only 1 ½ in. (38 mm) and it was chopped out with a chisel, not professionally drilled with a hole saw (as shown in Figure 1).
Figure1
How does one enlarge such an opening to the required size? I discovered that I could utilize a widely available jig made for undrilled doors to help in enlarging the existing hole out to the 2 1/8” requirement. As you can see in Figure 2, the body of the new lock covered the leftover screw holes.
The so-called starter kit consisted of a deadbolt door lock, one Wi-Fi camera, a Z-wave light module and a Z-wave internet portal often called a “bridge” or “hub.” In theory, the consumer would be interested in having the ability to enter several codes into the door lock, maybe one code for the kids, another for mom and dad, and perhaps another for the babysitter.
The system could have been configured so that a child entering his or her code into the deadbolt would not only allow access but also turn on the camera pointed at the door and perhaps a nearby light. The image of the children entering the house would be recorded for the parents to review later or a real time alert may have been sent to one or both parents indicating the children’s codes had been entered.
EARLY ADOPTERS
IR’s home automation kit proved to be ahead of the curve, the term Internet of Things didn’t yet exist in the lexicon. Except for the really tech savvy HVAC diehards, very few industry people knew enough about local area networks (LAN), SSID’s, IP addresses and password protection security.
The starter kit proved to be a non-starter with HVAC contractors. Once we discovered the difficulties involved in setting up a customer’s LAN (including asking embarrassing
questions such as “What is your router password”) and the issues related to home routers, the whole exercise fell into the bin of unrequited synergy. The internet was such an innocent place then – leaving the router default password unchanged was no more unusual than leaving one’s front door unlocked back in the day.
THE INTERNET IS A DARK, MYSTERIOUS PLACE
Since my first adventures in the IoT field, a cornucopia of IoT devices has flooded the market. At one time, getting a Z-Wave hub into a customer’s home meant additional Z-Wave device sales, but that is so 2008 now.
The hubs sold at big box stores or other supply houses can deal with any radio frequency now – although integrating some of the third-party devices into any given network may not be easy. As well, Apple’s “Siri”, Google’s “Nest Hub” and Amazon’s “Echo” operate as smart hubs that link to many IoT devices.
The internet is commonly described as a global network of interconnected computers. There are so many ways the internet adds value to everyday financial and social transactions that the benefits are incalculable. However, the internet was not designed to resist iniquitous behaviour by criminals and has become something akin to a gladiatorial arena for many users. Even simple coding errors can cause massive disruptions for many. Some examples:
• In 2013, hackers stole an HVAC company’s login credentials for Target Stores building automation system and leveraged this access to upload malware onto the Point of Sale system thus gaining access to information about 40 million debit and credit cards in the U.S. Russia and Brazil.
• CBC’s TV program, Marketplace, hired benevolent hackers to force entry into a family’s DIY home automation system purchased at a big box store. The hackers successfully manipulated the door lock, lights and HVAC system from a vehicle parked in front of the house.
• WikiLeaks revealed that the CIA had developed spyware software called “Weeping Angel.” It was used to turn on the microphone in television sets manufactured by a large South Korean conglomerate. The TV’s software also contains credit card details for in-app purchases.
• Anything you or your kids say after the wake-up words like “okay Google” or “Alexa” can be overheard and recorded by Amazon and Google. Theoretically, after the command instruction has been enabled, the device should turn off. However, if Alexa hears you talking about buying a new car, expect auto industry ads to start popping up on your social media feeds. Actor James Franco quipped: “My wife asked me why I spoke so softly in the house. I said I was afraid Mark Zuckerberg was listening! She laughed. I laughed. Alexa laughed. Siri laughed.”
Figure 4
Figure 2. A beautful hole, indeed.
Figure 3. What a great installation.
• In January 2016, a smart thermostat manufacturer pushed out a buggy update that created untold numbers of no-heat situations. The company’s service agreement forbids end-users from suing for damages caused by thermostats failing to operate the furnace properly. This past winter, another manufacturer’s buggy software update caused many furnaces to overheat the building while others simply failed to call for heat.
THEY ARE WRECKING EVERYTHING!
Whether it is a state actor or a bored teenager, there seems to be a concerted effort by the dark internet underbelly of demented players to hobble an otherwise important tool at least as significant as the Industrial Revolution. IoT devices, cynically known as “malware ready” by those eager to destroy them, are particularly vulnerable. Bot networks containing Trojan horses and other malware aimed at your network may not crash your devices. Your computer or smart device may be used to attack some other device or turn your device into a storage medium for child pornography and
“There are so many ways the internet adds value to everyday financial and social transactions that the benefits are incalculable.”
such, all without your knowledge.
In 2017, malware known as “BrickerBot” attacked IoT devices between April and December. BrickerBot’s unknown author claimed to have permanently destroyed over ten million IoT devices.
Recently, a 14-year-old hacker going by the pseudonym “Light Leafon” destroyed over 2000 (and counting) IoT devices using malware he calls “Silex.” Light Leafon boasted on social media that his “project” started as a joke but, as he is having so much fun, it is now become a full-time obsession causing him to drop all his other botnet activities. Wherever wireless networks exist, there is potentially someone looking to break into it. Hackers known as “war drivers” search for Wi-Fi networks from a moving vehicle using a laptop computer or smartphone to troll a network of interest. Using a GPS device, war
drivers can record and later map the location of vulnerable wireless networks. And, wouldn’t you know it, war driving software is freely available on, you guessed it, the internet!
THERE MUST BE AN UPSIDE
The internet is an awesome tool. HVAC engineers and designers have quick access to mechanical and electrical specifications including submittals and product catalogues; service and installation departments use online Installation, Operation and Maintenance materials and, of course, have the all-important access to parts information. Technicians with smart phones can gather not only written materials about specific products but some manufacturers provide QR codes and other methods to offer video instructions to on-site personnel. Manufacturers now offer their HVAC customers to remotely monitor end user equipment from a web portal or smartphone app. Some homeowner and commercial Wi-Fi thermostats can transmit precious data to HVAC contractors saving time and money when things go wrong. In fact, a smart thermostat connected to a communicating
Continued on p20
unit control will send alerts to the service contractor often before the customer knows anything is wrong. The end-user must agree to monitoring, it is as simple as checking a box on the webpage that says something like this: “Allow my registered HVAC dealer to perform remote diagnostics for my air conditioning and/or heating system.”
Smart thermostat manufacturers may offer free lifetime access to the end-user; if the portal can support other smart devices, then the customer might incur an extra monthly fee. For example, Venstar Skyport Cloud Service works with non-aligned HVAC contractors offering a fee-based remote equipment monitoring services to residential and commercial facilities such as health
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clinics, restaurants and offices. Nexia Home Intelligence is aligned with Trane dealers, while a Carrier dealer can offer remote services through its Infinity System.
MISSING THE SIMPLICITY OF BYGONE DAYS
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Considering the nefarious side of the internet, HVAC contractors, may want to shy away from IoT. Web enabled thermostats will continue to work even if internet connection is lost for whatever reason, but, as we have seen, connected thermostats are not immune from buggy software and botnet attacks designed to destroy the device. Perhaps, as in the animal world, large herds of caribou are somewhat “immune” from predator attacks because it is typically only the weakest members who get taken: the old, the sick and the young are most vulnerable.
In truth, the predators actually perform a service for the herd by removing diseased members and preventing overpopulation. Thus, in the IoT world, the strong security/16-character password types (the herd) are the least likely to be attacked by evil hackers (the predators); then again, perhaps my analogy is a bit too simple?
+ Thermal Anemometers
+ Indoor Air Quality Monitors
When things do not work in the internet world, what is an HVAC contractor to do? Maybe the furnace is working, but when it is not talking to the internet whose fault is that? Or, a bot just trashed the thermostat and your e-mail is subsequently spammed with ten-thousand calls for service.
“Captain Kirk, time-warp back and fix our internet, please!” <>
Ian McTeer is an HVAC consultant with 35 years experience in the industry. He was most recently a field rep for Trane Canada DSO. McTeer is a refrigeration mechanic and Class 1 Gas technician.
GET SMART ABOUT LEAK DETECTION < PLUMBING
Non weather-related water damage claims are among the most frequent and most costly home insurance claims each and every year.
BY STEVE GOLDIE
It was a beautiful summer day when I got the phone call: “Steven, I hate to bother you but water is coming out of your house.”
I was sitting on a patio enjoying a craft beverage, halfway through a well-deserved long weekend away. My neighbour called me to tell me water was literally leaking out of my house, through the bricks from the inside out. As I have stated, it was a beautiful summer day, hot and sunny and we had not seen a drop of rain in days, so the source of the water leaking from my home was not likely weather related.
My planned long weekend vacation had just come to an abrupt and unwelcome end. I immediately called a trusted friend who had a key to my house to go over and shut off my main water valve at the meter. I sadly left my craft beer unfinished, packed up my stuff and set out on the two-hour drive to whatever home was left.
By the time I arrived, the insurance company had been notified and they jumped into action, immediately scheduling a contractor to be there first thing the next morning to begin the clean up and drying out. The cause of the leak was a nut on a toilet supply tube that decided to split. I estimated water had been spraying out full bore for at least a day and a half.
If you need a visual, imagine the contents of a backyard in-ground swimming pool being poured out on the upper floor
of your house, my subsequent water bill confirmed that was roughly the amount of water that leaked. My house is a side split and the leak was on the upper floor so one side of my home was completely flooded, plaster walls and ceilings were saturated, hardwood floors had buckled and split.
The outside wall cavities filled up completely and water was seeping right through the brick to the outside, which is what had alerted my neighbour. Half of my house had to be completely gutted and rebuilt, and I was displaced for months before I could finally move back in.
When it was all said and done, that failed part worth a few dollars resulted in about $70,000 of damages. I was fortunate since my homeowner’s insurance covered most of that. Had I been out of my house for a day or two more without having made provision for somebody to check in I may not have been so lucky. The lesson learned here; always read the fine print on your insurance policies.
Believe me, the irony of such an incident happening in the home of a plumber is not lost on me and I have heard all the jibes and jokes. The reality is however that water damage claims, and specifically non weather-related water damage claims, are among the most frequent and most costly home insurance claims each and every year.
As they say, s**t happens and often at the most inopportune of times. Granted, frozen pipes in winter account for a large percentage of these claims but even when everything is installed correctly and the best materials and components are used, sometimes things simply and inexplicably fail.
The supply nut that failed in my house had been in place without any sign of
trouble for over 20 years and nothing had been changed prior to the break. How is one to predict such an occurrence?
I don’t write this to make excuses for my own experience, I write it to ask the question, is there a place for whole house leak prevention systems and what might that look like?
Is there a place for whole house leak detection? Absolutely yes, and I am not the least bit biased. Seriously though, over half of all insurance property claims are related to water damage, and over half of these are the result of burst water lines or plumbing components.
Insurance companies are very much in favour of some form of leak detection and most offer policy discounts to homeowner’s who have had systems installed. One major insurance provider lists nine preapproved systems on its website. I would not be surprised to see the insurance providers eventually moving towards making leak detection systems mandatory when home insurance is purchased.
With respect to the technology being available and effective, I would have to give a resounding yes to this question also. My incident happened two years ago and in those two years there has been a veritable flood of new products entering this market.
As with just about everything these days, most of these products are Wifi capable and/or web based and they break down into two types, sensor based systems and flow based systems.
Sensor based systems rely on water sensors located primarily in high-risk locations around the home such as bathrooms, kitchens, hot water heaters, washing machines, etc. A wide variety of sensors are available, some wired, some wireless.
“...imagine the contents of a backyard in-ground swimming pool being poured out on the upper floor of your house, my subsequent water bill confirmed that was roughly the amount of water that leaked.”
Many are simply early warning systems; when water is detected they send either an e-mail notification or trigger an audible alarm alerting the homeowner of the problem. They are not connected to the shut off valve and are therefore not capable of shutting off the supply. These sensors are relatively inexpensive but in my opinion they do not do the whole job. Had I had this type of system in place two years ago, I still would have incurred some significant damage considering I was two hours away and would have had no quick and easy way to shut off my water supply.
If you opt for a sensor based system, be sure to choose one that does include controls that automatically shut off the main water supply when water is detected. There are many options of this type, many of which can be monitored through Wifi and a smart phone.
Flow based systems rely on a highly sensitive flow meter and automatic water shutoff valve. These systems are pretty much all web enabled and can be
monitored and controlled with a smartphone and downloadable app. These systems can react to atypical or unusually high water usage and can alert the homeowner.
One system leaves the decision to shut the system off in the hands of the user where another gives the user the option of automatic shut down or user enabled shut down. The system I liked best incorporates a proprietary artificial intelligence that actually learns the water usage of the home, making detection of potential leaks more accurate. It also runs continuous tests of the systems looking for pressure issues and detecting micro leaks as small as one drop per minute, alerting the user of dripping taps or toilets that run on otherwise imperceptibly. These systems can also monitor temperature, shutting the valve in case of potential pipe bursts due to freezing. Most of the sensor-based systems also offer this functionality.
Sensor-based systems by far make up the majority of what is currently avail-
able, although I would not take this to mean they are superior. In my opinion, the problem with sensor-based systems is twofold; if the sensor triggers, this means there is already a leak and some damage may already have occurred. Secondly, you cannot always predict where the water is going to originate or end up; if the sensors are not in the correct location your home could still sustain significant water damage.
For my money, the flow-based systems are the way to go. These are virtually water usage management systems that not only help anticipate and avoid costly leaks such as the one I experienced, but they also help a homeowner reduce overall water usage.
I for one will be purchasing and installing one on my home very soon, that way if I ever get so rudely interrupted again, I can simply pick up my phone, shut off my water, and finish my beer. <>
Steve Goldie learned his trade from his father while working as plumber in the family business. After 21 years in the field, he joined the wholesale side of the business in 2002. His expertise is frequently called on to troubleshoot systems and advise contractors. He can be reached at sgoldie@nextsupply.ca.
BUILDING TRUST
Online reviews are the new word of mouth for contractors. BY
JILLIAN MORGAN
For mechanical contractors building their digital presence, online reviews are unavoidable. The potential customers searching for HVAC and plumbing contractors can be quickly enticed – or thwarted – by star rankings on websites such as Google, Yelp and Facebook.
Positive or negative, online reviews can seriously impact a company’s reputation.
Matt Plouffe, account manager at Toronto-based digital marketing agency Hooplah Inc., says most consumers will read reviews before calling or visiting a company’s website.
“Reviews are becoming more valuable than even word of mouth, because it’s sort of the online word-of-mouth, when you’re seeing individuals talking about businesses and their experience with these businesses and their company,” he says.
THE RESPONSE
The visibility and permanency of negative reviews can be overwhelming. For Leslie Hartsman, the agency’s president, the key is responding effectively.
When faced with an unfavourable review, Hartsman recommends responding to the disgruntled customer and asking them to reach out to the company directly.
After resolving the issue directly, he suggests going a step further by replying to the original comment, thanking the customer.
“99 per cent of the time, the person who was irate or had a problem will respond and say, ‘Thank you for providing that information,’” Hartsman says. “It’s usually about three to four pieces of communication within that negative stream. If it’s left unheard and unanswered, it looks much worse than responding.”
Though, businesses should avoid leaving canned responses. For customers who leave detailed reviews, Plouffe says the company should put in the same effort.
“When you have people writing paragraphs or essays about their experience, actually take the time to think about your response and put the same effort into the response as they did their initial complaint or review,” he says. “These are all transparent, everyone can see these online. So, you are also presenting yourself as a business when you are responding to these reviews.”
For reviews that are false or particularly “nasty,” Plouffe says it’s possible to remove them – but it can be a tricky process.
“There’s different types of people who are going to be posting negative reviews,” Plouffe said. “Some of them will be like, ‘This place sucks.’ Short and sweet – those are the kinds of people that you’re not going to be able to sway.”
COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT
Responding to negative reviews is just one part of the equation.
Encouraging happy customers to leave positive reviews online can bolster online ratings. Even more, negative comments can be outweighed by positive reviews to build back trust.
“The key is not to concentrate on the negative,” Hartsman says. “A lot of companies only respond when it’s negative. You should respond for everything. If there’s a positive review out there, you should say, ‘Thank you very much. Looking forward to seeing you again.’”
With so many platforms available for customers to voice their concerns, it can be difficult for businesses to know where to focus their efforts.
“When it comes to your online presence, Google is going to be one of the more valuable review sites,” Plouffe says. “Reviews on [Google My Business] do help with rankings and presence online. If your Yelp review is a three and your Google review is a four, people will compare the two. But with Google, specifically, it’s also going to help with your [search engine optimization] elements within Google search.”
Though, managing reviews on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram will also give contractors an edge.
“At the end of the day, it’s an extension of your social media, it’s like community management,” Hartsman says. “If you’re a business that makes a billion dollars a year or you’re a business that makes $250,000 a year, unfortunately, these days, everyone has to go through the same steps.” <>
MODERN HYDRONICS FALL 2019
DEALING WITH THE PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION
FORWARD THINKING PROS USE CEILING RADIANT
CHOOSE WISELY: FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN SPECIFYING BOILERS
THINK AHEAD…
What will systems look like in the future?
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
IOT PERMEATES THE MARKET
HYDRONIC MARKET NICHE POISED FOR GROWTH
TIPS FOR BOILER RETROFITS
HYDRONIC PRODUCT SHOWCASE
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MH4 GUEST EDITORIAL
Think ahead…
Hydronic system designers need to think carefully what their systems will look like 25 years, or perhaps 50 years from now.
BY JOHN SIEGENTHALER
MH7 VENTING
Dealing with the products of combustion: Part 1
Look closely at a project’s unique venting requirements to avoid venting woes.
BY ROBERT WATERS
MH14 BOILERS
What factors should be considered when specifying boilers
The smallest design details may have the greatest impact on a boiler’s value and performance over time, so choose wisely.
BY JOHN MILLER
MH16 ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Benefits similar to a new system
Tips on major retrofit options available to minimize energy loss and maximize fuel savings.
Embracing the inevitable IoT has permeated the market and contractors have no choice but to get on board.
BY CURTIS BENNETT
MH30 CEILING RADIANT
The forgotten solution
Forward thinking and creative professionals use ceiling radiant as a supplement or as the primary radiant source.
BY STEVE GIBBS
MH34 HEAT EMITTERS
Have you considered panel radiators?
This hydronic market niche is poised for growth in North America.
BY JOHN SIEGENTHALER
THINK AHEAD…
Hydronic system designers need to think carefully about what their systems will look like 25 years, or perhaps 50 years from now.
BY JOHN SIEGENTHALER
Although I have worked with hydronic heating for four decades and designed systems around just about every possible heat source, I would be hard pressed to predict what might be available as hydronic heat sources 25 years from now. Fifty years from now I doubt that I will be predicting anything, and yet, hydronic heating, in some form, will hopefully still exist. If comfort, efficiency, and lasting value, rather than first cost, become established as the market “drivers” hydronics might even be the dominant method of heat delivery. Imagine that.
By the latter half of the 20th century, the North American hydronics industry got used to the fact that some hydronic heat sources could last for several decades. It was not uncommon for a well-applied cast-iron boiler to have a useful life of 30 to 40 years. These boilers usually became technologically obsolete before they were incapable of operating due to some major failure. This was just fine when fuel prices were reasonably cheap and stable, and product development occurred at a somewhat slower pace compared to today. Back then, most North Americans cared little about the “box in the basement,” provided it responded when the dial on the T-86 got turned up in the fall.
Today, some fuel costs are approaching 400 per cent of what
they were 15 years ago. Predictably, more consumers are interested in what’s happening within that box in the basement. Our industry has responded with a wide spectrum of heat sources from boilers, to heat pumps, to solar collectors. Still, you won’t find many manufacturers, who, in all candor, will tell you these contemporary heat sources are likely to last over 20 years.
In contrast, a well-designed, correctly installed, and properly maintained hydronic distribution system can last for many decades, potentially even longer than the building it is installed in.
So, based on these differences in expected life, it appears likely that most of the hydronic distribution systems currently being installed will be supplied by different heat sources over their useful life. This raises an obvious question: What can designers do today to ensure that the distribution systems they create are compatible with future heat sources?
The answer should consider the materials used in the system, how the system will be maintained, and at what conditions will the system operate?
From the standpoint of materials, most of the present-day polymer tubes, when applied at temperatures and pressures well below their maximum ratings, should last upwards of 100 years. I have even heard speculation of 200-year lifetimes for PEX. To achieve such lives, these materials should be installed so that
they are not abraded due to expansion/ contraction movement. They should also be protected from ultraviolet light, and not exposed to hydrocarbon solvents. In my opinion oxygen barrier tubing should be used on all hydronic systems.
Copper and copper alloys such as brass should not be exposed to acids such as contained in residual soldering flux, or degraded glycol antifreeze. They should also not be exposed to water with high concentrations hydrogen sulfide. Flow velocities in copper tubing should be limited to four feet per second.
All piping circuits containing soldered copper or threaded iron or steel piping should be internally cleaned with proper hydronic detergents to remove residual solder flux and cutting oils that would otherwise remain in the system, potentially causing corrosion or impaired thermal performance due to fouled heat transfer surfaces. Systems should be operated with demineralized water. When glycol-based antifreeze is used it should be tested annually to verify a pH between 7.5 and 8.0.
Magnetic particle separation should be used to gather up iron oxide and allow it to be periodically flushed from the system. This is especially important for the new generation of circulators using permanent magnet motors.
From the standpoint of design, the concept can be summarized with three words: low water temperature.
The one prediction that I am willing to make about future hydronic heat sources is that they will operate best at low water temperatures.
So, when you size up radiant panels, panel radiators, and even fin-tube baseboard, I recommend that you design all you hydronic heating systems so that they can supply design load conditions using water no warmer than 120F (about 49C). Even lower
supply water temperatures are preferred when possible and practical. This allows those distribution systems to be compatible with a wide range of contemporary hydronic heat sources.
I urge those who design hydronic systems to think carefully what your systems will look like 25 years, or perhaps 50 years from now.
Will those who install the next heat source in these systems see that you considered the long lifespan of a well-planned and easily maintained distribution system, or will they find it necessary to “shoe horn” in supplemental heat emitters?
Will the controls that operate this system still work, or will they add to the growing tonnage of electronic waste that we are already producing?
Are your present distribution system designs truly “sustainable,” or will they succumb to a “tear out and replace” by the
next generation of hydronic pros? Do what you can now to “future proof” the hydronic distributions systems you create. Those who follow will appreciate your forethought. <>
John Siegenthaler, P.E., is a mechanical engineering graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a licensed professional engineer. He has more than 35 years experience in designing modern hydronic heating systems. Siegenthaler’s latest book is Heating with Renewable Energy (see www.hydronicpros.com for more information).
• See the newest hydronic products
• Take part in a variety of seminars delivered by your favourite HPAC writers on the hottest hydronic trends
• Enjoy lunch, dinner and drinks
DEALING WITH THE PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION: PART 1
Look closely at project’s unique venting requirements to avoid venting woes.
ROBERT WATERS
Contractors who install gas-fired condensing boilers know that dealing with the products of combustion is a big challenge when installing these appliances. Flue gases exiting the appliance are laden with moisture, and liquid condensing from the combustion chamber and vent pipe is acidic and corrosive.
Dealing with this low temperature flue gas and liquid condensate must be done properly to avoid damages to the building and the appliance, costly call backs and angry customers. This is especially true when retrofitting new modern condensing appliances into old buildings, where contractors face challenging building and lot restrictions, and difficulty accessing drainage.
Part 1 of this article will look at the issues and solutions for dealing with venting of flue gas from condensing appliances. Part 2 in HPAC October will look at disposing of liquid condensate.
Condensing furnaces, water heaters and boilers have been gaining market share steadily over the last 15 years. Recent changes to the federal energy efficiency standards mean that the push to condensing products is going to get even stronger.
NRCan Amendment 15 was published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on June 3, 2019 and introduces higher minimum efficiency regulations for a wide range of HVAC products.
Condensing level regulations have been introduced for gas boilers and certain sizes and types of gas water heaters. For gas-fired boilers, all products must be condensing (>90 per cent) by 2023 for residential (<300 MBH), and 2025 for commercial (>300 MBH). Gas-fired instantaneous water heaters are also all going to condensing levels in 2020.
Approximately 75 per cent of the new residential gas boilers currently sold in Canada are already at or above this efficiency level so the issues of dealing with flue gas and condensate are not new to the industry. However, now with these new regulations in place, all installations must go with condensing
boilers and contractors will no longer have the option to install non-condensing. Many existing buildings that currently use non-condensing boilers will have to be upgraded to condensing boilers when it is time for replacement of the old unit. In some cases, this will result in very challenging retrofits.
Over the last 15 years many lessons have been learned related to dealing with the products of combustion from condensing appliances. Venting products and techniques have been introduced to provide solutions for new heating technology. Consultations with many experts in the venting field has shown me this is an area where the good, the bad and the ugly certainly applies. Currently industry veterans that have been at it for many years see many issues going on now with installations.
The most common venting materials used for condensing boilers are PVC and CPVC pipe, polypropylene pipe and stainless steel with the latter two materials both available in rigid and flexible pipes. All of these products have different temperature ratings, and long-term safety must be considered when choosing. What happens if the boiler set point temperature is turned up to the maximum, or the boiler heat exchanger scales up over time? Both of these conditions can cause the flue gas
Figure 1 flexible polypropolene venting
temperature to go higher than what would normally be expected. Will the vent material safely stand up to these conditions? Vent pipe operating above its rated temperature may become compromised over time and create unsafe situations.
All of these venting materials have pros and cons and it is usually up to the individual contractor to choose which product they prefer and which is best suited for the application. The installer must consult the appliance manufacturer’s installation manual to check what venting is approved for the specific appliance. For commercial buildings, the combustible (plastic) vent piping must meet all Part 3 requirements of the Ontario or National Building Code, especially related to Flame/Smoke Ratings and firestop requirements. Installation problems can occur with any material if the manufacturer’s installation guidelines are not followed properly.
Contractors must carefully follow all the guidelines related to making fitting connections, pipe support requirements, wall and roof penetrations and terminations, etc. The reality in some projects is that sometimes not a lot of thought is put into the choice of vent product. Whatever is the cheapest, whatever is readily available at the distributor and whatever is fastest and easiest in terms of installation are sometimes determining factors. This does not always lead to the best longterm results for the customer.
PVC vent pipe is generally the most commonly used product due to its lower cost and wide availability, however it is only rated up to 65C/149F and can only be used for certain appliances. CPVC is rated up to 90C/194F which makes it suitable for a wider range of products, but it carries a higher price tag.
PVC/CPVC pipe and fittings are very rugged Schedule 40 thickness and provide excellent beam strength, durability and resistance to puncture. PVC/CPVC
both rely on solvent welded joints which provides a very permanent and reliable connection.
Problems can occur when care is not taken with the installation, especially if the wrong solvent is used or if the solvent welding procedure is not followed. Joints cannot be taken apart once welded, and in cold weather, joints must be primed prior to gluing below 0C.
Polypropylene venting material is rated up to 110C/230F and is gaining favour with some due to its higher temperature rating, ease of use, lighter weight, versatility and fast installation time. The connection joints use a gasketed male-female connection that require the use of a locking band after the fitting has been installed. Problems can occur if the bands are not used or installed improperly. If the pipe is sloped incorrectly then it is possible for the joints to leak. One industry veteran told me he no longer uses CPVC as the gluing of joints can be messy and he likes polypropylene as it is fast and easy to work with and uses simple non-glued joints. Stainless steel venting offers the
highest temperature rating of up to 249C/480F, and also uses a gasket connection on rigid pipe. Flexible pipe for relining chimneys is available in both polypropylene and stainless steel, with stainless steel being the most popular. Care must be taken when cutting any plastic pipe to length. The pipe end must be cut as square as possible to provide the best seal with the fitting. A wheel cutter is recommended for use on CPVC rigid pipe, but these cutters do create a raised edge on the pipe end, which must be removed with a reamer.
If a blade or chop saw is used on any pipe, the pipe end must be completely de-burred inside and out, and the end may need to be bevelled on the outside. Failure to do this can create problems with a glued fitting or damage the gasket on a polypropylene fitting.
Side wall venting has become the most common method of venting condensing appliances, to the point where everyone just thinks “that’s the only way it’s done now right?” The reality is that this is the area where most venting
Continued on MH10
Figure 2 Polypropylene venting materials
Figure 3 Congested side wall venting with signs of moisture formation
problems and issues occur. Flue gas exiting at the side of the building close to the ground comes in contact with walls, windows, driveways, swirling winds, plants and sometimes people. This can create issues with large visible plumes of moist flue gas, damage to the façade, angry neighbours, dead plants, ice formations and flue gas recirculation.
The issue is exacerbated by how little space is between houses in new subdivisions, and the fact architects love open plans and make no allowances for vertical venting. The issue has become severe enough that municipalities in Alberta and BC are starting to put restrictions on side wall venting of appliances. Minimum distances have been increased and redirecting of the vent plume must be addressed.
One of the most serious side wall venting issues in relation to the appliance itself is flue gas recirculation. This is where flue gases are drawn back into the combustion air inlet pipe then re-enter the appliance. Flue gas recirculation is usually caused by problems with the location of the vent terminal. Swirling wind can whirlpool flue gas, causing it to have a tumbling effect and hang close to the ground.
It is important to recognize and avoid vent terminations that are too close together, located in building corners or with unusual wind patterns. Recirculated flue gas can be very damaging to the appliance and can eat away components such as the inlet venturi and radial fan bearings.
Recirculation often results in very poor combustion, high CO levels and unsafe conditions. Intermittent burner lockouts will often result due to this recirculation and they can be hard to diagnose. By the time the technician gets in to service the appliance, the wind may have dropped and the appliance can be running fine again.
Frost and ice formation is the other major issue with side wall venting. Ice and frost can form on the walls, windows and landscaping near the vent terminal. When the vent terminates in the space between two buildings ice and frost can form on the walls and windows of the adjacent buildings. Ice that
builds up on driveways and sidewalks creates very unsafe conditions. These ice and frost issues are often very contentious issues with neighbours.
Icing issues can be made much worse when the venting is sloped incorrectly. Venting should always be sloped continuously back towards the appliance so it can be easily drained away inside the building. When the slope is in the wrong direction, condensate will run towards the outside of the building and drip out the vent pipe. This will result in large formations of ice at the terminal, and it is not uncommon to see huge icicles forming all the way to the ground.
Although not as common, frost can also build up on first 6 in. of the inlet air pipe of the appliance. This can sometimes build up to the point of a burner lock-out.
All the venting professionals I consulted advocate for vertical venting as being the best option for almost any situation. Vertical venting may not be the cheapest or easiest solution, but it can successfully make all of the problems listed earlier disappear. When flue gas is terminated up above the roof line, flue gas is dispersed into the atmosphere well above the level of people, plants and buildings.
Two pipe and concentric pipe options are available for vertical venting. Some contractors will use a hybrid approach with the vent exhaust pipe going vertical and the inlet air pipe coming horizontally from the side of the building.
When retrofitting an older building with an existing chimney, Continued on MH12
Figure 4 Side wall venting causing ice formation on adjacent building
Figure 5 Vertical venting with rigid pipe
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flexible liners of polypropylene or stainless steel offer a reliable vertical venting solution. Flex venting can be run up existing masonry or B-vent chimneys. However according to one vent supplier, many contractors are not aware, or do not often consider this method as a venting option.
A service contractor in Toronto I spoke with says he sees too many instances where contractors don’t think about the neighbours when venting. He loves flexible chimney liners and refers to them as a “peacekeeper,” as it avoids any issues with sidewall venting and dealing with neighbours in tight retrofits.
I have heard many side wall venting horror stories involving driveways covered in ice, seven-foot long icicles, stucco and masonry walls severely damaged by water egress and freezethaw cycles, trees killed, appliances locking out and internally damaged, and neighbours almost coming to blows. After listening to these tales of venting woes, I believe that it is prudent for contractors to take a long hard look at the unique logistics of each job and inform their customers of their venting options, both horizontal and vertical. Most customers are not aware of the issues of sidewall venting, and are relying on the contractor to guide them to the best option for their building.
Heating & Cooling REIMAGINED
Dealing with the products of combustion from high efficiency equipment must be re-evaluated by everyone involved in the mechanical world. Architects and engineers must reconsider side wall venting and avoid open plans with no allowance for vertical venting.
Contractors often do not look closely enough at the project’s unique venting requirements and get caught underpricing the job. This is what leads to the quick, inexpensive venting job, and can end up leaving the building owners stuck with hefty façade or equipment repairs, angry neighbours, unsafe ice buildup, and unsightly flue gas plumes, and equipment lock-outs. We should all strive to make sure these things do not happen. <>
Robert Waters is president of Solar Water Services Inc., which provides training, education and support services to the hydronic industry. He has over 30 years experience in hydronic and solar water heating. He can be reached at solwatservices@gmail.com.
Figure 6 Vertical venting up existing chimney using flex venting
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• Proven easier to sell, easier to install with 2" PVC venting and 1/2" gas pipe capability
• Unparalleled technical support
• Endless hot water and endless advantages
WHAT FACTORS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN SPECIFYING BOILERS
The smallest design details may have the greatest impact on a boiler’s value and performance over time, so choose wisely.
BY JOHN MILLER
Whether for a single-family home, large-scale apartment complex, or commercial or industrial facility, building owners, facility managers, engineers and contractors seek boiler systems that meet specification requirements, installation ease, serviceability, reliability, lower operating costs and higher performance. Once these major parameters are met, buyers also should consider design details that may set one boiler apart from another.
INSTALLATION EASE
The installation process can significantly impact the overall cost of any new boiler system. Look for a boiler with design features that aid in simplifying the installation process, thus saving time and money.
Boilers with a “door-fit” design are suited for applications that have limited access. Not having to tear out a wall or door frame can save thousands in installation expense. Likewise, boiler room floor space is always at a premium so zero clearance boiler designs where boilers can be placed side-by-side with minimal clearance is also desired. The key here is that the boiler still remains serviceable.
Sometimes getting a fork lift at the installation site is harder than one would think. Smart packaging and mobile design features that mitigate this need should be a purchase target. Integrated unloading ramps as part of the shipping container make the unpacking process quick and easy. Couple this feature with integrated roller casters and the boiler rolls on to the site and is easily positioned into place. If the boiler install includes a concrete pad, the shipping ramp can be used to move the boiler on to the pad as well.
For efficient operation with multiple boilers consider a control system that will fluidly connect different systems to work synchronously to ensure the highest level of performance and efficiency.
Having a correctly-leveled surface is a prerequisite to proper boiler operation and performance. Boiler designs with integrated leveling legs perfectly level the area. Simply position the boiler in place and adjust the leveling legs, which are very similar to the leveling legs on a household appliance but are industrial grade to support the weight of the boiler.
There are a variety of boiler controls on the market that offer varying setup processes and functionality, ranging from simple to complex. An integrated control system with a userfriendly setup wizard with intuitive controls will simplify the installation process for contractors.
Multiple pre-set systems are another popular boiler control feature. These units feature pre-set heating systems for typical operating conditions built into the controller so installers do not have to enter specific supply or return temperatures during installation, but rather a specific application, which reduces installation costs and time while increasing reliability.
USABILITY
Simple, user-friendly controls are essential for efficient boiler operation long after setup is complete. Whether managing a single boiler or multiple boilers, contractors must understand how to leverage system features to optimize performance.
In a multiple boiler system, user controls will manage multiple units to deliver the desired heat and adapt accordingly as the environment changes. For variable primary flow and hybrid boiler system applications, specifically, it is important for user controls to offer configurability between different products and technology. If one boiler in a system goes down, the unified controls will communicate across the units and vary output to adjust for the loss.
With a straightforward interface and simple navigation, contractors should seek controls that provide at-a-glance boiler status, diagnostics, troubleshooting and integration with building automation systems. The right control system will fluidly connect different boilers to work synchronously and ensure the highest level of performance and efficiency. Similarly, when expanding a boiler system, controls that maximize energy across all boilers on a system reduces energy costs.
MAINTENANCE & SERVICEABILITY
Boilers must be well-maintained for their benefits to be fully optimized, and the design of a boiler can have a significant impact on its serviceability over time. Proper inspection and regular native maintenance are vital to ensure uninterrupted, reliable and safe boiler operation. Therefore, contractors will appreciate boilers designed to make annual servicing easier. Tasks such as cleaning heat exchangers, replacing worn out
“Boilers must be wellmaintained for their benefits to be fully optimized…”
components, adjusting air fuel mixture, adjusting combustion controls, and maintaining water PH balance will improve boiler efficiency and reduce costly failures, while extending the lifecycle of the unit. Easy access to boiler components will make it easier for contractors to complete these and other critical maintenance activities that support a high-performing unit.
Something as simple as selecting a boiler with features designed to simplify service can make the inspection and regular wash down process easier. In addition, consider a design with a serviceable condensate tray that collects condensation during combustion. A boiler designed with a replaceable condensate tray allows for a vulnerable part of the unit to be swapped out quickly and efficiently before an expensive impact to the entire heat exchanger occurs. This improves the longevity of the boiler and reduces maintenance costs considerably.
EFFICIENCY
Commercial-sized boilers are rated according to thermal efficiency, which is the measurement of output heat from the boiler that is transferred into the overall heating system. Higher efficiency boilers offer the most by reducing annual fuel consumption and capturing energy cost savings. Opting for a higher-efficiency boiler will result in significant fuel savings for customers, particularly when replacing an older system with a much lower efficiency rating – such as upgrading from 80 per cent thermal efficiency design to 95 per cent or higher.
Boilers can account for about 55 per cent of annual energy bills, and building owners with high-efficiency boiler systems often report energy cost savings up to 25 per cent or more on heating expenses. In addition, many jurisdictions offer efficiency rebates for installing high efficiency boiler systems.
With more boilers on the market offering similar functionality and performance metrics, it can be difficult to differentiate which design is the best for each application. All the particulars that impact a boiler’s installation including usability, serviceability and efficiency can set the superior unit apart from the rest of the field, showcasing a design developed specifically with contractors’ needs in mind. <>
John Miller is the commercial boiler senior product manager with Weil-McLain.
BENEFITS SIMILAR TO A NEW SYSTEM
Tips on options available to minimize energy loss and maximize fuel savings.
BY RAKESH ZALA
One-third of a facility’s energy bill stems from the boiler room, and system inefficiency just adds to high energy costs. If replacing a boiler is not an option due to budget constraints, retrofitting an old boiler is one way to bring it nearly up to par with today’s new systems.
The main cause of energy inefficiency is system heat loss. The average level of efficiency for industrial boilers is only 75 per cent to 77 per cent. The first place to look for improvements is in the control system. The following control developments produce measurable efficiency increases and fuel-cost reductions.
1
Parallel Positioning – in the control system is a process using dedicated actuators for the fuel and air valves. Burners that incorporate parallel positioning can be set with lower excess air levels. Energy savings of up to five per cent may be realized.
2
O2 trim - an oxygen sensor/transmitter in the exhaust gas continuously senses oxygen content and provides a signal to the controller that “trims” the air damper and/or fuel valve, maintaining a consistent oxygen concentration. This minimizes excess air while optimizing the air-to-fuel ratio.
3
Variable speed drives - enable a motor to operate only at the speed needed at a given moment, rather than a constant 3600 RPM as a drive runs. This speed variance results in a reduc -
Instead of replacing the two nearly 30year old boilers at First Canadian Centre in Calgary, GWL Realty Advisors chose to replace the burners with high-efficiency ones and upgrade the controls to a PLCbased system with oxygen trim and parallel positioning.
tion in electrical energy consumption. A variable speed drive can be used on any motor but is most common on pumps and combustion air motors of greater than 5 HP. These drives also produce quieter operation and reduce maintenance costs by decreasing the stress on the impeller and bearings.
4
Lead lag – sequences the operation of multiple boilers, matching system load. Boilers operate at peak efficiency, reducingcycling and decreasing maintenance and downtime.
TAKE BACK THE HEAT
Incorporating heat recovery retrofits into the boiler system will please budget scrutinizers while improving energy efficiency.
1
Economizers – transfer energy from the boiler exhaust gas to the boiler feed water in the form of “sensible heat.” Sensible heat is created by the transfer of the heat energy of one body, in this case exhaust gas, to another, cooler body – the boiler feed water. This reduces the boiler exhaust temperature while preheating the boiler feed water. Economizers typically increase energy savings by 2.5 per cent to 4 per cent.
2
Two-stage condensing economizers – combine the functions of a standard non-condensing economizer and a condensing economizer. The first section of the economizer recovers energy by preheating boiler feed water. The second section recovers energy by preheating a cool liquid stream such as make-up water. Sensible and latent energy is captured from the flue gases that leave the boiler. Energy savings of up to 10 per cent may be realized, depending on design and operating conditions.
3
High turndown burner – Increasing burner turndown rate reduces on-off cycles. Each on-off cycle is followed by purge cycles where large volumes of room air pass through boiler, resulting in heat being blown out the stack.
4
Blowdown heat recovery – boilers must remove dissolved solids from the boiler to maintain water purity. Many boiler rooms route blowdown to a flash tank that allows safe discharge of the steam by reducing (flashing) the steam pressure in an enclosed tank. Lowpressure steam is vented from the tank and condensate is discharged to the drain. In many cases, these tanks are not insulated nor do they allow recovery of the lost heat. A blowdown heat recovery system transfers the blowdown steam energy to the boiler feed water, recuperating about 90 per cent of this energy. <>
Rakesh Zala is vice president, product engineering-packaged boiler systems for Cleaver-Brooks.
We could tell you about the numerous benefits of Aquatherm polypropylene pipe. How it’s lightweight, durable, and lasts about three times longer than steel pipe and even comes with a warranty. How it will never scale or corrode. How its properly performed heat-fusion connections will never leak. How it can handle any size commercial HVAC project. How Aquatherm brought PP pipe to North America in 2005, educated the industry, and remains the PP piping leader today with unparalleled products, service, and support.
Laars Mascot FT boilers and combination boiler/ water heaters feature an advanced fire tube heat exchanger. The FT’s modulating technology automatically adjusts fuel usage to match heat demand. The boilers are available in space-saving wall hung and floor standing models. www.laars.com
Turbomax instantaneous indirect water heater from Thermo 2000 is available from 26 US gal. to 119 US gal. Features include an ASME copper heat exchanger and ASME steel tank. The flow of boiler water is from the top of the tank to the bottom and the flow of fresh domestic water inside the copper coils is from the bottom of the heater to the top. The counterflow motion is intended to increase the efficiency of heat transfer. www.thermo2000.com
Nudura Hydrofoam high density expanded polystyrene (EPS) boards are designed to maximize radiant heat insulation for residential projects by ensuring the heat is dispersed evenly throughout the entire floor area. The 4 ft. x 4 ft. (1.2 m x 1.2 m) boards are 21 2 in. (64 mm) thick and are installed with an overlapping interlock on all four sides to ensure the boards are locked in place during installation. The boards utilize a 360° multi-directional friction fit anchor system in to which radiant heat piping is stepped into place in any direction required. The boards can be cut to meet any angle or radius while providing R-10 of insulation value. www.nudura.com
Weil-McLain has introduced the Evergreen, Ultra Series 4, and GV90+ cast iron gas boiler. The condensing boiler line is available in six sizes, ranging from 70 to 300 MBH. The Ultra Series 4 boilers are also available in six sizes, featuring a heat exchanger with nanotechnology coating. The GV90+ cast iron boiler line features a corrosion resistant stainless steel condensing secondary heat exchanger designed to recoup heat energy from exhaust. www.weil-mclain.com
The Grundfos TPE3 vertical In-line pump provides a range of intelligent functionalities. TPE3 has a built-in heat energy meter as well as flow limiting functions eliminating the need for a pump throttling valve. Smart control modes allow the pump to begin learning about the system’s pressure, temperature and flow characteristics the moment it is installed, using system conditions, preloaded data and your input to gradually optimize performance. As it learns, the TPE3 continuously collects and logs performance data. www.grundfos.com
Taco Comfort Solutions’ 0018e high-efficiency, Bluetooth-enabled circulator provides real time control, diagnostics and reporting, such as installation history, power consumption, performance and runtime. Installers can select between multiple constant speed, proportional pressure, and constant pressure modes as well as activeADAPT self-adjusting proportional pressure mode. The 0018e features 18 ft. maximum head with a maximum flow of 16 GPM. It is double insulated. www.tacocomfort.com
The Arctic heat pump integrates with multiple heating sources such as: radiant floor heating/cooling, central air handlers for forced air, split fan coils for individual room heating, low temperature radiators. The outdoor unit requires an electrical connection with an outdoor rated disconnect (weather proof). The system needs a 240 VAC connection with a 20, 30, 40 Amp dedicated breaker depending on the model. A backup heating circuit in the buffer tank can be automatically controlled from the heat pump itself. It will be given the signal from the cold weather heat pump only when the heat pump cannot keep up. www.arcticheatpumps.com
The Edge controller in Aerco’s Benchmark Platinum condensing boiler simplifies startups and maintenance, and strengthens system performance. Features, including AERtrim patented O2 trim technology, dual returns and onAER Predictive maintenance, are designed to result in the lowest cost of ownership. The Edge Mobile App for iOS and Android devices enables full unit control with enhanced diagnostics and configuration capabilities. www.aerco.com
The THINK combustion management system continuously monitors the gas and air mix and adapts its output to e ciently suit requirements.
Webstone, a brand of NIBCO, has released a new magnetic boiler filter. Designed to protect system components and maintain efficiency, the 12,000 Gauss magnet captures ferrous debris from the system before it reaches the boiler. G1 union connections, with choice of Press, FIP, MIP, or SWT, join to system piping. A service tool is included and optional isolation valves are available on G1 unions. www.webstonevalves.com/mbf
Navien’s NFC series stainless steel fire tube combi-boilers is available in two sizes: NFC-175 (175,000 Btuh) and NFC-200 (199,900 Btuh). An in-house designed and manufactured heat exchanger, low profile burner, advanced controls and built-in DHW module (pump, flat plate heat exchanger, 3-way valve, mixing valve, water adjustment valve and auto water fill valve) are included. Common venting capability is up to 8 units (1 NFC and 7 NPEs) and cascading capability is up to 16 units (1 NFC and 15 NPEs). Built-in hardware allows up to 3 zone pumps to be connected without additional external controllers. www.navieninc.com/series/nfc
Blue Pipe polypropylene piping system is sized from ½ in. to 24-in. It is rust-proof, scale resistant and lighter than steel. The multi-layer faser-composite blends glass fibres with PP-R and PP-RP (RCT) to minimize the linear thermal expansion. The pipe is installed using heat fusion, there is no glue, solder or gasket on the connection. www.aquatherm.com
The EPIC fire tube boiler and fire tube combi boiler for residential applications is available in four models ranging from 80,000 to 199,999 Btuh and three combi models ranging from 110,000 to 199,999 Btuh. The boilers are designed to offer easy installation and serviceability. They feature instantaneous response time and a user-friendly interface in addition to 10:1 turndown. The EPIC boiler and boiler combi are equipped with Lochinvar’s Smart Control with an intuitive setup wizard. An air handler interlock switches from space heating to domestic hot water mode. www.aquatech.canada.com
The Viessmann Vitotrans 300 is a high-capacity domestic hot water heating unit, featuring single or multiple heat exchangers (single or dual wall). The self-contained and pre-assembled unit features flow rates of 5 to 180 GPM and is suited to commercial and institutional applications. Models with 2 or 3 integrated brazed plate heat exchanger(s), provide built-in redundancy and eliminate downtime during heat exchanger maintenance. The unit can be set up for continuous direct hot water heating or in combination with a buffer tank. www.viessmann.ca
The PIQCV from Belimo is a small pressure independent control valve. It combines a differential pressure regulator with a two-way control valve to supply a specific flow for each degree of ball opening regardless of system pressure fluctuations. PIQCV performs the function of a balancing valve and control valve.
A calibrated ultrasonic flow sensor incorporates glycol compensation technology. www.belimo.us
SensorLinx is a customizable sensor solution incorporating the WFS-0100 wi-fi flow and temperature sensor and the WPS-0100 wi-fi pressure and temperature sensor. The sensors can be used individually to track many system parameter configurations to record daily, monthly and yearly total usage in real time using the HBX Thermolinx app. In addition to BTU metering, applications include calculating flow rates, system pressure, and measuring supply and return temperature. www.hbxcontrols.com
The Armstrong Compass R is a variable speed dry-rotor circulator. Designed to replace existing fixed speed circulators, with popular flangeto-flange dimensions, Compass R can be considered a universal replacement for circulators in its capacity range. Applications include residential heating and cooling, and potable water supply. www.armstrongfluidtechnology.com
DELIVERING A TOTAL RADIANT HYDRONICS SYSTEM
Legend® delivers a total radiant hydronic system for almost every project application. Design services, innovative products, engineering support, and training/education are the pillars we use to complete a radiant heating system. Our products are designed and engineered with efficiency in mind, for system layout, installation and operation. Contractors appreciate our labor-saving features allowing them to minimize time on the job site. System designers benefit from Legends innovative and multipurpose functionality. We design and provide products for projects from single-family homes to large commercial applications, including heating and cooling for floor, wall, ceiling, snowmelt, and turf warming. We’ve got your back®
The GMP4 from Calefactio features a 15 L (4 gal.) tank suited for mid-sized residential applications. The glycol makeup package can be used for glycol heating or cooling for systems holding up to 300 L (79 gal.). Its compact rectangular design allows it to occupy less space and a wall-mount rack simplifies installation. The GMP4 is equipped with an alarm floater; users can hook up a sound alarm and be notified when liquid levels fall too low. www.calefactio.com
The I-Series Condensing Gas Boiler from Rinnai contains a proportional valve, which allows for simultaneous delivery of domestic hot water and central heating without interruption of the heating flow. Compact design (18.5 in. x 26.4 in. x 11.45 in.), PVC, CPVC, PP and SS venting, simplified parameter settings and NG with LP conversion option make for flexible installation. Features include stainless steel heat exchanger, servo-based temperature controller for DHW, and integrated condensate trap. www.rinnai.us
Designed to handle offsets, BlitzFlex from Centrotherm allows for a continuous run of the airintake system for residential heating appliances. It should be used in conjunction with InnoFlue polypropylene vents and accessories. Made from flexible polymer, BlitzFlex can be dispensed from its BlitzPack master carton as needed at the point of use, eliminating a bulky coil. A single carton provides enough air-intake conduit to complete three to five standard residential systems. www.centrotherm.us.com
The Oventrop R-Tronic wireless programmable thermostatic radiator valve controller has programmable daily and weekly settings and the temperature can be displayed in either Fahrenheit or Celsius.The wireless radiator control is based on the EnOcean standard with one thermostat controlling up to three operator heads. If contact is lost with the thermostat the operator head will keep the air temperature at 68F. www.oventrop-us.com
The MACH aluminum condensing boiler from Patterson-Kelley is now available with 10:1 turndown capability on natural gas models C750, C900, and C1050. The boilers fit through a standard 36-in. doorway or a standard elevator and the largest models (1,500,000 Btuh and larger) are equipped with wheels. They are suited to new installation and retrofit projects, requiring only 4 hookups–gas, water, electric and venting. www.harscopk.com
Heat-Sheet offers 2 ft. x 4 ft. radiant floor panels designed for slab-on-grade, retrofit and snow-melt applications. The panels are available in R8/R10/R12/R14 for slab-ongrade and under slab applications and 7/8 in. nodules protect and secure up to 5/8 in. piping. The panels have a compressive strength of 20 PSI or higher. For SIM and commercial floors, 1 1/4-in. nodules protect and secure up to 3/4-in. piping. No additional vapour barrier is required. In overlay and retrofit applications thin profiles minimize overall slab thickness. www.Heat-Sheet.com
Chemline offers Asahitec PP-RCT pipe, butt/ socket fittings, valves and Widos fusion machines for the hydronics market. PP-RCT has a strong crystalline structure for greater pressure capabilities at higher temperatures making it suitable for boiler systems. PP-RCT is corrosionfree, light weight and long lasting with naturally insulating properties. www.chemline.com
Z-one valves from Caleffi are available with 1/2-in. to 1-in. press fittings. A slotted EPDM O-ring allows fluid to leak during testing if unpressed and is designed to provide a leak proof seal when completely pressed. Low-lead brass models are available for domestic hot water applications. www.caleffi.com
THE
THE ORIGINAL INNOVATORS DELIVER THE FUTURE IN HIGH-EFFICIENCY BOILERS
An all-stainless steel fire tube heat exchanger available in three Solo sizes - 110, 155, 199, and two Combi sizes - 155 and 199.
LOWER PRICE POINT
BREAKTHROUGH MARKET-LEADING WARRANTY PROGRAM with up to 6-year part, 3- year labour and 10-year heat exchanger warranty
ENHANCED QUALITY CONTROL and built with reliability in mind
Learn more about our Three-Point Warranty Program at our website.
The Eco-King Supreme Boiler is available in two models. Combi boilers supply on demand hot water and home heating needs and the H model provides heating and hot water via an indirect tank. This made in Canada product has universal parts on all models. Unique construction simplifies servicing. The boilers have Grundfos variable speed pumps, 12L pre-charged expansion tanks and stainless steel heat exchangers. The cleaner burning gas valve is self-adjusting and interchangeable between NG & LP. Other features include simple to use controls and an LCD screen. www.eco-king.com
FAR modular manifolds for radiant panels are available in 1 in. and 1 1/4 in. sizes and are used for the distribution of heat transfer fluid to radiant panels. Thermo-electric actuators can be installed on the return manifolds to control opening/closing of the outlets by means of a thermostat. www.far.eu
Modular Hydronics Shop offers a variety of standard integration diagrams that are matched to its modular hydronic zone systems so that boilers operate at the lowest possible operating cost point. This Design Advisor is a System Layout Assistant which will guide everyone who is installing regular hydronic heating or highly customized solutions. Users select a system design to receive a customized layout diagram in just a few clicks. www.modularhydronics.com
The Buderus SSB offers cascade outputs from 800 to 8,192 MBH and can be utilized in many applications. Each boiler has two fully independent heat exchangers. Up to four boilers may be directly connected with no external piping or venting, and almost no field assembly. www.bosch-climate.us
ISORAD V2 from Isolofoam Group is a rigid expanded polystyrene insulation panel with a multidirectional tube retaining system and a 4-sided interlocking system. The panels are 48 in. x 48 in. R3 and R5 versions are primarily intended for new construction of residential, multi-units and commercial buildings when a radiant heating system’s tubing embedded in concrete is installed on upper storey floors. The panels facilitate installation of 1/2 in. or 5/8 in. tubes. www.isolofoam.com
The Baxi 60GA offers 164 MBH Input in CH Mode and 205 MBH in DHW Mode. Domestic hot water flow rates are 4.65 GPM at 77F temperature rise. Turndown modulation ratios are 7:1 in DHW mode and 5.5:1 in central heating mode. Features include the THINK combustion management system, gas adaptive control, a three speed, electronically controlled pump, an iron-chromium stainless steel burner and brazed plate heat exchanger with a pre-heating function. It measures 17.75 in. (w) x 21.5 in. (d) x 30 in.(h) and weighs 125 lbs. www.baxiboilers.com
Flexmaster’s Z-Vent double self-sealing special gas vent system with self-sealing gasket connections is designed to reduce installed cost. Singlewall and doublewall is manufactured in diameters from 3 in. to 24 in.
Vent stack/breeching is suitable for use with boilers, high efficiency furnaces. Venting is for both spa heaters and pool heaters, unit heaters, water heaters and Category I, II, III, IV heating equipment. www.flexmaster.com
Viega ProRadiant solutions are suited to industrial, commercial, and residential platforms. Systems are designed for retrofit and new construction, commercial building tempering and snow and ice melting systems with pre-insulated distribution. It includes a full line of mixing, manifolds, sensors and controls and is vertically integrated with Viega plastics and metal offerings. www.viega.us
Agilia Screed by Lafarge is a ready-mixed, pump-applied, free flowing floor screed that can be integrated into any type of floor system. The range of underlayment products in the Agilia Screed brand are designed to meet the floor leveling challenges on any type of project; new build or renovation, and residential, commercial, or institutional. The products are installed by trained and authorized floor leveling and floor topping experts. www.lafarge.ca/en/agilia-screeds
EMBRACING THE INEVITABLE
BY CURTIS BENNETT
Iliterally remember hearing that 9600 baud modem squeal for the very first time. Reerascheeeram, yes that is how you actually spell it, so do not try to look it up. It was weird –I thought why the heck is it making noise? Then as soon as something popped up on the screen I forgot all about it. Netscape was bliss. If you were an AOL person, and you know who you are, well Netscape was better, that is why AOL bought them.
It was crazy times – we heard about the internet and what it could do, where
it could take us and how it was going to be awesome. Remember the saying your father said when he wanted you to hurry up: Slower than molasses in January. That was actually our first experience with the internet. At the time you did not know just how slow it was until the world began to accelerate.
Along came DSL and the onslaught of cable, we could download songs at a blistering 10k per second. Napster, awe Napster. Of course, none of us used it because it was not legal.
Speeds did progress very rapidly as more and more people moved online,
users got e-mails, users started to understand this new technology but the catalyst it needed was still missing. There must have been a few guys from MIT (everything cool comes from MIT), who foresaw the world as we know it now. People walking and talking, connected all the time. It really was not until then, that I think, the world really started to understand the power of not only the internet, but the power of being “plugged in” at all times. This aspect of mobility, brought on by companies basically making computers that happened
Continued on MH28
THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
Demanding conditions call for reliable equipment.
Patterson-Kelley continues to transform the commercial boiler industry by offering the highest quality, most efficient, condensing products available. Designed for maximized comfort during those long cold winter days, without sacrificing savings, visit harsco.com/p-k-storm to learn how Patterson-Kelley is taking the industry by STORM.
to have phones built in, that drove us into the world of Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi is the term that is synonymous with being connected. Without Wi-Fi… I can’t even recall how it was before Wi-Fi. Most of us think Wi-Fi stands for Wireless fidelity or some term like that. It actually does not. It is literally just a trademarked term for the wireless specification of 802.11x. It is a specification that has a great deal of parts to it. Once again, thank you MIT. No reason to get into them, but just know some really smart people figured it all out for us, they wanted to make our lives easier.
Almost all cell phones come with Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is free, when you are in a building and data is not. Well most of the time it is not. There is also another discussion on 5G wireless sometime in the future, but not now. At this point I want you to look at your cell phone screen, if you had to “flip it” to see the screen, you really need to start embracing the future. Flip phones are so 1998. Seriously 1998. Anyways it is not just our phones that are now connecting. You probably have started to hear this term IoT thrown around. I say it all the time, I makes me feel smart. Come on we all have one of those industry terms that we like to throw into conversation. Mine is IoT.
IoT means internet of things. It is an amazing idea. Seriously amazing. Everything is connected to everything else. Your fridge knows when you need milk and it texts your phone. Your alarm system knows when someone unlocks the door and it lets you know, by texting your phone. I know what you are thinking right now, “but then google and Apple will know everything about us.” I actually chuckle a little when I hear people say that. The reason is it is too late. They already know everything about you. Every move you make, every step you take, they will be watching you.
So HVAC and Wi-Fi. I believe in the next few years they will be mentioned
“When each item has all the information from the other, it can make more informed decisions about what it is currently controlling.”
more and more in the same sentence. Do you remember trade shows five years ago verses trade shows now? There used to be barely any Wi-Fi devices. Now, they are everywhere.
Why now? What advantages does it give us? Is it just another way to sell us new stuff? No it is not. It is literally changing the landscape of our industry. Running LAN connections is a thing of the past. We are reaching speeds of 1Gig per second on Wi-Fi, five years ago you could barely do that on a hard line connection. With this we can do more, do it faster, manipulate more data and run algorithms to make the best products possible. Like the old saying goes “Information is power.” It rings so very true when you literally have billions of devices collecting data all the time. You don’t really believe Google bought Nest because it was a good thermostat do you? No, Google bought Nest because it collects information. Information drives our world like it or not.
It has been 15 years since I designed my first logging software for boiler controls. We thought it would change the world right away, but sometimes you have to wait for a very special inflection point, a point where many little items come together, many ideas come together, many technologies advance enough that people finally jump on the train. Wi-Fi actually did this by connecting items to each other in a very easy and reliable way.
When each item has all the information from the other, it can make more informed decisions about what it is
currently controlling. Or many items can gather multiple points of information and relay that information back to a single unit that will then analyze that’s data and make a decision. It is not that we could not do this before Wi-Fi, it is just that Wi-Fi has made it easier and when things get easier to do, more people start using it. That is human nature.
Wi-Fi is not the enemy, as far as science has researched so far, we are not going to grow horns because of it, although there has been some interesting articles come out lately. I would like to say “it’s coming so get ready,” but actually if you are not already on the train, you will be left behind.
We are already connected to the Matrix, you just need to decide which colour pill you are going to take, the red one or the blue one. <>
Curtis Bennett C.E.T is product development manager with HBX Control Systems Inc. in Calgary, AB. He formed HBX Control Systems with Tom Hermann in 2002. Its control systems are designed, engineered and manufactured in Canada to accommodate a range of hydronic heating and cooling needs commonly found in residential, commercial and industrial design applications.
SEE CURTIS AT THE MODERN HYDRONICS SUMMIT 2019. VISIT MODERNHYDRONICSSUMMIT.COM FOR DETAILS.
EVERY HOME DESERVES THE BEST KNIGHT EVER
Meeting the water heating needs of every homeowner calls for industry-leading efficiency and installation flexibility. That’s why the world’s top contractors carry the new and improved KNIGHT® Residential Boiler by Lochinvar. With 6 floor-mount and 7 wall-mount models available, the KNIGHT boiler ranges from 55,000 to 399,000 BTUs and features an energy-saving ECM variable speed pump as standard equipment—all while operating at up to 95% efficiency. That’s one more reason no one brings it all together like Lochinvar.
THE FORGOTTEN SOLUTION
Forward thinking and creative professionals use ceiling radiant as a supplement or as the primary radiant source.
BY STEVE GIBBS
In providing a comfortable living or working space, installing a radiant heat source in a ceiling is often overlooked. The promotion of warm floors has always been at the forefront of North American radiant marketing and the vast majority of customers and installers focus solely on the floor as a radiant panel. Hence the ubiquitous use of the term “in floor heat.”
A number of forward thinking and creative professionals have used ceiling radiant as a supplement or as the primary radiant source to provide the comfort desired by the customer. The reluctance to employ this application stems from some misunderstandings of heat transfer.
The thought is that the customer would experience a “hot head and cold feet.” The saying “heat rises” is not completely true. Heat is actually electromagnetic energy and one of the basic concepts of electromagnetic energy is that it always seeks equilibrium. It travels from a state of high energy to a state of low energy until equilibrium is obtained. In addition, the rate of travel is directly determined by the degree of variance between the two states.
Simply put, heat energy travels from hot to cold in any direction. The direction of travel–up, down or any direction in between–is determined by the degree of temperature variance between the two surfaces. To be clear, hot air rises and hot water rises but that is a result of the heat energy causing the medium to be less dense and therefore lighter.
A radiant panel installed in a ceiling
will generate high energy which will naturally travel to everything in the room that is cooler, including the floors, furniture, equipment, people and animals. It will eventually provide the same even, comfortable heat in the space as a floor radiant panel.
There are a number of advantages of installing ceiling radiant. Unlike floorbased radiant, there are few, if any, obstructions to heat transfer. The heat energy has a clear path to all cooler surfaces. As heat energy travels in a straight line by electromagnetic waves (similar to light), some areas, such as floors beneath a table, may take a little longer to heat up as they will be heated secondarily by other heated objects in the space.
Another advantage is that a higher supply fluid temperature can be used. Drywall can withstand 125F under continuous operation. It is possible to deliver up to 50 Btus./hr./sq. ft. to the space. In addition, due to the relatively small resistance to heat transfer associated with drywall, the panel will heat up faster, which results in a faster response time.
Ceiling radiant may also be easier and less expensive to install in retrofit applications.
WHERE DOES IT MAKE SENSE
There are a number of applications where ceiling radiant makes sense. Bedrooms make an ideal application for ceiling radiant. With a large bed and multiple dressers in the room the actual ratio of available floor space for radiant heat to square footage of the room is
quite small. In addition, bedrooms with thick padding and carpet place additional restrictions on the amount of heat transfer from a radiant floor panel.
A large great room with high ceilings and large window surfaces typically requires supplemental heat when radiant floor heat is installed. Ceiling radiant is ideal because it can provide the extra heat and generate a quick pick-up during extreme cold times.
Basement and garage retrofits are a great application for ceiling radiant. The relative ease of installation and fast response time make this a favourable application.
In commercial spaces, rooms with multiple storage cabinets or equipment have a small amount of floor space therefore ceiling radiant is a great solution. Ceiling overhead panels can also provide required spot heating.
THE DESIGN
Designing a ceiling radiant system is no different than a floor system. Whether the radiant panel will be used as the primary source or for supplemental heat the first and most crucial step in any radiant design is determining the heat load of the space. Once the heat load is determined, the flow rate and supply fluid temperature can be determined.
There are a number of advantages to using ceiling radiant.
•
• Eliminates multiple fittings
• Creates
• Avoids reduced-port alternatives
• Also available in FIP, SWT, Press and Push on select models
The flow rate can be determined using formula 1: Where:
f = Flow rate (gpm)
Q = Heat Output - Btu/hr.
C = Constant based on specific gravity of fluid, weight conversion to gallons (8.33lbs/gal.) and time conversion (60 min/hr.) (C of water - 1 x 8.33 x 60 ≈ 500)
∆T = Difference in temperature between supply and return in circuit
Figure 1 can be used to determine the supply fluid temperature.
Example
Family room with an area of 740 sq. ft. and a heat load of 16280 Btu/hr or 22 Btu/hr/sq ft.
Fluid - water
Flow rate
Supply temperature
22 Btu/hr/sq ft correlates to approximately 50F differential temperature. With an indoor design temperature of 70F the average water temperature would be 120F. With a ∆T of 10F you would add 5F to the average to get the supply temperature–125F.
Installation methods range from suspending tubing in a ceiling joist cavity to the use of pre-engineered panels. As in all radiant systems, proper insulation ensures the heat energy travels in the direction intended to provide comfort in the space. This is particularly important if the ceiling is adjacent to an unheated
attic, crawl space or the structure’s roof. Suspending the tubing between ceiling joists or attaching tubing to the sides of the ceiling joist are the least efficient methods.
The use of aluminum heat transfer plates is one of the preferred methods for installing ceiling radiant. In this method, tandem furring strips are attached to the ceiling joists with a gap for the aluminum plate groove and tubing. The aluminum plates are then attached to the furring strips and the tubing is installed in the groove of the plate between the furring strips. The drywall can then be installed over the tube and plate system.
Always pressure test the tubing to check for leaks before installing the drywall.
Another installation method uses preengineered panels. The panels are installed directly on the ceiling joists. The panels can be cut to fit different ceiling configurations and can also be cut or drilled out with a hole saw for lights, fans and sprinkler heads. The tubing is snapped into the panel or secured with straps.
Commercial pre-engineered radiant ceiling panels are commonly manufactured with extruded aluminum or other metal with copper tubing inserted into the grooves and connectors on the inlet and outlet. The panels are modular and can be assembled on site and then attached to the ceiling or suspended.
Although not a discussed in this article, the use of ceiling installations for radiant cooling presents an additional opportunity for professionals. As hot air rises it creates a greater temperature differential with the cooled radiant panel and results in a greater heat transfer rate.
Ceiling radiant is a viable solution for many applications and should be a part of every radiant professional’s “playbook.” With reduced resistance to heat transfer, high available supply temperatures and quicker response times it can make the difference in providing the comfort customers expect. <>
Steve Gibbs is a product manager, trainer and a radiant designer with Roth Industries.
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED PANEL RADIATORS?
This hydronic market niche is poised for growth in North America. BY
JOHN SIEGENTHALER
Ihave often described radiant panel heating in North America as “the tail wagging the hydronics dog.” Over the last 35 years radiant panel heating was largely responsible for leading the North American hydronics market out of the doldrums of the 1970s. Given the consumer familiarity and myriad of products available for radiant panel heating one might wonder if there is any future for other types of hydronic heat emitters. I firmly believe the answer is yes.
What follows is not an attempt to convince you to completely switch from installing radiant panels to installing panel radiators, but rather to expand awareness of the possibilities of designing with panel radiators and to compare their attributes to those of radiant panel systems.
WHAT IS A PANEL RADIATOR?
When the term “panel radiator” is mentioned to a client as a possible heat emitter option for their project, the client will often ask what it is. At present, panel radiators are not well known outside of modern hydronics trade circles in North America. This is sharp contrast to a relatively high consumer awareness of radiant floor heating and the fallback standard of fin-tube baseboard.
All panel radiators release a combination of radiant and convective heat into a room as hot water flows through them. Beyond this fundamental function is a virtually unlimited range of forms, sizes, colors, and artistic themes. Let’s start with a basic “utility grade” panel radiator, such as shown in cross section in Figure 1.
The front of this style panel radiator is called the “water plate.” It consists of two formed steel sheets welded together at the perimeter and across the face. The upper and lower portions of the water plate acts as headers. Several vertical flow channels run between these headers.
A sheet of thin folded steel is welded to the back of the water plate to create fins that enhance convective heat transfer. The water plate and fin assembly are then framed with side and top trim panels. Some panel radiators of this type have supply and return piping connections at the bottom and a preinstalled flow control valve in the upper right corner as seen in Figure 1. Water flows into the bottom left connection, up a
riser tube, through the flow control valve and then out across the water plate. After flowing downward through the water channels flow exits through the bottom right connection.
The internal volume of the water plate is very low relative to a typical cast-iron radiator of similar frontal area. For example: A 24-inch high by 48-inch wide panel radiator with a single water plate only holds about 0.7 gallons of water. The empty weight of this panel is about 75 pounds.
This low thermal mass characteristic allows for fast response, both warming up and cooling off. A panel radiator can quickly begin releasing heat to a cool space and quickly stop releasing heat should internal gains occur. This is in marked contrast to the response characteristics of many radiant floor panels, especially those with tubing embedded in concrete slabs. These slow response characteristics often rule out slabtype floor heating in situations where loads change rapidly due to variable and often unpredictable internal heat gain.
To increase heat output without changing frontal dimensions, most panel radiator manufacturers offer units that join two or sometimes three water plates together into a single assembly. Figure 2 shows a cutaway of a two water plate panel radiator. Panel radiators with two or three water plates have a higher percentage of convective heat output than do single water
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plate panels operated under the same conditions. They also project farther out from the wall as shown in Figure 3.
DO NOT CLING TO 20F
Another advantage panel radiators offer is the ability to operate at relatively low flow rates and higher temperature drops. Many panel radiator systems in Europe are designed for 20C (36F) temperature drops at design conditions, almost double the design temperature drop used in most radiant floor panel systems. Radiant floor panels need lower circuit temperature drops to reduce variations in floor surface temperature to enhance the desired “barefoot friendly” feel. Some suppliers suggest limiting design temperature drops in radiant floor panels to 10F. Although this reduces variations in floor surface temperature, it also requires larger circulators and substantially more circulator power. Designing a panel radiator system for higher temperature drop has several benefits:
• It allows most radiators to be piped with small diameter (3/8 in. to ½ in.) PEX, PERT, or PEX-AL-PEX tubing. Such tubing is easy to route throughout a building, especially in retrofit applications
• The flow rate required by the panel changes in inverse proportion to the temperature drop (e.g. doubling the temperature drop allows the flow rate to be cut in half). This allows for significantly smaller circulators, and even more importantly, significantly reduces the circulator energy required to distribute heat through the building.
• The smaller flow rates and pipe sizes also reduce heat loss from distribution piping.
OTHER BENEFITS
• Panel radiators are light. Unlike some suspended slab radiant panels, they have virtually no effect on structural loading.
• Panel radiators do not affect flooring height.
• All radiant floor panel systems must address is the thermal resistance of finish flooring materials. This is an issue when the system is first designed and remains an issue through -
out the life of that system. The wrong choices can have devastating effects on heat output and owner satisfaction. This is obviously not an issue with wall-mounted panel radiators.
• Because they are not an integral part of the building structure, panel radiator installation is easier to coordinate with other trades and less subject to damage due to negligence on the part of other trades.
• The installed cost of a properly-designed panel radiator system will be hard to match with a properly designed radiant floor heating system. This is especially true when room-byroom zoning is needed, or in retrofit applications.
DISTRIBUTION DECISIONS
Panel radiators can be used with many piping layouts including series loops, diverter tee loops, two-pipe parallel direct return and two-pipe parallel reverse return. One of the easiest and most versatile piping layouts for panel radiators is the “home run” system using PEX, PERT, or PEX-AL-PEX tubing to and from each panel radiator as shown in Figure 4. All the supply and return runs come from a manifold station – just like in a radiant panel system. The manifold station could be in the wall, or under the floor.
Homerun distribution systems provide the same water temperature to each panel and thus simplify sizing. They also allow each circuit to be balanced for proper flow. The latter can be done using valves built into the manifold station, or with integral balancing valves built into certain types of panel radiators Room-by-room comfort control is achieved using a homerun distribution system in combination with panel radiators equipped with non-electric thermostatic radiator valves. For radiators such as those shown in Figure 1, the thermostatic operator just screws onto the radiator’s flow control valve as shown in Figure 5. This operator uses the expansion and contraction of a wax or liquid-filled actuator to move the stem of the radiator valve as needed to maintain the room setpoint temperature.
Figure 2 Two water plate panel radiator
Figure 3 Panel radiators with 2 or 3 water plates project farther from the wall
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VDC. Their speed can be adjusted manually, or automatically based on the water temperature in the panel. Fan-assisted panel radiators can also be equipped with non-electric thermostatic valves allowing each radiator to operate as an independent zone.
USE AS APPROPRIATE
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Suppose you need a system that provides room-by-room comfort control, utilizes a high efficiency modulating/ condensing boiler, is simple to install and is economical to operate. Consider the layout shown in Figure 6.
This design provides room-by-room comfort control using a homerun distribution system. Each radiator is equipped with a non-electric thermostatic radiator valve. A pressure-regulated circulator automatically adjusts its speed to maintain the required differential pressure as the radiator valves modulate between open and closed. The high-mass mod/con heat source maintains the proper supply water temperature to the distribution system based on outdoor reset control. This type of heat source also eliminates the need for a separator buffer tank and a separate boiler circulator.
A very similar arrangement can be used with a hydronic heat pump as the heat source. Just use the heat pump to maintain a suitable range of water temperature in a buffer tank, and draw warm water from that tank to supply the panels.
The number of homerun circuits can be increased or decreased as needed. I like to specify manifold stations with at least one extra set of ports so that another panel can be easily added in the future.
FAN-ASSISTED RADIATORS
Several panel radiator manufacturers have expanded beyond traditional offerings, which were primarily designed to operate with boilers, into “low temperature” panels that are well suited for used with low temperature heat sources, such as hydronic heat pumps.
To boost heat output at low water temperatures, these panels incorporate a rack of small “micro-fans,” as seen in Figure 7, which draw about 1.5 watts each at full speed to enhance air flow over the convective fins. This significantly boosts convective heat transfer. The micro-fans typically operate on 12
Both radiant panels and panel radiators have their place in the hydronics universe. Both have optimal application scenarios in which the other simply is not an option. For example, using panel radiators to heat a 10,000 square foot vehicle maintenance garage does not make sense. Likewise, installing radiant floor heating in an existing building with inaccessible floor structure and expensive surface finishes is virtually out of the question.
There are also situations where it makes sense to combine the attributes of radiant floor panels and panel radiators. An example would be use of radiant floor heating in a basement slab in combination with panel radiators on the main floor. Seasoned hydronic pros recognize these situations and apply each technology to maximize performance and benefits to the customer.<>
John Siegenthaler, P.E., is a mechanical engineering graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a licensed professional engineer. He has more than 35 years experience in designing modern hydronic heating systems. Siegenthaler’s latest book is Heating with Renewable Energy (see www.hydronicpros.com for more information).
Figure 7 Fan assisted radiator
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Figure 4 Versatile piping layout
Figure 5 Flow control valve
Figure 6 Alternate layout
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HOW TO SELECT HEAT TRANSFER SURFACES
There are many factors to consider when specifying condensers and evaporators.
BY DAVE DEMMA
There are many textbook definitions for the term refrigeration, but one of the most straight forward and easy to understand definitions is as follows: “the achievement of a temperature below that of the immediate surroundings.” In this article, when the term “refrigeration” is used, it is in reference to the process whereby the temperature in the “refrigerated space” is reduced below that of the immediate surroundings, regardless of what the ultimate temperature in the refrigerated space might be. In other words, we are discussing the process, and not a specific temperature application, meaning it applies to refrigeration, air conditioning, or any temperature application utilizing the vapour compression cycle as a means of providing “a temperature below that of the immediate surroundings.”
A QUESTION OF SEMANTICS
While it is very common for the refrigeration process to simply be referred to as “cooling,” it is more accurately described as a heat transfer process. The “achievement of a temperature below that of the immediate surroundings” is accomplished when heat is transferred out of the refrigerated space, which then results in a lower (or cooler) temperature. While it is probably somewhat elementary, as the term “heat transfer” implies, the heat is only transferred from the refrigerated space, it does not disappear. It is simply moved from one place to another.
The vapour compression cycle is the perfect vehicle to facilitate this heat transfer process, with the refrigerant being the medium that either absorbs (removes heat from the refrigerated space) heat, or rejects (adds heat to a different space or medium) heat.
The vapour compression system for a given application can be quite elaborate, with elaborate controls and special components and accessories. However, each system has the same four major components, each with its own specific (and rather simplistic) function. The desired result of each system is the same; to provide saturated refrigerant at a temperature below that of the refrigerated space, facilitating the heat transfer from the higher temperature air in the space to the lower temperature refrigerant.
1
Compressor : A vapour pump, which receives low pressure vapour and compresses it into a high pressure vapour. The mechanical process of compression adds heat to the vapour, so the discharge vapour leaving the compressor always exits at a higher pressure and at a temperature above saturation (superheated).
2
Condenser : This is one of two heat transfer surfaces present in the system, and its function is to transfer heat from the refrigerant to the atmosphere (in an air cooled condenser) or a secondary heat transfer fluid (water cooled condenser). In a properlysized condenser, this will allow the vapour to be transformed from a superheated vapour, to a saturated vapour (desuperheated), then from a saturated vapour to a saturated liquid
(change of state), then from a saturated liquid to a subcooled liquid.
3
Expansion Device: Again, the end goal of the system is to provide a saturated refrigerant at a temperature lower than the refrigerated space, so that heat in the space can be transferred to it. As such, the function of the expansion device is to allow for a reduction in liquid refrigerant pressure to a pressure that corresponds to the particular refrigerant saturation temperature required for the application.
4
Evaporator: This is the other heat transfer surface present in the system, and its function is to transfer heat from the refrigerated space to the saturated refrigerant flowing through the evaporator. Since the latent heat of vaporization (amount of heat required for a liquid to undergo a change of state to a vapour) is quite high, the majority of the evaporator will have saturated liquid flowing through it to allow for efficient heat transfer. The expansion device will regulate the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator, and maintain a minimum amount of superheat at the evaporator outlet… solely to prevent liquid refrigerant from flowing back to the compressor, and the resulting compressor damage that it would cause. With it being established that refrigeration is a heat transfer process, and that there are two heat transfer surfaces present in the vapour compression cycle, how does one go about properly selecting those heat transfer surfaces (evaporator and condenser) for a specific application?
< REFRIGERATION
EVAPORATOR
Let’s discuss the evaporator first. Its capacity is based upon the following:
1. Physical size of the evaporator
2. Temperature Difference (TD) between the air entering the evaporator, and the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator.
3. Refrigerant type
4. Evaporator refrigerant saturation temperature
5. Fin spacing (number of fins/inch)
6. Altitude – The ability to transfer heat from the air in the refrigerated space to the saturated refrigerant flowing through the evaporator will in part depend on the mass of heat transfer medium (air) that is flowing through the fintube surface of the evaporator. Evaporator ratings are based on the air density (lbs/cu ft) at sea level. Air density decreases as altitude increases. With that decrease in density, the evaporator fans will still deliver the same CFM, but the “mass” of this heat transfer medium will be reduced, meaning the ability to transfer heat will be reduced. The chart in Table 1 shows the capacity de-rating based on altitude.
Figure 1 illustrates Evaporator TD; the air from the refrigerated space enters the evaporator fin-tube sheet at 40F. The saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator is 25F. The TD is 15F (40F – 25F).
Evaporator TD is important for several reasons.
1. It has a significant (and directly proportional) impact on evaporator capacity. For example, consider an evaporator rated at 12,000 Btu at a 10F TD. Double the TD to 20F, and you’ll double the capacity to 24,000 Btu.
2. The greater the Evaporator TD, the greater the amount of moisture content removal from the air. In products such as fresh meat, produce or floral, the system design should be
such that the refrigeration system does not remove excessive amounts of moisture content from air, as this will result in the removal of moisture content from the refrigerated product. This will dry/damage the product, and will lessen its weight (lowering revenue of items that are sold by the kg./lb). The greater the TD, the greater the moisture content removed from the product.
As stated above, some products require an environment where the relative humidity is kept at higher levels. However, not all products require such a stringent level of relative humidity. Table 1 shows the various classes of TD/Relative Humidity for refrigeration applications.
While a high TD is not generally recommended for refrigerated storage, it is desirable in air conditioning applications. It is not uncommon to see a 35F TD in air conditioning applications, which will reduce the moisture content of the circulated air, providing a more comfortable environment.
The standard rating point for the low temperature evaporators in Table 2 is a -20F saturated refrigerant temperature. Note that for a given evaporator model, there are varying Btu capacity ratings listed, based on the refrigerant type. For example, the 065LE is rated at 59,160 Btu with R-407A, and 61090 Btu for R-407C.
In addition, there are various capacity correction factors listed for refrigerant saturation temperatures from -40F to 0F.
This particular capacity chart is for evaporator models with six fins per inch. There are some low temperature applications where it would be advisable to use four fins per inch, so that as ice/frost starts to build up on the fins, it would allow more time before that buildup was excessive enough to require a defrost cycle. The model 55VE is the same cabinet size, same length and diameter tubing, same fan motors and fans, but is equipped with four fins per inch. The lower amount of fins per inch results in a reduction in capacity. In this case, the capac -
Figure 2 Condenser TD
Figure 1 Evaporator TD
Class T.D. Approx. RH Description of Product Classes
1 7º - 9F. 90%
CAPACITY DATA STANDARD 6 F.P.I. MODELS
Results in a minimum amount of moisture evaporation during storage. Includes vegetables, produce, flowers, unpackaged ice and chill rooms.
Medium Temperature Models - Capacity @ 6 F.P.I. *
2 10º - 12F. 80 - 85%
That certainly will be the “low bid” condenser choice for this application.
However; there are several negative impacts in selecting the low bid condenser:
Includes general storage & convenience store coolers, packaged meats and vegetables, fruits and similar products. Products require slightly lower relative humidity levels than those in Class I.
Includes beer, wine, pharmaceuticals, potatoes and onions, tough skin fruits such as melons & short term packaged products. These products require only moderate relative humidity.
Includes prep and cutting rooms, beer warehouses, candy or film storage and loading docks. These applications need only low relative humidities or are unaffected by humidity.
Table 1 RH Classes for Refrigeration Applications
2. Higher discharge temperature, which will accelerate the rate at which oil will decompose,
Capacities for R407A and R407C are based on mean temperature. Mean temperature is the average temperature between the saturated suction temperature and the temperature feeding the evaporator. For dew point ratings, consult factory. Medium
Capacities at other TD within a range of 8 to 15 °F (4.4 to 8.3°C) are directly proportional to TD, or use formula: Capacity = Rated capacity ÷ 10 x TD. For capacities at TD outside of range 8 to 15 °F (4.4 to 8.3°C), or liquid temperature lower than 75°F (24°), consult factory
Derate capacity by 0.92 and CFM by .85 for Throw Booster Option.
Table 2 Low Temperature Evaporator Capacity
Average Air Throw - ft (m)† STANDARD FAN AND MOTOROPTIONAL THROW BOOSTER 110 (33) 150 (46) † Measured in open space. Actual throw may be less in real applications.
ity drops to 50,600 Btu (not shown in the chart below).
Table 3 shows the capacity reduction based on altitude. For example, the altitude in Denver, CO is 5,280 feet above sea level. For convenience sake, we’ll round that down to 5,000 feet. Based on the chart in Table 2, that means that the evaporator capacity will be reduced by 15 per cent. It is important to take this capacity de-rating when selecting equipment, so as to (1) ensure that there is sufficient evaporator capacity, and (2) maintain the correct capacity balance between the evaporator(s) and the condensing unit.
CONDENSER
Considering the other heat transfer surface – the condenser – TD also plays a major role in the equipment selection. In Figure 2, the ambient air enters the con-
denser fin-tube sheet at 95F. The saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the condenser is 105F. The TD is 10F (105F – 95F).
Similar to evaporator capacity, the condenser TD is directly proportional to condenser capacity.
This is illustrated in the condenser capacity chart shown in Table 4:
The capacity for the TCL162, using R-407A, has a capacity of 74.60 MBH. As the chart states, that capacity is per 1F TD. So, if this condenser was applied with a 10F TD, the condenser capacity would be 74.60 MBH x 10 = 746.0 MBH.
This presents a decision regarding the balance between system efficiency, and initial equipment cost. If the application required a condenser capacity of 1,800 MBH, this could be achieved utilizing the TCL162, with a 25F TD.
3. Higher compressor compression ratio, which will reduce compressor capacity. But hey, you did save a few dollars.
As the chart reflects, there are slight differences in capacity of a given condenser model depending on the type of refrigerant being used.
In addition, various motor speeds are available for a given condenser footprint. Higher motor speeds will yield higher capacity with a given condenser footprint. But the higher fan speed will result in higher noise levels, which can be a concern in some applications.
Now, models TCL150, TCL162 and TCL168 all utilize the same cabinet size, the same length/diameter of tubing, the same fans/fan motors. The only difference between the three models is the fin spacing (fins/inch). Reducing fin spacing reduces the total heat transfer surface, which reduces condenser capacity.
There is a balance here…increasing fin spacing allows for more capacity out of a given condenser footprint. But, at some point the increased fin spacing will result in a condenser that is more susceptible to restrictions in airflow, caused by debris in the air. Some energy regulations are now calling for a minimum 10 fins per inch, to maintain a minimum condenser efficiency.
Again, we see that there is a capacity de-rating when the condenser is used in applications in higher than sea level altitudes. This is for the same reason stated above in relation to evaporator de-rating…the less dense air at higher
Continued on p68
The Web600 system from Sensaphone monitors up to 6 external conditions, such as power failure, temperature, humidity and water detection. Users can make programming changes, access status conditions and review data logs online. The system can log up to 100,000 records. In the event of an alarm, the system can notify as many as 8 people by e-mail, text message or SNMP trap. www.sensaphone.com
From Fujitsu General America, the UTY-TTRX thermostat converter allows the company’s Halcyon mini-split and Airstage VRF heating and cooling systems to be controlled by a third party thermostat. Up to 16 indoor units can be controlled as a group by a single thermostat converter. By installing the converter between the third-party thermostat and Fujitsu system, heating and cooling system control is provided, including on/off control, operation mode, room temperature, fan speed, and error notifications via LED lights. www.fujitsugeneral.com
Johnson Controls has expanded the capacity range for its York YVFA chillers, now up to 500 tons. The chillers use an Annual Energy Cost (AEC) modeling tool to produce a report of variables such as geographic location, building type, operating hours, utility costs and local weather data. www.york.com
From Goodway Technologies, the GDS-100 industrial descaling system is a portable, cleanin-place pump system that can be used to remove limescale, calcium and mineral deposits, rust and other contaminants from HVAC and process manufacturing equipment. www.goodway.com
Emerson has expanded its Copeland Discus III compressor line with the addition of the 4DA/4DE and 6DU/6DV/6DZ models. The 4DA/4DE models are Copeland’s smallest capacity four-cylinder Discus compressors while the 6DU/6DV/6DZ models are the brand’s largest capacity six-cylinder compressors. With CoreSense technology, every Discus model is equipped with oil pressure, motor and discharge temperature protection as well as accessible fault information and LEDs. www.emerson.com
The 9600Q natural gas furnace series from Napoleon Heating and Cooling is designed to accommodate new spaces during the building process and after move in. This furnace (propane convertible) line accommodates new construction projects by utilizing modular heat exchangers and blowers that slide in and out easily. The series is available with models including 40K, 60K and 80K BTUs and is Energy Star Rated. www.napoleonheatingandcooling.com
From Modine Louisville Inc., the GulfCoat HVAC/R system coil coating is available in 12 oz aerosol cans from RectorSeal. It is waterbased, 0.4-1.4 mil synthetic polymer blue or clear coating. One can coats a maximum eight-square-feet of coil space. Multiple applications can also be contractor-sprayed uniformly throughout coils two-rows-deep and less on packaged rooftops, large condensers, modular air handler and air-cooled chillers. www.rectorseal.com/gulfcoat
GETTING CONNECTED
Industry meets in Charlottetown for annual business conference.
The Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating has tapped Barclay Sales Ltd. executive Andrew Dyck to take the reins as its 72nd chairman, making him the first manufacturers agent to hold the position.
Dyck was appointed at the association’s 86th Annual General Meeting, held during the Annual Business Conference in Charlottetown, PE.
With more than three decades in the industry, Dyck has held positions at Honeywell Ltd. and ECR International. He joined CIPH in 2011, and is currently the vice president of sales at Barclay Sales.
In the upcoming year, Gail Kaufman, vice president of marketing and e-business at Wolseley Canada, will serve as first vice chairman, while Bill Hooper, Atlantic regional sales manager for Uponor Ltd., will take on the role of second vice chairman.
Outgoing chairman Allen Taylor, president and CEO of Taylor Pipe Supports, will head up the board as treasurer. Paul McDonald, general manager of Bradford White Canada Inc., will server as honorary vice-chairman.
New directors representing the wholesalers division are Paul Blaik, vice president of Mechanical Supply Inc., and Norm Bajwa, the British Columbia regional manager for Bartle & Gibson Co. Ltd.
Ryan Bristow, managing partner for Equipco Ltd. in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, has joined, representing the agents council.
CIPH also added a new membership category for pumps and water treatment under specialty wholesaler distributor. The category includes pumps, pump accessories, water treatment and controls.
TAKING IT IN
More than 300 delegates joined the as -
sociation in Canada’s smallest province from June 16 to 18.
The conference included a number of educational sessions, presentations and east coast style entertainment, such as a “kitchen party”-themed lobster dinner.
Speakers included comedian Patrick Ledwell, PEI Premier Dennis King and Olympic gold medalist Heather Moyse. Speaker Michael Falcon led a talk on
customer experience and employee management.
Alan Beaulieu, president and principal of ITR Economics presented an economic outlook. Though the economy is uncertain, he said there is opportunity for businesses to grow. He encouraged attendees to prepare for a recession, and pointed to 2021 as a good year for the economy.
In a keynote address by Nick Bontis, attendees learned the challenges and opportunities of doing business in an increasingly digital world.
Andy Collier, energy programs coordinator at efficiencyPEI, led a presentation during the Canadian Hydronics Council meeting on the organization’s programs and services.
The 88th annual general meeting will be held at Fairmont Tremblant in MontTremblant, QC from June 28 to 30, 2020. www.ciph.com <>
CIPH NAMES IPEX INC. EXECUTIVE HONOURARY LIFE MEMBER
CIPH presented its highly acclaimed Honourary Life Membership distinction to IPEX Inc. executive Russ Morgan at the Charlottetown conference.
Morgan, the company’s vice president of sales and marketing for Canada, served as chairman of the CIPH board of directors in 2010 to 2011.
“I had the chance and privilege to chair the board back in 2010,” Morgan said in a speech to attendees at the Chairman’s Banquet. “I learned that, when you give back to your industry, your industry will give back to you.”
Established in 1974, the award recognizes an individual who has provided “outstanding leadership” to CIPH, their company and the industry. To be eligible, the member must be nearing retirement or a be a retired senior executive.
In parting, Morgan said he was “truly honoured” to have been awarded, and called on attendees to encourage more people to get involved in the industry.
“We are part of a great industry. We have to focus more and more going forward on diversity, inclusiveness and bringing more people [into the industry],” he said.
Russ Morgan of IPEX Inc. (centre), alongside wife Lori Morgan (right) accepts the Honorary Life Membership award from Allen Taylor, 201819 Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating chairman (left), at the chairman’s banquet.
Allen Taylor (left) past chair passes the gavel to incoming chair Andrew Dyck.
PLUMBING PRODUCTS
Electric Eel’s compact eCAM Ace 100-Micro pipeline inspection camera system may be used in pipes ranging from 1-1⁄2 in. to 3 in. diameter and up to 100 ft. in length. It weighs 15 pounds. The system comes equipped with a 512Hz transmitter and a resettable on-screen footage counter. Video is streamed directly to any mobile device, which can be used as a monitor. Audio and video can be recorded to mobile devices. Files are saved on the device and can then be transferred via e-mail, text, or to the Cloud. www.electriceel.com
Bradford White’s PowerStor Series SS stainless steel indirect water heaters features a stainless steel tank. A new single wall heat exchanger offers better efficiency and performance. Pair it with a Brute Series boiler for an efficient hydronic solution. www.bradfordwhite.com
The Modulus collection from DXV includes a lavatory, bathroom sink faucets, showerheads, freestanding soaking tub and one-piece toilet. Lavatories feature a sink bowl, “dry” ledge and semiwet transition zone. Sizes include a 21 in. single bowl, 55-in. double bowl and 36-in. concrete model. Single-lever, vessel, wall-mounted, and high arc/low spout widespread faucet models are available. Thermostatic shower valves feature multiple in-line volume controls and diverter valve options. The design includes 1/8 in. deep escutcheons. The tub has an 81-gallon capacity and is designed for use with a floor- or wall-mounted tub filler. Toilet options include wall-mounted and bidet. Both models feature concealed tank designs. www.dxv.com
Newport Brass has introduced the new Heaney collection, which has squared, faceted details on both the base and at the end of its curved spout. The fixture includes the Newport Brass magnetic docking system that secures the pullout spray head to the spout when not in use, and also features a two-function toggle control spray engine with a pivot ball fitting that enhances directional control within the sink. Constructed of solid brass, the collection includes matching water delivery and accessory products and is offered in 27 different decorative finishes. www.newportbrass.com
Webstone, a brand of NIBCO, announces E-X-P Service Valve Kits for tankless water heaters with integrated PRV and/or drain ports. E-X-P Service Valve Kits isolate the unit for servicing, and feature colour-coded handles and union connections. Kits are forged from lead-free dezincification resistant brass. The valves are available in ¾ in. with choice of FIP, SWT, Press, Push or PEX connections. www.webstonevalves.com/exp
REED Pump Stick with cordless power provides a portable, jobsite friendly way to remove water. Use with operator’s own 18V-20V battery by replacing the battery adapter plate with one designed for common, slide style batteries. Hard shell, aluminum main body shaft outlasts the competition. The on/off switch is sealed and water-resistant. To protect the impeller, choose from multiple screens, strainers and filters to suit the application. It ships with a 2 ft. hose, but add extra length with the 4 ft. and 7 ft. hose extensions plus the hose coupling. The pump is designed to lift water up to 12 ft. www.reedmfgco.com
Streamline site-sizable linear shower drain comes in 36 in. and 72 in. models. Its modular design allows for location of the outlet anywhere along the channel. The construction cover protects the channel during rough-in. Slotted strainer or tile-in models are available. The strainer level can be adjusted to allow for thicker tiles. www.siouxchief.com
Flo by Moen calculates water pressure, flow rate and temperature within a home’s water supply system while using AI to differentiate normal water use from abnormal use. This enables the device to monitor and help detect water leaks and other vulnerabilities. It is comprised of a Wi-Fi connected device that is installed on the main water supply line going into the home and connected to a smartphone app. Flo Technologies’ proprietary MicroLeak technology allows it to monitor and detect pipe leaks in the water supply system, including behind walls or in the foundation. The device’s temperature sensors provide early warnings if water in the home’s water supply system is approaching freezing. If the homeowner fails to respond to alerts, the system can be set to automatically shut off the water to protect the home from flooding with water. www.moen.ca
IPEX now offers the complete line of Building Information Modeling (BIM) objects, for the AquaRise potable water piping system. Available in all relevant BIM file formats, the models provide easy navigation and accuracy and allow for system testing and validation. They can be downloaded to a desktop or directly into the design model. www.ipexaquarise.com
Dean, Beluga and Nano collections from THG Paris are available in a variety of finishes. Nano features a widespread lavatory. The collection is available with an angular or curved spout with choice of cross or level handles. A single-hole design is also available. Knurled fasteners are included on each valve base of the Dean collection. Beluga is available in cross or lever handles. www.thg-paris.com
GO WITH THE FLOW
Best practices for maintaining water movement in plumbing systems
BY DAVID DESJARDINS
Minimizing bacteria growth in plumbing supply systems has become increasingly important in the plumbing industry in recent years. This is done largely through the control of temperature and flow maintenance. Plumbing engineers, installers and facility operators are particularly concerned with Legionella, a waterborne bacterium that causes a very serious type of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease.
In the U.S., up to 113,000 people are infected with the Legionella bacteria each year. In Canada, the average number of reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease is generally less than 100 per year. However the actual number of cases is thought to be much higher, as many people with pneumonia may not be tested for infection with Legionella.1
Two of the biggest culprits of water-borne illnesses are stagnation and improper water temperature. Stagnation in water distribution systems is a problem in most modern buildings, but it is a larger problem in healthcare facilities where immunocompromised patients can be found coexisting with piping dead ends and inconsistent occupancies that lead to periods of stagnation. Stagnation can lead to a buildup of biofilms and pathogens which can ultimately damage the system, causing health problems for those exposed.
With continuous (or even intermittent) flow, there is an exchange of fresh water which reduces stagnation in the system and helps keep water closer to the desired temperature. Even with recirculation, stagnation can occur in dead legs because of the lack of water exchange. By maintaining water flow and keeping temperatures out of the Legionella growth range, engineers and installers can greatly reduce the risk. Viega has several options to help with water quality issues.
MAINTAINING TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Legionella is unable to reproduce or live at temperatures above 131F. The issue is complicated by the biofilm in which the bacteria may live. Because it is a protective insulating film, bacteria within the biofilm may not be subject to elevated system temperatures. (Thermal disinfection is not recommended
in the update of Guideline 12 which is out for public review).
Hot water and hot water recirculation piping should be insulated to prevent excessive heat loss. Depending on the ambient temperature near the piping, insulating cold water piping may also be considered. All plumbing should be installed in such a way as to minimize heat transfer between pipes at different temperatures. Grouping well-insulated pipes of similar temperature together can further reduce unwanted heat transfer that could place water in prime temperature range for the proliferation of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens.
MAINTAIN FLOW
Maintaining flow offers several key benefits for plumbing systems. First, water in motion can make it harder for bacteria to establish itself along the pipe wall. Second, stagnant water that has cooled is displaced with higher temperature fresh water from the heating source, making it easier to maintain temperature. Additionally, if chemical disinfectant has been used, water moving through the system will flush it out.
RECIRCULATE
Dead legs can result in stagnation, because the water trapped
in a dead leg is not subject to flow for extended periods. Once stagnant, water temperatures will reach that of the surrounding environment, which, in most cases, lies exactly in the temperature range conducive to Legionella colonization.
One way to promote a consistent supply temperature in a hot water system is to use recirculation. If balanced so that all parts of the system are subject to the design flow rate calculated to offset heat loss, this strategy can work well for risers and mains.
Branches and dead legs can pose a challenge for maintaining specific water temperatures, even with the use of a recirculation system that maintains temperature in risers and mains. It’s not always possible to recirculate branch lines. It’s even less likely to be able to recirculate drops serving fixtures. This means that in a branch-and-tee system, dead legs are inherent to the design.
There are several effective recirculation strategies that help minimize dead legs, one of which is to pipe individual fixtures in series. In other words, installers should daisy chain one fixture to the next. Using flow-through fittings in a series installation compared to standard branch-and-tee moves the tee closer to the fixture, reducing the potential for stagnation in supply lines of unused fixtures.
With the most used fixture at the end of the series, anytime that fixture is used, it causes flow in the remaining fixtures upstream up to their point of connection whether they are used or not. What would normally be served by a dead leg because of non-use would now see flow through normal occupant habits even if that fixture itself is not used.
If the most-used fixture is not known, the group of fixtures could be fed from two different directions, resulting in a ring. In this way, any fixture used on the ring will cause flow from both directions regardless of how close the fixture is to the branch, minimizing stagnation for a bank of fixtures.
Design and installation professionals should consider all options to minimize the potential for risks to occur in the first place. Consider using double drop elbows, Venturi press inserts, or an internal recirculation system to reduce water waste and increase energy savings while maintaining temperature, meaning users not only reduce the risk for bacteria, but also save money and water in the process.<>
David Desjardins is manager, strategic initiatives at Viega.
Reference 1 Public Health Agency of Canada
MECHANICAL SUPPLY NEWS
MANUFACTURERS • DISTRIBUTORS • WHOLESALERS
TACO AWARDS MIKE MILLER, DARRON DESROCHES FOR NORTH AMERICAN SALES
Taco Comfort Solutions recently awarded sales managers in its commercial and wholesale businesses.
HPAC columnist, Mike Miller – responsible for Taco’s commercial sales in Canada – received the 2018 Region Manager of the Year recognition. Darron Desroches received the 2018 Region Manager of the Year for Taco’s North American sales team representing the southeast sales market in the residential wholesale channel. www.tacocomfort.com
GRUNDFOS BEGINS $3.5 MILLION EXPANSION OF OAKVILLE FACILITY
Grundfos Canada Inc. broke ground on a $3.5 million expansion of its Oakville facility July 11.
Located at 2941 Brighton Road, the expanded facility is designed to increase warehousing and service capabilities by doubling its size to 48,000 square feet.
Slated to wrap up in July 2020, the expansion aims to enable Grundfos to add new skilled job and apprenticeship opportunities. The building will be constructed by Maple Reinders Ltd.
Based out of Denmark, the company employs 19,000 people worldwide and produces pump units, circulator pumps, submersible pumps and centrifugal pumps.
Grundfos opened its doors in Canada in 1981. In 1988, the company set up a distribution centre in Mississauga, ON.
Its Canadian arm was established in 1992. Today, Grundfos Canada employs more than 100 people. www.grundfos.com
Continued on p78
DISTRIBUTION
>> UV Resources has expanded its sales and support coverage in western Canada. HVAC Systems and Solutions, based in Port Coquitlam, BC will offer engineering design and customized HVAC/R solution support for BC, Calgary, Yukon and Northwest Territories. www.uvresources.com www.hvacsystems.ca
>> Saniflo Canada has entered a partnership with Mississauga, ON-based Centon Sales Corp. to provide sales and service to the company’s wholesale channel in Ontario. The company also recently partnered with ProWest Sales Ltd. for its wholesale channel in BC. www.prowestsales.com www.centonsales.com www.saniflo.ca
>> Oakville Stamping & Bending (OS&B) has appointed Great Lakes Marketing as the manufacturers agency for its bronte showroom division in southwestern Ontario. Under the partnership, Kitchener, ON-based Great Lakes Marketing will assume responsibility for the bronte collection of products. Those interested can contact sales representative David Brooks by e-mail at dbrooks@greatlakesmarketing.ca or by phone at 519.588.2680. www.greatlakesmarketing.ca www.brontecollection.ca
>> Refrigerative Supply Limited (RSL) will support sales and distribution of all Daikin North America LLC residential unitary, ductless, light commercial and VRV products in Western Canada. Existing Daikin Comfort Pro dealers in the region will transition to being fully supported by RSL. www.northamerica-daikin.com www.rsl.ca
>> Multi HVAC Inc. will now distribute Hisense ductless split air conditioners and heat pump products as part of its 2019 lineup. www.multihvac.ca www.hisense-canada.ca
>> Master distributor Motors & Armatures, Inc. (MARS) will sell and support aftermarket Danfoss air conditioning and refrigeration products in North America. The company will begin servicing regional and independent wholesalers immediately with plans to support Danfoss’ existing wholesale partners by early 2020. www.danfoss.us www.marsdelivers.com
(Left to right) Cheryl Merchant, president, Taco Comfort Solutions NA; Darron Desroches, southeast regional sales director; Mike Miller, director of sales, commercial building services, Canada; and Todd Facey, senior vice president, Field Sales NA.
Refrigerative Supply’s north Calgary, AB branch.
ITALIAN MANUFACTURER HIRES DIRECTOR TO HEAD UP SALES IN CANADA, U.S.
Diego Stefani
Italy-based HVAC manufacturer Olimpia Splended S.p.A has taken its first step into the Canadian market.
The company appointed Diego Stefani as its director of sales and business development for North America.
In this role Stefani is responsible for bringing the company’s heating and air conditioning products to the U.S. and Canada, working out of the Olimpia Splendid USA sales office in Dallas, TX.
Stefani says the company plans to launch the next generation of its thru the wall heating and air conditioning units at the AHR Expo, to be held in Orlando, FL in February 2020.
The thru the wall heat pump is “one of a kind,” he says. Designed for residential and hospitality applications, the unit offer quiet operation, a compact cabinet and 115V electric connection.
He says the technology is suited to the Canadian market as it was originally designed for older, European homes where condensing units could not be installed on the outside wall, nor could a large opening in the wall be made.
“The Canadian market often times also had building and homes that were not originally equipped with heating and cooling and more so cooling, and thus again the Olimpia Splendid thru the wall unit offers a solution to this issue,” he says.
Stefani has worked in the industry for 25 years, having held positions at The Whalen Company, Daikin/Goodman Manufacturing, CDI, York International and Johnson Controls.
“We also have a three year product plan to launch other products such as the ultra slim line of two pipe and four pipe chilled water fan coils, water source heat pumps and ductless mini splits,” Stefani says. “In a nutshell, I am very excited about what the future holds for Olimpia Splendid as we bring our Home of Comfort products to the Canadian customers where they live, work and play.”
Marco Saccone, Olimpia Splendid USA president, says the company has plans for international expansion. Over the last five year, it has opened sales offices in France, Spain, Brazil and China. www.olimpiasplendidusa.com
VICTAULIC ACQUIRES U.S. SPRINKLER MANUFACTURER
Victaulic has purchased Globe Fire Sprinkler to bring “exciting new solutions” to the global fire protection industry.
Steven Worthington will continue to serve the combined organization as president.
“The addition of Globe’s fire protection sprinkler volume and engineering capabilities will provide the scale and skills necessary to be a true leader in all aspects of the fire protection industry,” said John F. Malloy, CEO of Victaulic. www.victaulic.com www.globesprinkler.com
DESCO PLUMBING AND HEATING SUPPLY UNVEILS NEW HEAD OFFICE, RELOCATES MISSISSAUGA BRANCH
Desco Plumbing and Heating Supply Inc. held an open house to celebrate the opening of its new head office at 7550 Tranmere Drive in Mississauga, ON.
Special Deschênes Group guests included Joe Senese, vice president operations-Ontario and president and CEO François Deschênes. Senese and Deschênes held the pipe for Jon Leeson, Desco vice president and general manager, in an unconventional but fitting “pipe cutting.”
Desco is a plumbing, heating, air-conditioning and waterworks systems distributor-wholesaler. This Deschênes subsidiary has 17 outlets, three with a showroom operating under The Water Closet brand.
The company also recently relocated its branch in Mississauga, ON. The former facility at 6250 Kestrel Road has moved to 6710 Maritz Drive, Unit 3. www.desco.ca
NOBLE DRAWS CROWD TO ANNUAL TRADE SHOW, CUSTOMER APPRECIATION EVENT
The event attracted 1,100 attendees.
Noble’s 26th annual customer appreciation barbeque and trade show attracted a crowd of 1,100 to its Concord, ON head office in June.
The event featured a number of exhibitors, including American Standard, Grundfos, Viega, Victaulic, Watts, Sloan, Uponor, Moen, Navien, Elkay, Milwaukee Tool, Liberty Pumps, Ipex, Rheem and many more.
www.noble.ca
Left to right: Joe Senese, Jon Leeson and François Deschênes
REHAU MARKS 40-YEARS AT LEESBURG, VA HEADQUARTERS
Manufacturer REHAU is celebrating the 40th anniversary of establishing its North America headquarters in Leesburg, VA.
The Leesburg team oversees operations across four sub-region administrative offices, 20 sales offices, nine plants and eight logistics centres throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America. www.na.rehau.com
SINOPÉ TECHNOLOGIES TO UNVEIL SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY
Sinopé Technologies announced plans to offer a smart home ecosystem this fall.
Products include a new management app and range of smart home devices. The company will offer thermostats for a variety of heating systems, lighting and specialized control solutions, as well as a Zigbee hub.
Neviweb, the Sinopé brand management platform for connected objects, will become an app available in the App Store and Google Play.
Consumers will be able to control the company’s smart home devices, including Sedna, its smart water damage protection system, using the platform.
Several new features will be added to the Neviweb management platform, including the ability to schedule scenes and automations between compatible smart products. www.sinopetech.com
Continued on p80
MAXIMIZE
Maximize your earning potential with Whalen’s Closetline® – the most energy efficient compact family in the industry.
Maximize leasable space with a compact footprint to fit in tight spaces for new construction or renovations.
Maximize service revenue with a unit designed for ease of install and quick service access.
Maximize comfort with quiet and reliable operation.
WhalenCompany.com/Maximize
Workers celebrate the occasion outside the Virginia-based headquarters.
TOUR FEATURES MODINE COMMERCIAL VENTILATION, INFRARED, CLASSROOM AND UNIT HEATER PRODUCTS
The weather gods were smiling on the fourth stop in Modine‘s 2019 Innovation Tour at the Vaughan Holiday Inn Express in Toronto.
Visitors to the event on June 11 and 12 checked out the full line of HVAC solutions integrated into a 53-foot semi-truck.
“Toronto is rapidly building commercial spaces with plans to build several new skyscrapers in the coming years. This creates a great demand for commercial HVAC solutions,” said Kimberly Raduenz, marketing communications manager for Modine.
Professional development seminars were also on the agenda. Industry training included the Basics of Make-Up Air. Hands on training and product demos focused on the Hot Dawg Unit Heater, the Effinity
(PTC) with BMS Compatibilities Modine Controls System and the Atherion. www.modine.com
TRANE, STULZ USA ENTER AGREEMENT
Trane and Stulz USA have entered a Strategic OEM Supply Sales Agreement for Canada and the United States.
The agreement aims to “strengthen and expand both companies’ market positions in North America.”
Stulz USA will manufacture a range of products for Trane as an OEM supplier, and Trane will sell various Stulz-branded products.
Trane will gain access to Stulz USA’s full portfolio of Computer Room Air Handling and Computer Room Air Conditioners, along with split systems DX units for temperature control and dehumidification in indoor farming and grow environments. www.trane.com www.stulz-usa.com
GERBER OPENS NEW WAREHOUSE IN WESTERN CANADA
Gerber Plumbing Fixtures LLC has opened its Western Distribution Centre in the lower mainland of British Columbia. The facility is designed to support the company’s partners in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan, while easing the load on Gerber’s primary warehouse in Montreal.
"The new warehouse in British Columbia was a significant undertaking, but well worth the effort," said Tony Favilla, vice president of sales and marketing for the company. "The addition of the warehouse will not affect the order process for customers. They will continue to follow the same process as they have in the past."
www.gerberonline.com
THE EASY WAY TO BOOST PRODUCTIVITY.
Adrian Steel’s Grip Lock and Drop Down Ladder Racks are designed with ergonomics and user safety in mind. Whether you’re upfitting a single van or an entire fleet, Adrian Steel has just what you need. Increased efficiency starts now.
JOHNSTONE SUPPLY – B&B OPENS DOORS TO RENOVATED ETOBICOKE BRANCH
After nearly a year of upgrades, Johnstone Supply – B&B Trade Distribution Centre commemorated the re-opening of its Etobicoke branch May 15 alongside customers and manufacturers representatives. Vendors at the event included Fujitsu Ltd., Goodman Manufacturing, Ruud, Navien Inc., UEi Test Instruments, Ritchie, JB, Rotom, Honeywell, TPI (Test Products International Inc.), Regal Inc., Continental Heating and Cooling, U.S. Motors, White-Rodgers Company and SpeedClean. www.jssupplybb.ca
B&B Trade Distribution Centre President and CEO Tom Boutette at the grand reopening of the Etobicoke branch.
Robyn Brookhart has been elected to the position of president of Liberty Pumps. She replaces Charlie Cook who will remain CEO and Chairman. Brookhart has been with Liberty for 22 years in a variety of positions including executive vice president, as well as its CEO – a position she will retain.
Enviroair has tapped Maxime Boivin to take over as sales director of consulting firms for Quebec. Boivin spent the last five years gaining sales experience with HVAC engineered products. He is involved in the Quebec City chapter of ASHRAE.
Dan Milroy has joined Equipco Ltd. as managing partner. Milroy most recently held the position of director of sales and marketing at Bradford White in Canada. As managing partner, Milroy will lead the company’s Eastern Canada operations.
Independent Mechanical Supply Inc. has added Ed Lupson to its heating department at the company’s head office in Rexdale, ON. In this role, he will service all three locations in the Greater Toronto Area (Rexdale, Scarborough and Oakville).
Martin Knieps, director of technical marketing for Viega LLC, has been selected to join the board of directors of Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI). Knieps will serve a two-year term on the seven-member board. Knieps, who joined Viega in 2006, has been active with PMI since 2015. He most recently served on its Advocacy/Government Affairs Committee. Michael Martinez, product compliance manager at Delta Faucet Co., also was named to the board.
Stelpro has appointed Pierre-Yves Martin as vice president of sales and business development. Martin joined the company as national retail sales manager in June 2018.
Mark Williamson has been promoted to the position of director, sales and marketing, for Bradford White in Canada. Williamson will be responsible for the company’s water heater and Laars Heating System sales throughout the region.
Superior Boiler-Hutchinson has promoted Danny Lane to vice president of operations. In this role, Lane will lead and oversee all company operations and facilities maintenance and management. He has been with the company for more than 30 years.
Knipex Tools has hired Patrick Mooney as national sales manager for Canada. In this position, Mooney is responsible for brick and mortar wholesale distribution and dealer accounts throughout Canada. He has held several regional and national sales management roles with Ingersoll-Rand, Stanley Black & Decker and the BeA Group.
Danfoss has appointed John Sheff as its director of public and industry affairs for North America. Sheff succeeds Mark Menzer, who retired from the role in July. He previously held the title of business development manager for Danfoss in North America.
Boivin
Knieps
Martin
Williamson
Mooney
Brookhart
Menzer
Lupson
Lane Milroy
Sheff
TOP 10 TIPS TO GETTING PAID
BY DAN LEDUC
The attention to prompt payment legislation at the federal and provincial level proves the ongoing and entrenched knowledge that the construction industry is premised on cash flow and therefore capitalization is, if not the primary, at least one of the primary goals for any construction. Getting paid is therefore a crucial priority. With that in mind, the following Top 10 List is a healthy start to achieving a healthy cash flow.
1
Be Proactive – waiting to get paid without taking any steps on your own, only makes the later task of trying to get paid more crucial and costly. Banks and financial institutions look at the age of your receivables. Achieving cash neutrality or at least trying to, namely shortening the time as to when any particular dollar is spent and when it is recovered, is key. Humans tend to procrastinate when tasked with unenjoyable duties. Waiting to pursue your money does you no good.
2
Meet in Person – it is human nature to delay a response via prolonged email or text message exchanges. It is much more difficult to deny someone an answer, such as answering “when are we getting paid?” in person. Meet with your debtor’s key representatives, in person and discuss the issue of getting paid. If a promise or representation is made to you about getting paid follow up with an e-mail as it may serve you later if you take legal steps to recover the monies owed to your company. Prompt payment legislation will be a platform on which you should be able to get paid sooner but default on timely payment will still occur.
3
Never Do Work under Protest – far too often clients are prepared to do work under protest. There is a longstanding case from the Supreme Court of Canada (Peter Kiewit Sons’ Co. v. Eakins Construction Ltd., [1960] S.C.R. 361) that stands for the proposition that you cannot do work under protest when your contract has a mechanism for disputes involving such items as scope changes. At a minimum, if you are proceeding to do work you believe is outside your scope, and yet someone else believes it is in your scope,
at a minimum communicate a reservation of rights, namely that you are reserving your rights to make a claim for the cost associated with the disputed work notwithstanding performing the work at this time.
4
Pay When Paid Clauses – this type of contract clause will only apply to contracts downstream from the general contractor and typically provides that you as a sub contractor, sub- subcontractor or supplier are not paid until the entity you have contracted with has been paid. The enforcement of these clauses has dwindled a little in recent years however if the clause is still clearly worded, it can be enforceable in Ontario.
5
Check Your Interest Rate – with the provision of the new Construction Act, section 6.9 mandates that interest be paid on overdue amounts either pursuant to the Courts of Justice Act where the interest rate stipulated in your contract or subcontract, whichever amount is greater. Anglo American business principles have generally held for the last 100 years, that interest is payable on overdue accounts. Why should it be no different for your invoices? It is a small measure of compensation for the late payment and one that you should not ignore. Also, make sure that your contract or subcontract expresses interest in an annual effective rate. Without that annual effective rate, interest may not be enforceable pursuant to Canada's Federal Interest Act.
6
Know How to Certify a Subcontract for Early Release of Holdback – section 33 of the Construction Act provides a mechanism for those sub- trades that perform work early on in a project (i.e. excavation, concrete supply, concrete placement, steel supply, steel erection, etc.) to have their subcontracts certified as complete (not substantially performed which is a different mechanism) and then permit payment of the holdback associated with that particular subcontract 60 days from the date of that certification rather than waiting several months for payment of the holdback at the end of the project and only after substantial performance has not only been certified, but also published.
7
Know How Labour & Material Payment Bonds Work – a labour and material payment bond is another mechanism available to you to get paid. Although it may not be part of a prompt payment strategy, it is still available for those who qualify as a “claimant” under the bonds, to get paid. Do not be shy and asking for a copy of the labour and material payment bond at the outset of the project. Recent case law in Canada has made it mandatory for those up the construction contractual chain to disclose labour material payment bonds in a timely manner when requested. Section 39 of the Construction Act also allows you the statutory mechanism to request a copy of any applicable labour and material payment bond.
8
Know Your Lien and Trust Claim Rates – we have had lien legislation in Ontario for over 100 years. Although resorting to a lien or a trust claim is not typically characterized as part of a prompt payment strategy, the timely registration of the lien can effect payment of a receivable in a quick manner when the opportunity for leverage presents itself. Should your lien rights have expired, you also have the ability to resort to Part II of the Construction Act which is a breach of trust claim if you believe that the entity owing you money has received money in respect of work you have performed. The breach of trust provisions are very powerful as they can permit you to pursue officers, directors and certain employees for that particular debt as result of a breach of trust.
9
Know How to Trigger Adjudication – starting with contracts made after October 2019, adjudication will become a mandatory dispute resolution mechanism. Where there is a default in payment, know how to issue a notice of adjudication and be prepared to follow the process as it can provide you with a quick decision, typically under 40 days, in respect of the defaulting payment and monies owed to you. As well, should you win that adjudication and there is a payment award associated with the decision, and that payment is not made within 10 days of award, you have the leverage and ability to suspend work under the contract in question.
10
Written Notice – almost all standard form construction contracts mandate some form of written notice as a precondition to making a claim for additional or outstanding compensation. Compliance with those requirements has now reached this stage of mandatory compliance with case law in Ontario over the last 5 to 6 years. Simply put, if you do not comply with the notice provisions in your contract, you will almost certainly forfeit the ability to advance your claim. Be prepared to read your contract before you sign it and take particular note of the notice requirements. <>
Dan Leduc is a partner at the law firm of Norton Rose Fulbright LLP practising exclusively in the domain of construction Law. He may be reached by e-mail at dan.leduc@ nortonrosefulbright.com.
TRAINING
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS CANADA
International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA)
Under agreement with AGSHP, HRAI will be providing IGSHPA training courses for geothermal heat pump system designers and installers in Ontario. The courses are in support of the recently established GreenON Low Carbon Technologies Incentive Program requirements, using IGSHPA certified trainers. The IGSPHA Accredited Geothermal Installer course covers ground-source heat pump systems, while IGSPHA Certified Residential Geothermal Designer course will train attendees on how to properly design a residential geothermal heat pump. For details contact Angie Mantei at 800.267.2231, ext. 237 or e-mail amantei@hrai.ca. www.hrai.ca
Dollars to $ense Energy Management Workshops
Since 1997, over 30,000 representatives of industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) organizations have enrolled in the Dollars to $ense energy management workshops. In 2016, the material was completely remodeled and updated; it is now presented in 30 modules, which can easily be used as building blocks for organizations that have limited resources or that wish to focus on specific topics. www.cietcanada.com
GPRO Fundamentals of Building Green
Canada Green Building Council is offering this four-hour course as part of its Green Professional Skills Training (GPRO) program. It teaches the basics of sustainability and provides an overview of the essential strategies and work practices that make buildings more efficient. GPRO covers the “green gap” between standard trade skills and the new awareness required to successfully implement sustainable building practices. It is the prerequisite for all GPRO trade-specific courses. www.cagbc.org
The Canadian Hydronics Council (CHC) has partnered with NAIT and British Columbia Institute of Technology to provide course blocks toward CHC certification for hydronic system designers and installers. At NAIT students can register for online or paper-based learning and have nine months to complete each block. www.ciph.com
Residential and Commercial Courses
HRAI offers a variety of residential and commercial courses. The Small Commercial Air System Design course builds on the Small Commercial Heat Gain & Heat Loss Calculations course. The three-day program includes how to design commercial air distribution systems for applications of up to three storeys and 600 sq. metres per storey. Some cost of educational programs can be reimbursed under the Canada Job Grant Fund Program. For more information tel. 800.267.2231 ext. 237. www.hrai.ca
Construction Education Council
CEC’s Gold Seal Accredited Advanced Project Management course, offered in partnership with the University of Waterloo, is a four-day program focused on improving leadership, management and advanced project management skills. It is designed for experienced project managers and senior project managers. To register, contact Tania Johnston at tania@mcac.ca
TECA Quality First Training
TECA’s Quality First training programs are developed by the industry, for the industry, setting minimum standards for the residential and light commercial heating, ventilating and cooling trade in BC. Courses provide contractors with the information they need to install equipment that operates safely and comfortably at rated efficiencies. www.teca.ca
Nudura nudura/hydrofoam.com MH37
CALENDAR
SUMMIT 2019
Modern Hydronics Summit
September 19
HPAC will hold its Summit at the International Centre in Mississauga, ON. www.modernhydronicssummit.com
MCA Canada Annual National Conference
October 2-5
The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada will host this year’s conference in Nashville, TN.
www.mcac.ca
ASPE Technical Symposium
October 24-27
The American Society of Plumbing Engineers symposium will be held at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown in Pittsburgh, PA. www.aspe.org
Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society Annual Conference
September 22-24
The 39th Annual Conference of the Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society will be held at the Saskatoon Arts & Convention Centre, TCU Place in Saskatoon, SK. www.ches.org
Getting to Zero National Forum
October 9-11
The global event will be held in Oakland, CA. www.gettingtozeroforum.org
Canadian Hydronics Council Conference
September 24-25
The conference will be held at the Ottawa Conference & Event Centre in Ottawa, ON. www.ciph.com
Greenbuild International Conference and Expo
November 20-22
Designed for the green building industry, the 2019 event will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. www.greenbuildexpo.com
SMACNA Annual Convention
October 20-23
The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association will hold the convention at the JW Marriott Austin in Austin, TX. www.smacna.org
2020 AHR Expo
February 3-5
HVAC/R marketplace will be held in Orlando, FL at the Orange County Convention Center. www.ahrexpo.com
CIPH ABC
June 28-30
The 2020 Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating Annual Business Conference will be held in Mont Tremblant, QC. www.ciph.com
CMPX
March 25-27
The Canadian Mechanical and Plumbing Exposition will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. www.cmpxshow.com
The Buildings Show
December 4-6
To be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre with the HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo and World of Concrete Toronto Pavilion in the North Building and Construct Canada and PM Expo in the South Building. www.thebuildingsshow.com
MEET
May 6-7
The 2020 Mechanical Electrical Electronic Technology Show will be held at the Moncton Coliseum, Moncton, NB. www.meetshow.com
CIPHEX West
November 4-5
The Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating Exhibition West will take place at the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver, BC. www.ciphexwest.ca
2021 MCEE
April 7-8
Industry professionals will gather at the Montreal Convention Centre, QC for the Mécanex/Climatex/Expolectriq/ Éclairage (MCEE) 2021 trade show. www.mcee.ca
Worry-free installation
Worry-free performance
Watts Radiant Snow and Ice Melting Systems
Watts snow melting systems keep homeowners and businesses safe by removing snow and ice that accumulates on driveways, walkways, stairs, entrances, parking lots, loading docks, and more without use of
• Increased safety for clients and their patrons, patients, guests, employees and relatives
• No salt or plowing means less deterioration of pavement and brick pavers
