HPAC07_2010

10

Proven Efficiency & Conservation Measures

An Optimum

Heating/Cooling System

MAKE THE LEAP Meet Venting Challenges Head On

TIPS

To STRENGTHEN Your Business NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 | $5.00

PM 40070230

WWW.HPACMAG.COM

The Value of BACKWATER VALVES

tents

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

Vol. 84 No. 7

16

A WHOLE NEW VENTING WORLD Higher technology demands greater precision, particularly venting system installations. BY IAN MCTEER

An Ounce Of Prevention

24

Installing a backwater valve is relatively inexpensive protection against costly flooding. BY STEVE GOLDIE

28

DEPARTMENTS

A SECOND CHANCE If you could design the HVAC system in your home all over again, what would you do? BY JOHN SIEGENTHALER

38 SYNERGY SPELLS SUCCESS 40 WHAT THE CONTRACTORS SAY

Contractors discuss the factors that drive their service vehicle purchases. BY BILL ROEBUCK

Cover Photo Istockphoto

Upfront

6

Industry News

48 Manufacturer Supplier News 50 People

Microbrewery showcases 10 energy efficiency measures working in tandem to produce results. BY LUC BOILY

60 Training 60 The Source 62 Calendar

PRODUCTS 36 Hydronic 44 Plumbing

SHOW REPORTS

61

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52 Heating

STRENGTHEN YOUR BUSINESS WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

35 GEOEXCHANGE CONFERENCE 51 CIPHEX West

Is it time for you to develop a strategy utilizing online tools?

BY HOWARD GROSFIELD

56 STICKY PRODUCT…STICKIER PROBLEMS

54 HVAC/R 58 Tools

Exposing the true duct leakage culprit. BY ROBERT BEAN

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< UPFRONT The 800-Pound Gorilla Russia recently announced an agenda to modernize its energy infrastructure, develop alternative energy sources, and to promote conservation and energy efficiency. The goal is to reduce the amount of energy output per unit of economic output by 40 per cent by 2020 (sptimes.ru/story/32235). The country currently uses “2.5 times more energy to produce a given amount of goods and services than the world average.”

The reduction of residential heating consumption, which represents 70 per cent of domestic energy consumption in Russia, has been identified as key to meeting efficiency goals. In Canada, that figure is conservatively 60 per cent. This is in spite of huge investments of money, time, research and manpower to tackle the issue. Russia would do well to review Canadian initiatives – perhaps it will have better results.

Efficiency and performance goals can be hindered by many things, not the least of which is the end user. But what is the 800-pound gorilla in the room? Well, there are certainly any number of options you could choose from, many of which the industry has little or no control over.

On the other hand there are influences over which contractors do have control. Ian McTeer identifies some of them in his article A Whole New Venting World (p.16). In an ideal world we would have the opportunity to try different things, redo or undo what we want, when we want.

Unfortunately, that is not often the case.

Given the time of year though, we have taken some liberties. With a view to having a second chance and with a focus on efficiency, serviceability and other factors, John Siegenthaler shares (p.28) what he would do in his own HVAC/R “laboratory” – a mechanical room wish list so to speak.

I wish our readers a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to sharing a prosperous 2011 with you. <>

HPAC07_004.indd 4

Sales & Marketing Kim Rossiter (416) 764-1787 Coordinator kim.rossiter@rci.rogers.com Art Director Franca Romano (416) 764-1539 franca.romano@rci.rogers.com Production Manager Jennifer Reinhardt (416) 764-3842 jennifer.reinhardt@rci.rogers.com Circulation Manager Bibi Khan (416) 764-1450 bibi.khan@rci.rogers.com PUBLISHER Peter Leonard (416) 764-1510 peter.leonard@hpacmag.rogers.com Executive Publisher Tim Dimopoulos CONTRIBUTORS Robert Bean, Luc Boily, Steve Goldie, THIS ISSUE: Howard Grosfield, Ian McTeer, Bill Roebuck, John Siegenthaler Rogers Media Inc. President and CEO Keith Pelley Rogers Publishing Ltd. President and CEO Brian Segal Senior Vice-President Business AND Professional Publishing John Milne SENIOR Vice-Presidents Michael Fox Vice-Presidents Immee Chee Wah, Patrick Renard

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40070230, Registration No. 10815 Return undeliverable items to: Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning, Circulation Dept., 8th Floor–1 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON M4Y 2Y5 Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning (established 1923) is published 7 times per year

by Rogers Publishing Limited, a division of Rogers Media Inc. HPAC Magazine is the leading Canadian business publication for the owner/manager of mechanical contracting businesses and their supply partners.

ISSN: 0017-9418 Contents Copyright © 2010 by Rogers Publishing Limited, may not be reprinted without permission.

Subscriber Services: To subscribe, renew your subscription or to change your address or information… please visit us at rogersb2bmedia.com/hpac.

Notice: HPAC Magazine, Rogers Publishing Limited, their staff, officers, directors and shareholders (hence known as the “Publisher”) assume no liability, obligations, or responsibility for claims arising from advertised products. The Publisher also reserves the right to limit liability for editorial errors, omissions and oversights to a printed correction in a subsequent issue. HPAC Magazine’s editorial is written for management level mechanical industry personnel who have documented training in the mechanical fields in which they work. Manufacturers’ printed instructions, datasheets and notices always take precedence to published editorial statements.

e

HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

ACCOUNT John Chiasson 416-764-1557 MANAGER john.chiasson@hpacmag.rogers.com

HPAC Magazine receives unsolicited materials (including letters to the editor, press releases, promotional items and images) from time to time. HPAC Magazine, its affiliates and assignees may use, reproduce, publish, re-publish, distribute, store and archive such unsolicited submissions in whole or in part in any form or medium whatsoever, without compensation of any sort.

from th

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ACCOUNT David Skene (416) 764-1590 MANAGER david.skene@hpacmag.rogers.com

Mail Preferences: Occasionally we make our subscriber list available to reputable companies whose products or services may be of interest to you. If you do not want your name to be made available please contact us at rogers@cstonecanada.com or update your profile at rogersb2bmedia.com/hpac.

s n o s a Se ngs greeti

Our environmental policy is available at rogerspublishing.ca.

Photo Istockphoto

Let it be a year of extremes: cold, cold, cold or hot, hot, hot.

Editor Kerry Turner (416) 764-1549 kerry.turner@hpacmag.rogers.com

Subscription Price per year: $40.00 CDN; Outside Canada per year: $80.00 US; Single copy Canada: $5.00 CDN. Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning is published 7 times per year except for occasional combined, expanded or premium issues, which count as two subscription issues.

Editor

m a e t c a hp

HPAC Magazine One Mount Pleasant Rd. Toronto, ON M4Y 2Y5 TEL: 416-764-2000 FAX: 416-764-1746 www.hpacmag.com

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

Proud member of:

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12/7/10 2:41:44 PM

© 2010 Masco Canada Limited

Maintenance. Meet Your Match.

Delta’s redesigned 81T Series Electronic Flush Valves are loaded with Smart Solutions like our innovative h2opticstM technology, one of the most advanced sensing technologies in the industry today. Designed to limit maintenance hassles, this series features an easy to read battery life indicator, as well as a battery pack that allows for simple access to the batteries without exposing the electronics of the flush valve. all these features make Delta’s 81t Valves ideal for any busy public facility. and they’re backed by a 5-year limited warranty.

What more could you ask for? deltacommercialfaucets.com

Industry News

A HEALTHY INTEREST In Energy Efficiency Energy management appears to be more important to healthcare leaders than to executives in other industry sectors. That is a key finding in a recent survey of facilities decision-makers around the world. The Johnson Controls Institute for Building Efficiency, the International Facility Management Association and the American Society for Healthcare Engineering conducted an online survey of decision-makers responsible for managing energy. The Energy Efficiency Indicator survey results included a separate analysis of responses from healthcare organizations.

The survey looked at issues such as what organizations are doing in response to rising energy costs, what factors are driving efficiency improvements, what payback they

expect on projects, and what technologies and practices they are applying.

Highlights of the survey include: • 59 per cent of healthcare organizations believe energy management is extremely or very important, compared to 52 per cent of respondents across all industries.

• 66 per cent of healthcare respondents are paying more attention to energy efficiency than they were a year ago.

• Cost savings is the biggest factor driving energy efficiency investments in healthcare; enhancing image and taking advantage of government or utility incentives are next.

• Nearly 50 per cent of healthcare respondents cited energy efficiency in buildings as their top strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• The average maximum allowable payback period for energy efficiency investments in healthcare is 3.3 years, down from 4.2 years in 2008.

• The top barriers to capturing potential energy savings are lack of internal capital and inability to identify projects with sufficient ROI. Readers can view or download the complete survey report at institutebe.com/InstituteBE/media/Library/Resources/ What%27s%20New/EEI-2010-Global-Full-Report-ENG.pdf

Photo Istockphoto

SEE THE LATEST HPAC e-newsletter @ hpacmag.com

Plumbing Fixture Requirements Delayed ments typical of residential drainline installations. However, when HETs are installed in industrial, commercial and institutional buildings, there are concerns about the drainline carry of a 4.8 litre flush volume. The BC Building Code’s HET requirement will be limited to residential buildings until further research on drainline transport issues becomes available. housing.gov.bc.ca/building/consultation/het/

HIGH ALTITUDE CALLS FOR HIGHER STANDARD STANDATA bulletin G-02-10, which was jointly developed by Alberta’s Safety Services and the Gas Technical Council, informs designers, vendors, builders, contractors and owners that the inspection and approval of gas appliances and equipment for use at altitudes over 2,000 ft. (600 m) must comply with special clauses within B149.1 – 2010 Natural Gas and Propane Installation code. municipalaffairs.alberta.ca continued on page 8

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HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

hpacmag.com

Photo TOTO

British Columbia has pushed the highefficiency toilet (HET) and urinal (HEU) requirements in the BC Building Code to October 3, 2011. The one-year delay is expected to allow suppliers to reduce existing inventory and bring in new stock. At that time HETs or dualflush toilets will be required in new residential buildings or when renovations involving plumbing fixtures occur.

Whenever urinals are installed, HEUs will be required. On average, high-efficiency toilets use at least 20 per cent less water than the 6-litre models that are currently required in B.C. According to recent research (cuwcc.org/resourcecenter/products/toilet-fixtures/drainline-studies.aspx), HETs have no difficulty meeting the waste transport require-

Here’s an Easy One for You.

Easy-to-install, easy-to-use electronic controls for smaller commercial buildings and larger residential properties.

Taco is legendary with installers and clients alike for its emphasis on user-friendliness.

The Taco iWorX electronic control system is a perfect example. Designed specifically for buildings less than 50,000 sq. ft. in size, iWorX offers all the sophisticated controls usually reserved for large building automation systems.

It’s capable of controlling all types of HVAC heating, cooling and hydronics – plus lighting and security. Yet installation is straightforward. There’s no software to configure and a simple 24V, 2-wire LON network connects factory pre-programmed control modules.

Clients also benefit from iWorX Windows-based, firmware-driven platform that’s managed by either a central touch-screen or any remote web-enabled device or PC. Plus there’s no need to purchase extra service contracts and no new software to learn.

For a highly capable control system that’s inexpensive, easy to install and even easier to live with, Taco iWorX is the one to have.

TACO CANADA LTD. 8450 Lawson Road, Milton, ON L9T 0J8 Tel. 905-564-9422 Fax. 905-564-9436 www.taco-hvac.com

< Industry News

continued from page 6

EPA Recognizes CSA international

ISH Presents New Products And State Of The Art Technology Energy saving and comfort in buildings will be one of the main themes at ISH – The World’s Leading Trade Fair for The Bathroom Experience, Building Services, Energy, Air Conditioning Technology and Renewable Energies – in Frankfurt am Main from March 15-19, 2011. The ISH Energy section presents the entire spectrum of innovative building-services technology while air-conditioning, cooling and ventilation technology will be on show under the name Aircontec. ish.messefrankfurt.com

Making The Case For Efficiency Initiatives A report titled Improving Energy Efficiency for Alberta’s Industrial and Manufacturing Sectors clarifies current industrial energy use and practices. It also provides companies with essential information to make the business case for energy efficiency initiatives. Commissioned by the Government of Alberta, the report was created by CME Alberta in association with Stantec Consulting and Marbek.

The study assessed the Alberta manufacturing industry, which was categorized into 10 manufacturing subsectors: food, pulp and paper, petroleum and coal products, chemicals and fertilizers, plastic and rubber products, primary metal, fabricated metal, machinery and transportation equipment, and other.

The report identified technical best practices (TBP) and energy management best practices (MBP). The study found that most of the plants have implemented less than 42 per cent of applicable TBPs, with compressed-air systems having the highest rate of implementation. Overall, 75 per cent of facilities have implemented less than 37 per cent of the MBPs. Large plants have implemented close to 20 per cent more MBPs than small to medium-sized plants. productivityalberta.ca 8

HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

CSA International, a division of the CSA Group, has received recognition by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Certification Body under the enhanced ENERGY STAR program. Under this recognition, CSA International is able to qualify and verify that products meet ENERGY STAR requirements by testing them in its EPA recognized laboratories, by witness or supervised testing at manufacturers’ labs, or by verifying testing data from other EPA recognized independent third-party laboratories.

As a Certification Body, CSA International will confirm a manufacturer’s compliance with ENERGY STAR requirements and upload the data required for EPA to authorize the use of the ENERGY STAR mark by a specific manufacturer for a specific product. To accommodate the increasing need from manufacturers for energy efficiency verification services, CSA will double its testing capacity across its laboratories.

In November 2009, the EPA announced that the ENERGY STAR program was to require third-party testing of all eligible products starting in 2011. Previously, the program allowed companies to self-declare their compliance with ENERGY STAR requirements.

The CSA Group recently announced “a new operational structure designed to accelerate CSA Group’s growth into expanding global markets while offering more efficient customer service.” Randy W. Luecke, president, CSA International and OnSpeX, is retiring from CSA Group.

Glenn Tubrett assumes the role of vice president – Canada.

Sue Dempsey continues her leadership and direction as vice president and general manager of OnSpeX. CSA Group North American will be led by Hélène Vaillancourt, executive vice president, engineering and science. csa.ca

CSA Group, recently unveiled its energy-efficient, $14-million headquarters at its refurbished location on Rexdale Boulevard in Toronto, ON, where it has operated since 1954. The building was rebuilt in many areas to incorporate state-of-the-art energyefficient systems and construction, while at the same time reusing much of the original infrastructure. The renovation expands the facility to 252,000 square feet. It incorporates photovoltaic solar panels, a solar hot water tank and a wind turbine as an alternative source of energy.

continued on page 10 hpacmag.com

Who Says You Can’t Please Everyone?

Fujitsu’s new Hybrid Flex Inverter line provides individual comfort to up to 8 zones at once.

Let’s face it, one temperature does not please all, which is why Fujitsu’s new line of Halcyon Hybrid Flex Inverter (HFI) models allows up to 8 indoor units to be connected to one outdoor unit, providing 8 individual zones of heating or cooling.

• • • • •

Up to 17 SEER energy efficient operation lowers utility bills Flare connections make HFI models easier to install One Group Remote Control can control all 8 zones Long piping lengths of up to 230 feet increase installation options Inverter technology regulates the compressor speed to its optimum energy usage, producing higher refrigerant performance with less power consumption

With Fujitsu’s line of Halcyon Hybrid Flex Inverter systems, you really CAN please everyone.

To find out how you can please everyone and how to become a Halcyon Dealer visit

www.fujitsugeneral.com

< Industry News

continued from page 8

Following a resounding public backlash against eco fees, Ontario’s Minister of Environment has confirmed that the government would be taking a different approach to dealing with municipal hazardous waste. According to the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), the new approach has not been clearly laid out. The government has eliminated the previous requirement under the Municipal Hazardous and Special Waste (MHSW) regulations that Extended Producer Responsibility Programs must be funded directly by the industries that produced the products named under the regulations.

One of the hazardous wastes originally named in the regulations was mercury and mercury-containing thermostats.

HRAI has sponsored a program known as Switch The Stat that covers the collection, shipment, and safe destruction of mercury thermostats for four years.

Under the old regulations, which came into effect for mercury-containing devices and a range of other products on July 1, 2010, all costs related to the collection of thermo-

10

HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

stats were to be borne by the manufacturers and importers whose brand has appeared on thermostats containing mercury at any time in the past. HRAI has been slowly bringing these stewards on board as funding partners in the program, which became the first Industry Stewardship Program (ISP) approved by governing body Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO). This approval meant that industry could manage its program independently (and at a lower cost to stakeholders) than the default alternative, which would have been a program under “Stewardship Ontario.”

HRAI vice president Martin Luymes recently met with the Ontario Minister of Energy staff, to discuss the impact of the decision to eliminate the funding requirement on HRAI’s ISP. Ministry staff confirmed that the decision would let

hpacmag.com

Photos Istockphoto

Thermostat Recovery Program To Continue

industry stewardship programs like these “off the hook.”

The Ministry was asked to provide some “consideration” to HRAI, such as an opportunity to advise on what the new legislation should look like and possibly some compensation for the financial burden experienced due to the rules imposed by Waste Diversion Ontario.

Key funders of the Thermostat Recovery Program have agreed to continue funding the program on a slightly scaled down version. The committee recognized that replacement legislation is sure to come. They also understood that the HRAI program is now national in scope. It has been approved as a program to meet recently introduced waste diversion objectives in British Columbia and is awaiting similar approvals in Manitoba. Other provinces and territories are expected to introduce extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation in the next year or so and it is hoped that HRAI’s program will satisfy the requirements in all provinces as they come into being.

For more information, contact Martin Luymes at tel. 800267-2231, ext. 235 or e-mail mluymes@hrai.ca.

20610_eF_Canada_HALFPG.qxd 11/24/10 10:25 AM Page 1

SOFTWARE SIMPLIFIES ANALYSIS The RETScreen Software Energy Efficient Arena & Supermarket Project Model for assessing the viability of energy efficient arena and supermarket projects has been released by Natural Resources Canada. This decision-support tool, which can evaluate advanced refrigeration systems and other energy efficiency measures, can be downloaded from the RETScreen website under the Arenas & Supermarkets section. retscreen.net/ang/arenas_supermarkets.php continued on page 12

The Ultra-Efficient, Ultra-Flexible, Ultra-Green eF Series® from Bradford White

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Eco-Friendly eF models offer remarkable efficiency ratings - as high as 99.1%! The newest version, a 100 - gallon, 399,999 BTU/Hr powerhouse, gives you the highest output so far - 521 gallons of hot water in the first hour of use! eF installers will benefit from extremely versatile venting options. These flexible water heaters can be vented vertically or horizontally and are approved for unbalanced, direct vent closed combustion applications. Just as importantly, building occupants will appreciate the Ultra-quiet operation of all eF Series models.

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hpacmag.com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 | HPAC

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< Industry News

continued from page 11

Pioneering Heat And Power BIOMASS GASIFICATION System At UBC The University of British Columbia (UBC) is installing a biomass-fuelled combined heat and power (CHP) system at its Vancouver campus. The biomass gasification system will convert 25,000 tonnes (t) of wood residuals into clean synthetic gas annually. The locally sourced waste wood will come from landfill diversion, municipal and commercial pruning, land clearing, clean construction sites, sawmills and wood manufacturers.

The “syngas” will power an internal combustion engine to produce two megawatts (MW) of clean electricity – enough to replace up to six per cent of the average energy demand on campus. Waste heat recovered from the engine will produce 9,000 pounds/hour of low-pressure steam for heating systems. Overall, the CHP system will reduce the university’s natural gas consumption by up to 12 per cent and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 4,000 t per year.

UBC is also collaborating with FPInnovations to house the CHP system in a new building constructed using cross-lami-

nated timber (CLT). CLT is a new building material made of solid wood that can be used as a low carbon, renewable alternative to steel frame construction. This building will be one of the first CLT buildings in North America and will demonstrate its market potential for the forest industry.

The total cost of the UBC Bioenergy Research and Demonstration project is approximately $26 million.

Construction is expected to be complete in late 2011. nexterra.ca/news/100215_QA.html

Commercial And Institutional Energy Use Survey Underway A national survey of commercial and institutional energy use is underway, from November 2010 to March 2011.

Statistics Canada is conducting the survey on behalf of NRCan and Environment Canada. The survey will be done by in-person interviews across Canada. The new unified Survey of Commercial and Institutional Energy Use (SCIEU) will cover both establishments in this sector and the buildings they occupy. Respondents are selected from a set

Unsurpassed Serviceability, First-Rate Performance in a Shorter, Smaller Package • Certified to NSF/ANSI 61-G (No Lead) • Shorter lay length – fits in smaller valve box • Top access to test cocks, shutoff valves, and check assembly – easy to test • Entire flow housing is removable to facilitate check access for cleaning or repair • Easy to winterize by removing wetted components between shutoff valves • Simple design – composite housing and check modules resist corrosion

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Zurn Industries Limited 3544 Nashua Drive, Mississauga, ON L4V 1L2 Phone: (905) 405-8272 Fax: (905) 405-1292 www.zurn.com • zurn.mail@zurncanada.com

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HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

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Every Moment Deserves Coleman Comfort!

list of businesses and institutions that occupy any of 10 building types as categorized by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. The results of the SCIEU survey are expected in 2011. http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca

Coleman offers a full including: Coleman HVAC HVAC products, withlineup a full lineup including:

Echelon Furnace

Enermodal Engineering Joins The MMM Group Enermodal Engineering has joined the MMM Group to form Canada’s largest consulting firm in the fields of sustainability and building commissioning.

“There is a real demand in the building sector for MMM’s and Enermodal services, from master planning to green buildings to commissioning,” said Bruce Bodden, president and CEO of MMM Group. “Enermodal is the leading player in green buildings in Canada. This move enhances our ability to offer our clients the full range of services and solutions demanded by the modern market: low-energy and low-impact buildings, communities and infrastructure.”

“We’ve always respected MMM as one of Canada’s engineering leaders and we have had a very successful relationship on many green projects—we like the way that MMM has always been willing to lead the way in better engineering practise on green buildings. We are excited to leverage our shared resources and building expertise to offer more services to a broader range of clients and locations,” said Stephen Carpenter, president of Enermodal Engineering.

Established 30 years ago, Enermodal today has a staff of over 100 people. For two years running, Enermodal has been named one of North America’s fastest growing A/E firms. This year, Enermodal was named in the Globe and Mail as one of Canada’s greenest companies.

Founded in 1952 and with a current staff complement of 2,000, MMM Group provides consulting services in the buildings, infrastructure and environment, transportation and geomatics sectors, both nationally and internationally.

Enermodal and MMM Group are already working together on two of the largest public-private partnership (P3) projects in Canada.

Carpenter will continue as president of Enermodal, which will maintain the current office locations, its name, green mission and current service offerings. enermodal.com | mmm.ca

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continued on page 14 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 | HPAC

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< INDUSTRY NEWS

continued from page 13

GREENWASHING ON THE SLIDE

Greenwashing: Home and Family Edition. TerraChoice visMore than 95 per cent of consumer products marketed ited 19 stores in Canada and 15 in the U.S. from March to as “green,” including all toys surveyed, make misleadMay and surveyed 5,296 products that make environmening or inaccurate claims, says a report from TerraChoice tal claims. The report also found: Environmental Marketing, an Ottawa-based marketing firm, • A small but rising share of products make accurate which is part of Underwriters Laboratory of Canada. green claims-- 4.5 per cent this year, up from two per The number of products claiming to be green increased cent in 2009 and one per cent in 2007, when the 73 per cent since 2009, according to The Sins of first survey was done.

• “Big box” retailers are more apt to sell products with accurate claims than boutique stores. They may have more influence on their suppliers, Case says.

• Products such as building materials and office goods that have more experience in the green marketplace The SinS of GreenwaShinG make fewer misleading claims than that those such home and family ediTion 2010 as toys and baby products that are new to it.

The report finds that 30.9 per cent of the products surveyed had fake labels, whereas 67.3 per cent had vague claims and 70.1 per cent made claims without proof. It notes there are many legitimate thirdparty green certifiers.

FLIR bSeries - HPAC Sep08:3.375x4.875 9/8/08 4:55 PM P sinsofgreenwashing.org <> HPGSales_HPAC 11/24/2010 1:56 PM Page 1 A report on environmentAl clAims mAde

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< hvac

A Whole New

Venting World

Making the leap to sidewall venting using plastic pipe sounded so easy, but experienced HVAC contractors knew better. The everyday slide-out/slide-in simple residential retrofits are gone forever. BY Ian McTeer

A

TIP

t this writing, the winter of 2010/11 is fast approaching. Distributor and HVAC contractor warehouses are being quickly depleted of the last legal mid-efficiency gas furnaces stockpiled to beat the 90 per cent AFUE phase-in earlier this year. Just think, no more worries about sizing vent connectors, no more Table “C” DP (F+N) calculations, no more Annex C. Of course you know it cannot be that easy.

Residential HVAC contractors will be quotDevelop a venting plan when ing some residential jobs at considerably higher quoting the job. If necessary, prices simply because finding an adequate ask your installers for advice method of installing plastic horizontal venting beforehand. Simply loading the truck up at installation time with systems will be difficult. Some townhomes, pipe and elbows, then having semi-detached, zero lot line and other housat ’er on the job often leads to ing designs simply have no easy way to run callbacks. and to terminate a plastic venting system.

Venting options are restricted by numerous rules: fuel distributors have rules; This mock-up shows a provincial authorities have rules; and mantermination snorkel with ufacturers have rules about how and where an insulated vent and pipes can run and how the vent should be properly configured inlet. terminated.

It has been over 25 years since I first “solvent welded” my first venting system together. I thought we learned then how things like vents with too many elbows, or piping sloped towards the outside wall, would cause service calls. I was wrong: I still see far too many of these installation errors today.

A short section of vent pipe with no slope can accumulate enough water to cause the furnace pressure switch to open. An improperly installed vent termi16

HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMber 2010

Photo Istockphoto

SAME OLD, SAME OLD

GALLERY VENTING REALITIES nal can fill with water and freeze or re-circulate flue gas to the inlet elbow thus freezing it to the point where the furnace shuts down, or rust the burners leading to service interruptions. Often, in such situations, the first thing that happens is the furnace pressure switch gets replaced. Trust me, landfill sites are well stocked with perfectly good pressure switches.

TERMINATING THE VENT

Outside, the method used to terminate the venting system is a crucial step in providing reliable operation every heating season. Installers MUST follow the furnace manufacturer’s installation instructions and all local continued on page 18 I recognize the reasons why this

CHALLENGES

termination looks like that (windows too

The contractor must find the best available route to get the plastic pipes to the

close, building air inlets, etc.), however, the

termination point. Some houses will present several challenges:

inlets are improperly terminated and the

•

The basement may be completely finished. Do not be tempted to push the

vents are not well insulated because the

pipes through an open joist space from the outside. Remember the pipe must

base elbows are exposed. The industry

be sloped and supported.

needs a decorative, insulated termination

Pipes running below the ceiling will create a loss of headroom, requiring

box to help contractors avoid building

obtrusive bulkheads and extra finishing costs that may be unacceptable to the

such eyesores.

•

homeowner.

•

Running a vertical vent through the house and out the roof may be an option: check your manufacturer’s installer’s guide. Firestops and pipe support at each floor will likely be required along with a chase that will have to be finished off to suit the homeowner. You cannot run a vent pipe through a closet without protection and support.

•

The vertical route should not be considered in areas where large amounts of snow collect on the roof. Typically vertical vents should not terminate more

•

This is an example of a seat-of-the-pants

than 24" above the roof line. Large snowfalls will simply bury the terminal shut-

termination. This does not conform to any

ting off the furnace and I doubt anyone wants to climb up there in January.

manufacturers’ installation instructions

An unused masonry chimney can be used, again check your installer’s guide

and there is no guarantee it will work

and find out if the local enforcing agency has anything to say about this prac-

properly. A kit may have been more

tice. The vent should be insulated with armaflex. Venting system piping MUST

effective, although it is very close to an

be mechanically supported at the top to prevent sagging and to protect the

inside corner and dryer vent.

base elbow from damage due to the weight of the vertical portion.

•

Consider using indoor air for combustion only as a last case scenario. Check your installer’s guide carefully.You will likely have to be sure there is at least 50 ft3 per 1,000K Btuh of free area from which all the gas fired appliances in the space derive their combustion air. For example, if the application has several gas fired appliances with a total input of 140K Btuh, there must be at least 7,000 cubic feet of completely open space, otherwise air from outside will be required.

•

Check your furnace installer’s guide carefully–you may be able to run vent

Inlet elbow must not terminate in front of the

pipes and inlet piping to different termination locations. For example, you

vent. Vents longer than 12" should be insulated.

might be able to run the vent up an unused chimney while taking the combus-

Flue products may damage brickwork.

tion air from the sidewall.

hpacmag.com

Gallery continues on page 20

NOVember/DECEMber 2010 | HPAC

17

< hvac

continued from page 17

RULES A RESIDENTIAL HVAC CONTRACTOR MUST FOLLOW: • • •

•

•

•

The venting system must be designed and installed in accordance with the furnace manufacturer’s installer’s guide.

The venting system must not be overlength for the material size selected and the number of elbows used. The manufacturer’s instructions are unequivocal here.

The venting system must be properly supported; typically every three feet using metal pipe strap that is anchored to a solid construction member of the building. Hanging a venting system from duct work is not acceptable.

The vent pipe must slope downhill toward the furnace typically ¼" per foot.

That means a 20' long vent system must have the furnace end of the pipe 5" lower than the termination end.

The outside vent terminal must be constructed properly with due consideration for the gas code and other things, such as accumulated snow level, adjacent buildings, human and vehicular traffic.

The vent must be stress relieved – do not run 20' of horizontal pipe with only one 90º elbow in the system. Too much torque on the vent motor can cause vibration, water leaks and premature failure.

Consider using an approved termination kit available from many wholesalers. Termination kits must be installed exactly as shown; they cannot be snorkeled or extended beyond the original design.

codes. The trouble is this: it is often difficult to satisfy all the codes and instructions. Add to that the fact that some homeowners absolutely hate the look of whatever termination you have installed.

I know several contractors who use terminal mock-ups to provide a potential customer with a heads-up on what the vent terminal will look like, but even then some customers are dissatisfied after the job is done. Janice Bradbeer, a Toronto Star editor, wrote an entire column about her furnace vent terminal (Toronto Star, January 31, 2009) calling the terminal an eyesore, among other things.

What is a contractor to do? Certainly the sales person should plan out the best possible route for the installer after a complete consultation with the end user. Take photographs, even a video and bring them back to the office for the installation crew to see. If continued on page 20

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HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMber 2010

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continued from page 18

your furnace manufacturer allows the use of third-party termination kits, consider using one because they typically look better than hand-built terminations.

Sales people should ask about snow accumulation, inside or outside corners and high traffic areas. The gas code requires condensing gas furnace vents (special vents) to terminate 12" above grade; however, manufacturer’s installation continued on page 22

This termination is lower than the “12" above accumulated snow level” requirement although it is possible the homeowner caused a change to the grade level while landscaping the side of the house. Water

the power of

3

heater termination is an exceptional eyesore. This kind of terminal tends to get buried causing no heat calls. Techs: trudge around the side of the house and look for this kind of common service problem.

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recirculation but this design creates other problems.

Vent piping was sloped towards the outside causing the first elbow of the termination snorkel to fill with water. It is just no fun fixing this type of common

For E3Point product details and specifications, call 1-800-538-0363 or visit E3Point.com © 2010 Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

error in January. When installing a venting system in July pretend it is January.

Gallery continues on page 22

20

HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMber 2010

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continued from page 20

“What our industry needs is an easily installed, insulated and decorative sidewall gas furnace vent The duct work is not an acceptable place to affix vent system hangers.

The termination inlet is partially buried in snow and the vent must be insulated. The entire termination needs to be reconfigured.

”

termination, and a low price would be appreciated too.

instructions often insist the terminal be 12" above the highest anticipated snow level. According to Environment Canada’s accumulated data from 19712000 (Climate Normals), Ottawa can expect an average snow depth of 10" in January, Toronto 3", Edmonton 7.5", Winnipeg 7". Thus Ottawa area vents should terminate 22" above grade. That is going to be an ugly vent. And, the vent will have to be insulated – this is crucial. With that very exposed vent, condensate freezing in the base elbow is likely without effective insulation.

An unremarkable U.S. vice president once quipped, “What this country needs is a good five-cent cigar.” I am sure there have always been more pressing worries for any country to consider, but borrowing on his theme I say, “What our industry needs is an easily installed, insulated, and decorative sidewall gas furnace vent termination, and a low price would be appreciated too.” Vent pipe manufacturers have neglected the need for practical terminations after the industry was forced to move to certified pipe.

NO HEAT SERVICE CALLS

Again, inlet terminates in front of the vent.

Inlet elbow should be turned 90 degrees.

Use of screens may or may not be recommended (local experience dictates).

Horizontal plastic venting systems can put a lot of torque on the furnace draft inducer creating noise, vibration, and possible premature failure. By offsetting the vent

A service call generated by a pressure switch error must include an inspection of the vent terminal and the venting system. Is the vent terminal buried in snow, frozen solid, covered up by the inflatable swimming pool, full of stones/ toy cars/tennis balls/critters? The service tech should then look at the vent pipe to be sure the reverse slope is maintained for the ENTIRE length of the system. Have a look at the furnace fault code reporting system but do not make any adjustments or repairs until the vent termination and vent pipe system have been carefully inspected.

Benjamin Franklin, the American politician and philosopher wrote in “Poor Richards Almanac” in 1758 that, “…for want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost.”

Ignoring seemingly small things has a way of escalating into large problems: for want of ¼" slope, the heating system was lost.

Let’s not forget why the government moved our industry to 90 per cent AFUE; we must do something to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. If you add up the wasted energy generated by the service vehicle to fix a problem that should not have occurred and add it to the energy budget of the furnace involved, the GHGs will be out of line for that furnace forever. Higher technology demands greater precision from all of us so we must do better to be sure an otherwise acceptable installation is not compromised by errors, large or small. <>

and using a 90 and a 45 degree elbow the draft inducer outlet is stress relieved. The vent pipe must have one support as close to the furnace as possible.

22

HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMber 2010

Ian McTeer is a Field Service Representative with Trane Canada DSO. He can be reached at 416-494-2855 or by e-mail at IMcteer@trane.com. hpacmag.com

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< PLUMBING

W

hen Benjamin Franklin came up with this little gem: “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” I am not sure what he was referring to when he coined the phrase, but I can imagine a great many examples in every sphere of life where it rings true. In the plumbing world alone there countless examples, but in the interests of meeting my deadline (barely), let me focus on just one, the simple backwater valve.

A backwater valve is a device that can be installed in a main sewer line to prevent sewage from backing up into the basement. The valve automatically closes if sewage backs up from the main sewer, preventing the back up from flooding the basement. A properly installed backwater valve must be placed in the main drain just before it leaves the house, downstream of all other connections so that sewage backup will be stopped and not come out through other outlets in your basement, such as floor drains, toilets, showers and laundry tubs.

There are several types of backwater valves but they are all basically check valves for the drain, allowing water and waste to flow one way but not the other. The main difference would be in whether they are normally closed, or normally open. A normally closed backwater valve is most like the swing check type valve you would see in many plumbing and heating piping applications. The more effective valve in a drainage system is the normally open type.

A normally open backwater valve has a stop gate that only lifts and closes in the event of reversal of flow. The normally open valve is less prone to catching debris and clogging up, it can allow a drain cable to pass and be retrieved, and it allows the building drain and vent system to ventilate the municipal sewers. All of these benefits make the normally open type the best choice for a backwater valve. It is the ounce of cure for an all too common occurrence that can be so easily and prevented relatively inexpensively.

24

HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

BY STEVE GOLDIE

Anyone who has ever experienced a flooded basement due to a sewage back up knows all too well the destruction and mess that is left behind. I have been fortunate enough to have avoided this particular trial personally, but as a plumber I have seen my share of basement disasters.

I was travelling recently in eastern Ontario with the leating specialist from our Cornwall branch, Kelly Cameron. We had spent the day visiting several projects that Kelly had been working on and it was just about time to go enjoy a nice dinner and perhaps one or two cold drinks, a nice reward after a long day's work. Before we could put this plan into action however, Kelly received a phone call from his panicked better half telling him their basement was flooding and he needed to get home pronto.

Now I guess I had a choice, after all it was not my basement that was flooding. I could have gone on to dinner alone and left Kelly to the mess, or I could go with him and lend a helping hand. So off we went, and believe me, the fact that I had left my car at the branch and Kelly was my ride had nothing to do with my decision what so ever. I could have easily walked a few miles to get my car even if it did happen to be in the middle of the heaviest rainstorm since Noah sailed his ark, but I digress.

When we arrived at Kelly’s house it was not pretty. The rain that had been falling all day long, the same rain that had nothing to do with my decision making, had everything to do with the lake that was now taking residence in the basement. At six inches and rising, it was already deep enough to have flooded out the burner in the gas water heater and the gas furnace was just inches away from suffering a similar fate.

We dove in and rescued as many things as we could, stereo speakers, video game consoles – anything that was small enough to move was air lifted to higher ground, but continued on page 26 HPACMAG.COM

Photos Istockphoto

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continued from page 24

plumbing >

sadly there were quite a number its own level. The only positive thing of casualties. Worst of all was the I could say was that in this inciteenage son’s room. Anyone who dence the water was mostly clean, has a teenage son knows that clear rainwater. There was very little regardless of how many shelves or no sewage waste evident. This are on the wall, everything, includis not always the case however as ing clothes, DVDs, books (for the many basement floods do result in few who read) ends up on the the basement being filled with raw, floor. Suffice to say there was stinking bacterial filled sewage.

Back ups most often result in significant cleanup costs. much carnage.

The backwater valves that can Now there are different types of sewer back ups and difavoid this mess sell for a list price of just two or three hunferent causes. Most houses built in the past 30 or 40 years dred dollars and can be installed for a relatively low cost. have separate storm and sanitary sewers. The sanitary, or Many municipalities have subsidy programs that make sewage drain does not have rainwater discharging into it at them even more affordable. The city of Toronto’s program all. Back ups in these drains are typically caused by blockoffers an 80 per cent subsidy up to a maximum of $1,800, ages from roots or broken drains. The separate storm sewfor example. Good value indeed when you consider the posers take all rainwater and from downspouts and weeping sible consequences of not having one. drains directly to a main storm sewer. Storm drains do not Whether the back up is mostly rainwater or sewage, the typically have terminations that open inside a home, so damage can be extensive and will often result in significant there is no risk of a storm sewer back up flooding out a financial costs. Drywall has to be removed and replaced; basement where there are separate sewers. even wood framing should be replaced, especially if there is In Kelly’s case the city sewer was a combined sewer hansignificant sewage contamination. Flooring material needs dling both the sewage drains from the individual homes, as to be totally removed and replaced. Water heaters, boilers well as the storm rainwater. The flood in the basement was and furnaces are all susceptible if the water levels get high not the result of a blockage but rather overloading. The rain enough as was the case in Kelly’s house. that day was so heavy and prolonged that the sewer mains Did I mention that Kelly’s flood happened to his newly fincould not handle the volume and so the water level kept risished basement? This is something I cannot explain (call ing right into every basement on the street, well at least every it a variant of Murphy’s Law) but if your sewer is going to basement that did not have a backwater valve installed. back up and flood your basement, chances are it is going At Kelly’s house, we set up a couple of submersible to happen shortly after you have renovated or finished that pumps to pump the water out the house and down the same basement. driveway. The pumping effort was mostly a psychological You could live in the same house with a bone dry, unfinhelp as it really does not do much in a case like this, it ished basement for 20 years. Within a few months of spendis like trying to pump out a lake, the water just returns to ing thousands on that dream entertainment room with the big flat screen TV on the wall, the bar with a draft keg and the plush leather theatre recliners – that is when you are going to experience your first ever flooded basement.

Is Basement Flooding a Common Problem?

Contractors looking for a new business should educate Basement flooding is unfortunately a common occurtheir customers and make sure they understand the value rence in many parts of Canada. Basement flooding of an ounce of prevention before they have to pay for price related insurance claims in Canada are estimated to for the cure. <> be in the order of $140 million per year based on a multi-year average.

Steve Goldie worked as a plumbing and heating This represents an average of approximately 30,000 contractor for almost 20 years before joining to 40,000 incidents per year, with an average cost of Noble Trade as manager of the heating departdamages per flooding incident between $3,000 and ment. In his current position Goldie focuses on $5,000. Many cases of basement flooding are not product specification and system design solureported. cmhc-schl.gc.ca tions. He can be reached at stevegoldie@nobletrade.ca.

26

HPAC | NOVember/DECEMber 2010

hpacmag.com

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A Second Chance For 30 years my home has been a personal laboratory where I could test HVAC devices and techniques to my heart's content. BY JOHN SIEGENTHALER

O

ne of the fringe benefits of being in any trade is early exposure to many of the devices coming to into the market. If you are like me, you probably surmise how many of these devices would work in your own house. You probably form an opinion on them based on the following: • Do they make sense technically?

• Are they built to last?

• Are they serviceable?

• Are they efficient?

I know several comfort professionals with very unique combinations of heating hardware in their own homes and places of business. They have acquired this hardware and are running their own tests to see how well it performs before using it in their customers' buildings. I really respect this approach.

It points to a self-responsibility for what they offer to their customers, as well as an open mind to all things new. It also demonstrates experience that understands how some products do not shine as brightly in the field as they do in advertisements and promotional materials.

A PERSONAL LABORATORY My wife Joyce and I built our house in 1980. It was a long process because we did much of the work ourselves. Anyone who has ever lived in a house as it was being constructed can tell you it makes for some challenging experiences.

You get used to living with dust, rain tarps, temporary lighting and the smell of various adhesives and paint. You learn how to wash dishes in the bathroom sink, because it is the only source of running water.

28

HPAC | NOVember/DECEMber 2010

Joyce envisioned this house as a nest in which to raise children, decorate with lacy curtains and cook great meals.

I saw it as my personal laboratory for experiments in home energy systems, including superinsulation, air-to-air heat recovery, wood burning, solar and wind energy harvesting and waste heat recovery.

Being the gracious and supportive wife she is, Joyce indulged me through many years of such experiments. She would call me when there was a “funny noise” coming from the mechanical room and occasionally reminded me to write a manual on how the system operates in case we ever sold the house. That manual is still on the to-do list.

Although our primary means of heating the house has changed several times over the last 30 years, the fundamental objectives of energy conservation, gathering “free” energy and using hydronic heat delivery have always been part of the mix.

Our original means of heating the home in the snowy, 8,000 degree day climate of upstate New York, included three subsystems: • Passive solar gain through 395 sq. ft. of southfacing windows.

• 112 sq. ft. of flat plate solar collectors.

• An airtight wood stove.

The latter was for “supplemental” heat, just in case the sun did not shine as brightly as expected after all of the pricey solar hardware was installed.

When we started building our home I worked for a company named Revere Solar & Architectural Products. This company was a division of Revere Copper and Brass, and manufactured flat plate solar collectors. Our house obvihpacmag.com

Figure 1 The 1980 vintage solar combisystem.

3/4" copper, minimum of 1/4" per foot slope

6 Revere 35"x77" Sun-Aid collectors cold water

DHW

water level sight glass

heating element

collector circulators

two, 60 ft coils of 1/2" copper tubing in parallel DHW heat exchanger

350 gallon 12 ft tall storage tank (30 psi rated)

line voltage thermostat

30 gal DHW tank

mixing valve 3/8" copper radiant floor circuits with balancing valves

ously had to include some of those collectors. I settled on six, 35-inch by 77-inch collectors with specially sloped internal headers, as shown in Figure 1. The collectors face directly south and are sloped 60º from the horizontal.

The solar system was designed as a closed-loop drainback design. I felt this approach held many advantages at the time and I still believe it is the best approach for solar combisystems that provide space heating and domestic hot water. This system has been through many winter nights with temperatures of -25F, and the drainback operation has never failed me. Those 30-year-old collectors are still up on the roof and working, albeit at a somewhat decreased efficiency.

We suspended two 60-foot coils of 1/2" copper tubing, piped in parallel, from the access plate at the top of the tank. They preheat domestic water whenever hot water is hpacmag.com

drawn from a fixture. Over the years I have been very pleased with the performance of this homemade heat exchanger. Although it is possible to access it by opening the top of the tank, I have never had to do so and do not plan to as long everything keeps working as it has.

When the tank was warm, space heating is provided by circulating water through 3/8" soft-temper copper tubing embedded in a thin masonry layer installed over the standard subfloor. PEX tubing was not available in North America at the time.

Interestingly, Revere Copper and Brass was one of the industry leaders in using copper tubing for radiant panel heating back in the 1940s and 1950s. So I designed the system using some of the older technical manuals they produced. Everything was soldered together and still is. We installed a manually adjusted mixing valve in case the water in the tank was too warm to go directly to the floor circuits.

MOVING ALONG By the late-1980s we were ready to add an automatic heat source to the system so we did not have to kindle up the wood stove every cloudy winter morning. At the time, our local utility was offering rebates to help “seed” the market for ground source heat pump systems. We took advantage of this program and in 1987 I installed a small (18,000 Btuh rated) water-towater ground source heat pump.

The heat pump performed well, but after a few more years we decided it was time to add some heat in the garage. The heat pump just did not have the output to handle this additional load, so we moved it and installed an oil-fired, castiron boiler. The heat pump still remains, but it is now used only for chilled water cooling, a task it handles very well.

Figure 2 shows how our heating/cooling system was last modified about nine years ago. Injection mixing and primary/secondary piping were the cutting edge technologies at that time, so naturally they had to be worked into the mix. You will notice that there is an extra set of closely spaced tees on the primary loop waiting for some future experiments. continued on page 30 NOVEmber/DECEMber 2010 | HPAC

29

continued from page 29 6 Revere 35"x77" Sun-Aid collectors cold water

Figure 2

TECHNOLOGY MARCHES ON water level sight glass

6 Revere 35"x77" Sun-Aid collectors

water level sight glass

heating element

350 gallon 12 ft tall storage tank (30 psi rated)

30 gal DHW tank

fibreglass insulation

two, 60 ft coils of 1/2" copper tubing in parallel DHW heat exchanger

line voltage thermostat

3/8" copper radiant floor circuits with balancing valves

oil-fired cast-iron boiler

mixing valve

future expansion VS injection pump

VS injection pump

garage floor heating

reversing valve

evaporator

rigid foam insulation 15 psi rated pressure relief valve

ceiling mounted chilled water air handler with drip pan

compressor

cold water

collector circulators (close-coupled in series)

1/2" steel plate removable cover air inlet tee horizontal distributor tee (to maintain tank stratification) DHW

Overall, I have been pleased with how this system has evolved and performed over the years. It has heating line voltage element taught me many things that probably thermostat would have been difficult, embarrassing, or expensive to learn otherwise.

DHW tank 3/8" copper Still, ofgalhydronics evolution has pro30 years 30 two, 60 ft radiant floor circuits coils of 1/2" duced some interesting options thatwith simply were not balancing valves copper tubing in parallelwhen mixing available we built the core of our heating sysDHW heat valve tem.exchanger There are definitely some aspects of this building and heating system I would do again. Likewise, 350 gallon there are 12 ft tall things I would definitely do differently. storage tank future Here are my current thoughts on howinjection IVSwouldgarage expansion (30 psi rated) floor pump heating design and heat a new VS house if I were to do it all injection over again. pump 1. First and foremost, I would build the house with rigid foam insulation 15 psi rated pressure thermal relief valve envelope. We did this in a super-insulated 1980 using double 2x4 exterior walls containing 10.5 inches of fibreglass insulation. This yielded fibreglass insulation

3/4" copper headers, minimum of 1/4" per foot slope

collector circulators (close-coupled in series)

1/2" steel plate removable cover air inlet tee horizontal distributor tee (to maintain tank stratification) DHW

condenser

< hydronics

thermal expansion valve

water-to-water heat pump (shown in cooling mode)

oil-fired cast-iron boiler

two, 500 foot x 1" HDPE horizontal earth loops at 4 ft and 6 ft depths

continued on page 32 ceiling mounted chilled water air handler with drip pan

compressor condenser

evaporator

reversing valve

two, 500 foot x 1" HDPE horizontal earth loops at 4 ft and 6 ft depths

thermal expansion valve

water-to-water heat pump (shown in cooling mode)

HeatWeave® Electric Floor Warming

SubRay® Subfloor Radiant System

Radiant Heating and Potable Systems

Infrared image of a radiant heated home

Learn more at www.wattscanada.ca or call 1-800-268-4045

Watts-ModernHydronics.indd 1

30

HPAC | NOVember/DECEMber 2010

6/25/08 9:46:13 AM

hpacmag.com

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< hydronics

continued from page 30

walls with a nominal R-32 rating. Today I would use thinner wall framing with spray foam insulation to achieve an R-40 rating along with R-60 rated ceilings. I would also get the most energy efficient windows that I could afford, probably with an R-value up around 5. I suspect the design heat loss of a similar size (around 2,700 sq. ft.) new house would come in somewhere around 20,000 Btuh. A heat recovery ventilation system would be used to maintain good indoor air quality.

2. I would face the long side of the house between 15 and 30 degrees east of true south. The southerly side of the house would have windows totaling about eight per cent of the home’s total floor area. This would provide passive solar gains in the morning, while at the same time minimizing heat gain from afternoon sun in the summer.

Properly sized overhangs would also be used to minimize summer heat gain. Limiting the southerly window area to eight per cent recognizes that upstate New York is not a

very sunny place in winter. We originally installed south facing windows that totaled to 15 per cent of the home’s floor area. When the sun was out the temperature in the house would quickly climb into the 80s, even on very cold days.

By the next morning the house has dropped into the upper 50s due to the heat loss through all that glass. The lesson learned: There is such a thing as too much passive solar gain. Over the years we have reduced the south facing window area and installed higher quality glazing than what was available in 1980.

3. To keep things comfortable when the sun was not shining I would install low thermal mass panel radiators.

Each room would have its own panel radiator equipped with a thermostatic radiator valve. The latter would allow each room to adjust to varying heat gains or comfort settings.

The panel radiators would all be supplied by a simple home run distribution system using ½" PEX-AL-PEX and a single manifold station. A single ECM-based pressure regulated circulator with a peak electrical power demand of around 40 watts would power the entire distribution system.

5. The heat source would be a “tank type” device containing 80-119 gallons of water for high thermal mass.

This device would be very well insulated (minimum of three-inches of urethane foam insulation on all surfaces).

It would also have very low pressure drop characteristics.

The circulator input power required to move water through this heat source would only be one or two watts. There would be no need of a separate boiler circulator. The burner and internal heat exchanger would be modulating and compatible with condensing mode operation. The water temperature within the heat source would be controlled based on outdoor reset. The high thermal mass of the heat source would nicely buffer the highly zoned distribution system to avoid short cycles of the burner.

6. The tank type heat source would also serve as storage for a modest array of flat plate solar collectors (probably 100 to 130 square feet of collector area facing parallel with the building (15 to 30 degrees east of true south), and sloped at 60 degrees (latitude +15 degrees). The collector array would be designed for drainback freeze protection.

No antifreeze would be needed. The drainback air space at the top of the tank would also serve as the system’s expansion tank. continued on page 34

32

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HPAC | NOVember/DECEMber 2010

7/29/10 2:40:34 PM

hpacmag.com

< hydronics

continued from page 32

Figure 3

panel radiator

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thermostatic radiator valves on each panel radiator

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la r flow switch SS heat exchanger

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pressure relief valve air control valve

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TRV

so

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variable speed drainback circulator

integral mod/con burner / heat exchanger

variable speed pressure-regulated circulator w/ electronicallycommutated motor

storage tank

7. Domestic hot water would be produced “instantaneously” using a stainless steel brazed plate heat exchanger supplied by a very small, (nominal 10 watt) circulator controlled by a domestic hot water flow switch. This small circulator would move hot water from the top of the well-stratified storage tank through the heat exchanger whenever a hot water faucet opened. A similar strategy has been used in Europe for instantaneous domestic water heating for years. If this heat exchanger ever failed it could be serviced or replaced without having to open or replace the storage tank. I see this as a major advantage in comparison to what has to happen when a coil heat exchanger inside a large storage tank fails.

8. For cooling I would probably just get a couple of good quality window air conditioners. Where I live, cooling is only needed on four to eight mid-summer days.

It is hard for me to justify a central cooling system given this minimal usage.

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The schematic in Figure 3 is a close representation of these heating system concepts put together.

I suspect that my preferences as to what constitutes an optimal heating system for my own house will change in coming years. This will likely be the result of new products and more learning on my part. It is part of what makes this field so interesting and exciting – it is definitely about the journey rather than the destination. <>

John Siegenthaler, P.E. is the author of Modern Hydronic Heating.

The third edition of this book will be available in January 2011. Visit his website at hydronicpros.com for information on hydronic system design. He can be reached at siggy@dreamscape.com.

34

HPAC | NOVember/DECEMber 2010

hpacmag.com

geothermal >

A View Toward The Future The sessions were full and delegates kept the exhibitors busy at the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition’s 4th National GeoExchange Technical & Policy Forum in Montreal, QC on November 15-16. Nearly 200 delegates attended the event, which focused on regulations, market growth, design considerations, legal issues and the science of geothermal.

Sessions will be posted at geo-exchange.ca.

A panel of speakers, including Nancy Dalgard of BRC Mechanical and Glen Kaye of Maritime Geothermal, addressed the issue of market perspectives and barriers in the closing plenary session.

The world’s leading trade fair The Bathroom Experience, Building, Energy, Air-conditioning Technology, Renewable Energies

Frankfurt am Main, 15 – 19. 3. 2011

Looking to the future The ISH is the world’s largest industry forum for innovative bathroom design, sustainable sanitary solutions as well as for the use of building, energy and air-conditioning technologies in combination with renewable energies. Make sure you don’t miss out. Experience this unique showcase of high-tech and high-end design. www.ish.messefrankfurt.com info@canada.messefrankfurt.com Tel. 905-824-5017

HPAC contributor, Mike Miller of Uponor, discussed the integration of geothermal into hydronic systems. As a representative of the Canadian Hydronics Council (CHC), Miller also discussed the possibility of CGC working with CHC and the National Research Council (NRC).

In an impassioned presentation, Claude Barry, Rc Professionnelle Inc., addressed the issue of risk management. He noted that “risk has been placed on you that used to be elsewhere” when discussing the contributing factors to claims.

Barry noted that since 2001 “the number of third party claims in your sector has doubled (to 2009).”

Marc Belanger of Le Groupe Master, Grant Blackmore of Eden Energy Equipment and Denis Tanguay, CGC president, chat in the

Photos Andre Bernier

trade show area.

Exhibitors enjoyed steady traffic at the CGC forum. hpacmag.com

NOVEmber/DECEMber 2010 | HPAC

35

PRODUCTS HYDRONICS

Operating at 96.5 AFUE, Rinnai’s wallmounted boilers use condensing technology The SNO-0500 standalone snow-melt con-

to provide residential heat and hot water. The

Developed to suit a variety of applica-

trol from HBX Control Systems Inc. is capable

units recapture residual heat from flue gas-

tions, the Lochinvar fire tube Knight wall-

of running the system in addition to an injec-

es to pre-heat incoming ground water, which

mount boiler is available in seven models

tion pump or floating injection valve. Featur-

then circulates to a heat exchanger for ef-

with inputs from 55,000 to 399,000 Btuh.

ing optical snowfall sensing technology and

ficient heating of water and air. Both LP and

For high-demand applications, the boiler has

warm- and cold-weather shutdown functions,

natural gas units are available with inputs

a built-in cascading sequencer that allows up

this control is suitable for small scale

ranging from 75,000 to 205,000 Btu.

to eight units to be installed together.

projects. hbxcontrols.com

globalrinnai.com

lochinvar.com

With the ability to generate steam from a cold start in five minutes, the high-capacity LX-300 boiler from Miura features a ITT’s new bulletin provides a comprehensive summary of its Bell & Gos-

small footprint and zero side clearance. The unit is well suited

sett hydronic balancing products. Included in the bulletin is a balancing

for large scale facilities as well as district energy plants and

system selection guide, which allows users to identify the valves most

features load-matching capability for energy management.

suitable for their projects. balancevalves.com

miuraboiler.com

36

HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

hpacmag.com

PRODUCTS HYDRONICS >

Bryan

Steam’s

Flex

series

Tripleboilers

deliver a minimum 90 percent operating efficiency with 160 degree return, 180 degree supply

and

100

percent

firing load. Bryan Steam boilers are available in six- to 500 horsepower units for industrial, commercial

The Lochinvar/TiSUN commercial solar ther-

and institutional applications. bryanboilers.com

mal product offering includes panels, storage tanks, pumping stations and a range of accessories. The solar panels feature ser-

White-Rodgers’ 1300 series zone valves are

pentine heat transfer systems as well as a

available in two-wire and three-wire configura-

laser-welded absorber with PVD coating,

tions for zoning hydronic systems up to 50

while each pumping station is an all-in-one

PSI. The valves feature quiet operation and

unit complete with a differential solar control

low comparable friction loss.

with eight different system capabilities and

white-rodgers.com

Btu metering. lochinvar.com

The Most Experienced & Respected Name in Geothermal

Available in three different sizes: 1/2-inch, 3/4-inch and one-inch with sweat connections, with or without an end switch, the UP twoway zone valves from Grundfos features a 24-VAC, normally closed, motorized actuator. Available with or without a sealed auxiliary

With over two centuries of combined experience, GeoSmart has earned a solid reputation for our knowledge and expertise in the geothermal industry. We offer premium quality, cost-effective, energy efficient and renewable heating and cooling solutions for your home or business.

end switch, the actuator has an enlarged, coil-spring gear

For more information or to become a Geothermal Specialist:

transmission that can deliver 20 psi of close-off force at a flow rate

866.310.6690 GEOSMART ENERGY.COM

of 7.5 Cv. grundfos.us hpacmag.com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 | HPAC

37

< SUSTAINABILITY

Synergy Spells Success Interaction of sustainable technologies proves to be a recipe for savings at a Quebec microbrewery. BY LUc Boily

C

hoosing to implement energy efficient technologies and numerous efficiency measures has reduced Les Brasseurs du Nord's electricity consumption by 42 per cent over the last four years. Adopting sustainable technologies earned the microbrewery the grand prize in Hydro-Québec’s 2009 Energy Wise Competition of Excellence.

Located in Blainville, QC, it produces 8,000 hectolitres annually, or about one per cent of the beer produced in the province. Despite expanding its facility and increasing production, the 3,700-m2 facility now uses less energy.

“When we made the decision to expand, we put environmental concerns on the top of our list. As far as we are concerned, this priority applies in every instance: eco-friendly packaging, energy efficiency and water conservation,” said Laura Urtnowski, president of the company. The $5-million project, which included a $500,000 investment in sustainable technologies, was carried out between 2006 and 2009.

According to Urtnowski, the key aspect of the plan, which integrates 10 energy efficiency measures, has been the

Heat recovery at fermentation vats.

38

HPAC | NOVember/DECEMber 2010

synergy between those measures. Serge Bastrash, president of Klimfax, the Longueuil-based mechanical firm responsible for the project's green building aspects, also emphasized that the bottom line of such a project is a general merging: “The main aspect to keep in mind when you begin an energy saving project such as Les Brasseurs du Nord, is to get the energy from the most practical source, in the most efficient way. That is why it’s so critical to have an overall picture of the project and to know each sustainable technology very well."

Green Highlights: • Installation of a solar wall to preheat fresh air entering the building.

• Flow control of the fresh air (variable volume of 12,000 CFM) with a processor measuring the barometric pressure of the air in the plant.

• Specific activation of the evacuation ducts only when needed via sensors detecting the amount of CO2 present in the plant.

• Installation of a non-traditional geothermal system, which utilizes one pump. Reduced refrigeration requirements by 50 tons.

Ventilating unit. hpacmag.com

The software program used by Les Brasseurs du Nord ensures the synergy between all systems. It also ensures a better processing control by recording temperature, density and pH data. This advanced tool prioritizes the demand for cold according to fermentation needs and cooling capability of the compressors.

• Automatic control of the well pump rate with a system monitoring the demand for cold.

• Return of the cooling water in the same underground well.

• 100 per cent recovery of the heat generated by the

compressors, for manufacturing process and for heating the building.

• Reduction of 60 per cent of the energy generated for refrigerant circulation, by replacing 10 fixed-speed circulation pumps with only one automated, variablespeed pump.

• Saving up to 30 per cent of the demand for cold by adding modulating valves at the fermentation vats, also preventing overcooling.

• Computer control of all HVAC components as well as all refrigerating processes.

“We have reduced our greenhouse gas significantly by relying on automation, recovering energy, improving efficiency of our gas boilers, reducing the number of compressors needed for refrigeration, and decreasing the amount of refrigerant used in our possesses,” said Urtnowski.

Bastrash, who estimates that the project should provide a return on investment in only a few years, reported that Hydro-Quebec plans to re-examine its financial contribution policy to such projects, given their exceptional return. <>

State-of-the-Art Geothermal Training & Testing Facility

We offer a wide range of hands-on geothermal courses designed for homeowners, well drillers and HVAC contractors.

For more information or to become a Geothermal Specialist:

866.310.6690 GEOSMART ENERGY.COM NOVember/DECEMber 2010 | HPAC

hpacmag.com Untitled-4 1

7/29/10 2:41:03 PM

39

< SERVICE VEHICLES

WHAT THE CONTRACTORS SAY

BY BILL ROEBUCK

T

odayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market is teaming with service vehicle options and it pays to do your homework (see sidebar) before you invest in one or more vehicles for your business.

Some contractors tend to stick with one particular brand of truck, while others like to mix them up, depending on their specific needs.

One example is Kolostat Inc. of Montreal, a multi-faceted mechanical contracting firm specializing in bid and spec, design-build, and HVAC preventive maintenance and service. It has both a flexible yet consistent approach to its fleet, which totals 24 vehicles and includes a mix of GMC, Chevrolet and Ford products.

The company, which was started in 1927, has roughly 115 employees today, along with a permanent facility in Toronto. The company uses a mix of leased vans and pickups, with the construction division using a pair of Ford F-350 pickups and one F-250 model. The most common models in the fleet are its 18 GMC Savana cargo vans used by service technicians. These are supplemented by a pair of Chevrolet Uplander minivans that are used by technicians in the controls division. The vehicles range from 2003 to 2007 models. There is nothing fancy in them, unless you consider air conditioning to be a perk.

In addition to the vans and pickups, the fleet also includes a Chevrolet Express cutaway van used for deliver-

ing supplies, as well as a large GMC C7500 truck used by the firm's construction crew.

Tracking all of this equipment has been made easier for the company thanks to its arrangement with the leasing company. "They have a system we use and they manage everything for us," says Peter Murray, Kolostat's chief financial officer, "We benefit from cost-avoidance with them, and have a good overview of all of our fleet costs."

The software program tallies up fuel and maintenance expenses and can flag a vehicle or a driver that is out of the norm. "Sometimes it can be the driver that's the problem, if they're too heavy on the pedal, for example," says Murray.

The service vans typically see 20,000-30,000 km per year, and are run for about six years to around 140,000 km. Kolostat leases its trucks for 60 months, buys them at the end of the lease, uses them for another year and then sells them privately.

"We'll be retiring a couple of the older cargo vans this year, and adding three new ones," says Murray.

The firm uses a local upfitter to install Canadian-made shelves, drawers, ladder racks, plan tubes and such. "We used to do it ourselves, but this way is much better," says Murray. The equipment is usually moved into the new vehicles when the old models are replaced. continued on page 42

40

HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

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< Service Vehicles

continued from page 40

"We are selling savings through the red

uction of energy costs, and being green, durable and environmentally

friendly. So it would make sense to have our fleet made up of hybrid vehicles."

One frustration Murray has is the long lead times for the delivery of replacement trucks, in part because they are ordered in a silver colour. "We need to make up our minds quite a bit ahead of time -- several months -- so that's an issue." Also, the company also would like to install GPS tracking systems into the vehicles to make it easier to track mileage, but so far has felt resistance from its unionized staff.

In support of the company's green initiatives, Murray wishes he could find a hybrid product at a reasonable price. "We are selling savings through the reduction of energy costs, and being green, durable and environmentally friendly. So it would make sense to have our fleet made up of hybrid vehicles."

At Hawk Custom Sheet Metal Ltd. in Red Deer, AB, president Mel Steer is completely loyal to the General Motors brand. He only uses pickup trucks in his fleet of about a dozen GMC Sierras, which range from 1996 to 2009 models.

Most of the pickups are half-ton 1500 Series units, with one three-quarter-ton and two one-ton versions in the mix, the latter for hauling heavy materials to and from jobsites.

Currently Hawk has six crews on the road, with between one and three technicians in each.

Hawk does not use upfitters, preferring to build its own racks and toolboxes to fit the pickups. Steer says he tracks the fleet's costs manually, keeping records in a folder for each truck.

"We run the trucks till they start to cost us too much," he says. That's typically between 250,000 and 300,000 km.

"We get our money out of them!"

That “running them until they get too expensive” philosophy is shared by Keith Plumbing Heating Co. Ltd. in North Vancouver, BC. "We have 20 one-ton service trucks, a mix of GMC Savana 3500 and Chevrolet Express 3500 cargo vans," says Herb Adams, service manager for the company's service division. In addition, the comp-any 42

HPAC | NOVember/DECEMber 2010

has a construction group that is managed separately and has its own vehicles, including a couple of four-wheel drive Toyota Tundra pickups used by its Whitehorse, YT, branch.

Keith Plumbing is mostly loyal to the GMC model line, although Adams notes that there is a lone Ford F150 pickup truck that was purchased a few years ago.

"They last us for a long time, typically eight to 10 years.

Most of the guys like Chevys and GMs. Our techs find them to be comfy and roomy. They're very durable. We've had no major problems."

Each truck has its own fuel card, but other expenses are tracked with pen and paper. Maintenance work is done at a local garage, and Adams keeps track of the invoices.

Upfitting of shelves and racking is handled locally as well.

The current fleet ranges from 2000 through to 2010 models. The company has been replacing two or three vans a year over the past couple of years -- although some have been added to the fleet as the company grows. Twelve years ago, when Adams joined the firm, there were just eight trucks being used.

Adams also faces the challenge of a lengthy lead time when ordering new models. "It takes three to five months," he says. But he admits that is because the trucks are ordered in a special colour -- school-bus yellow. "The owner has been painting the trucks yellow and red since the 1950s and won't change now," says Adams. Keith Plumbing's name appears on a bright red side panel that is painted on locally.

"We could walk across the street to a dealer and get a white one," notes Adams. "In fact, we once tried painting a white van yellow but it didn't work out for us. To get what we want, they have to be factory-ordered.” <> Bill Roebuck is a long-standing member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and has been writing the annual Service Vehicle Report for HPAC magazine since 1999. hpacmag.com

IT’S ALL BUSINESS. THEN AGAIN, YOU ARE TOO.

Introducing the NV. It’s more than a van.

We know you work hard. It’s why you need the Nissan NV: the vehicular equivalent of the right tool for the job. Durability and reliability are nonnegotiable, versatility wins the day. Also, unique features come standard, like water-resistant seating surfaces with outer wear patch. Or multiple integrated reinforced mounting points for secure anchoring of racks and bin systems. It’s all good, and it’s your call. For more visit www.ncv.nissan.ca

Available high roof

®

The Nissan Commercial Vehicles names, logos, product names, feature names, and slogans are trademark owned by or licensed to Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., and/or its North American subsidiaries.

PRODUCTS PLUMBING

Designed for commercial electronic faucets

Featuring a hydraulic design, the e-SV line of

and flush valves, the Hardwire Converter with

stainless steel vertical multi-stage pumps

The Next Hybrid residential gas water heater

battery backup from Delta can keep systems

from Goulds Pumps can be easily serviced

from A.O. Smith features a tankless “heat

running even during power failures. The sys-

without removing the motor. The mechanical

engine” as well as a small storage tank. De-

tem is also equipped with a battery-strength

seal is also replaceable without the need for

signed for the replacement market, the unit

indicator to help users determine how much

pump disassembly. All pumps above 10HP

has a similar footprint to conventional mod-

life is left in the battery.

come equipped with continuous vibration

els and utilizes the same water and gas con-

deltacommercialfaucets.com

monitors. goulds.com

nections. hotwatercanada.ca continued on page 46

Join The Green Scene

New WatcoFlex Bath Waste ...installs faster/easier TM

Special patent pending PVC flexible tubing. Eliminates four field joints.

Innovator overflow parts assemble by hand. No screws. Approved by IAPMO. It’s green. You’ll get used to seeing it.

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44

HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

hpacmag.com

IT’S THAT

SIMPLE Increase your pressure... and keep it constant.

Leave low or fluctuating water pressure behind by putting your water system on cruise control with a simple, affordable solution. Homes on city water systems often experience low water pressure because of old infrastructure or distance from the main water line. By using a Little Giant Inline CP constant pressure system from Franklin Electric, you can increase your water pressure and keep it constant, whatever your demand.

Learn more about water systems and the benefit of constant pressure at www.constantpressure.com.

< PRODUCTS PLUMBING

continued from page 44

RIDGID’s

SeeSnake

LT1000

laptop interface can be used along with the company’s reel, SeeSnake HQ software and a PC laptop to digitally record, monitor and manage drain footage.

The software allows for reporting through e-mailable PDF reports. emerson.com The 5120 series low-lead domestic water mixing valves from Taco are available with a sweat union connection in 1/2-inch, 3/4inch and 1-inch sizes. These NSF 61-certified valves are designed for installation at the water heater, have snap-on protective covers and will mix-down delivery temperatures to a safe 120°F or less. taco-hvac.com

Designed for faucets, water closets and dishwashers, Matco-Norca’s braided stainless steel connectors can be used in both residential and commercial applications. The connectors feature PVC tubing surrounded by braided stainless steel and do not require specialized tube-bending equipment or soldering during installation. A variety of end connections and lengths are available. matco-norca.com

Designed for multi-unit commercial tankless water heater installs, the MR-2 racking system from Noritz is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. The system holds two tankless water heaters back to back

With cover plate heights that can be adjusted

and allows for installation in the middle of a

Engineered

space, so a sidewall is not necessary. Mea-

Sloan Valve Company’s commercial dual-

er drainage systems are available in eight

suring approximately 64" tall, 19" wide and

flush toilet bowls are available in floor- and

lengths, from 800 mm to 1500 mm, and with

for

water-efficient

operation,

to suit different floor finishings, Carisa’s show-

31" deep when fully assembled, the unit is

wall-mount models. The bowls are designed

20 different cover design options. Suitable for

constructed of corrosion-resistant steel and

for use with the company’s manual, solar- and

all tile types, the system is designed for a flow

weighs approximately 48 lbs.

battery-powered dual-flush Flushometers.

rate of 48 l/m. termosan.us

noritz.com

sloanvalve.com

46

HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

hpacmag.com

Liberty pumps offers 6 different series of sump pumps to meet your specific pumping needs. All feature energy efficient motor designs that minimize energy consumption.

For the absolute best in basement groundwater protection look no further than Liberty Pumps!

8 0 0 . 5 4 3 . 2 5 5 0 www.libertypumps.com

280-Series 450-Series

S30-Series

240-Series

250-Series Copyright Š Liberty Pumps, Inc. 2010 All rights reserved.

230-Series

One of Americas fastest growing,

MECHANICAL SUPPLY NEWS MANUFACTURERS • distributors • wholesalers • associations

Rona Enters British Columbia's Specialized Plumbing Market RONA inc. has acquired, through its subsidiary Noble, the assets of MPH Supply Limited. This company, which specializes in the distribution of plumbing products, operates five branches in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. The transaction also includes the acquisition of Better Bathrooms Limited, a retail outlet specializing in sales of finishing plumbing products. MPH Supply and Better Bathrooms generate close to $15 million in sales with 50 employees.

"We're very pleased with this acquisition, which gives us instant access to a new geographical area in the specialized plumbing market and represents strong growth potential through opening of new branches as well as further acquisitions in Western Canada. Following our entry into Quebec's specialty plumbing market with two acquisitions earlier this year, this transaction represents another step toward achieving RONA's objective of establishing a national platform in the commercial and professional market," said Michael Storfer, vice president of RONA's commercial and professional market division.

MPH Supply Limited and Better Bathrooms Limited coowners Rod Andrew and Peter Austen have agreed to stay on with the company to help develop the commercial and professional market division in British Columbia. better-bathrooms.ca | noble.ca

also recently announced that it has formed a partnership with ABS ESCO, Inc., a Toronto-based consulting and construction firm. The companies will work together to identify ways in which Low-H20 technology can be paired with geothermal, solar and other renewable energy sources. jaga-canada.com More than 80 contractors, engineers, facility managers and building owners, attended a recent product awareness and sales presentation that featured Mitsubishi’s Zuba Central. Jack Eliav (l), president of MITS Airconditioning Inc. congratulates Ned Mahdavian of Easy Solution Heating & Air Conditioning, who was the lucky winner of a flat screen television at the event.

mitsair.com | mitsubishielectric.ca

A Pearl Of An Event With its well-known annual Oyster Party evening, Wolseley gathered about 700 people to visit 50 exhibitors at its Laval, QC. location. Beyond enjoying the seafood, visitors continued on page 50

Jaga Strengthens Canadian Ties

Award Recipient An International Leader In Refrigerant Technology

Jaga Climate Systems is manufacturing casings for its Strada and Mini Canal radiators at Artmetco's precision sheet metal manufacturing facility in Saint Laurent, QC. "Producing the elements for our radiators in Canada not only reaffirms our commitment to providing sustainable heating, cooling and ventilation solutions throughout Canada, it also helps reduce the overall environmental impact of our products," said Bert Kriekels, president, Jaga Climate Systems. "Further, our customers will benefit because it will reduce logistics costs and improve the speed at which we are able to ship orders."

The first Canadian-manufactured products were produced in September 2010 and shipped to the Evergreen Brickworks project in Toronto, ON. All future orders from Canada for both the Strada and Mini Canal will also be manufactured and shipped from this new location. Jaga

At the 10th Anniversary Annual Meeting of Refrigerant Management Canada (RMC), held recently in Mississauga, ON, RMC chair Dennis Larson announced that Jim Thomas of Refrigerant Services in Dartmouth, NS, is the first recipient of the RMC Environmental Achievement Award. The Award recognizes exemplary contributions by the HVAC/R industry to protection and enhancement of the environment as it relates to industry products, services and extended producer responsibility programs.

Thomas has been in the Canadian refrigeration and air conditioning industry for more than 40 years and over the last 17 years he has provided reclamation and separation technologies in Canada and internationally. His technologies are currently being used in eight countries spanning four continents.

Robert Flipse, general manager of Gordon Latham Limited in Vancouver, BC was appointed incoming chair of

48

HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

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Hats Off To Innovation The winners of the 2011 AHR Expo Innovation Awards will be honoured during the HVAC/R exposition and conference in Las Vegas, January 31 - February 2, 2011. Representing a cross-section of the HVAC/R marketplace, the winning entries were selected in 10 categories. The winners are: Building Automation Company: ecobee Product: ecobee Energy Management System

Indoor Air Quality Company: Triatomic Environmental, Inc. Product: Fresh-Aire UV APCO In-duct Air Purifier

Software Company: CAN2GO (SCL Elements Inc.) Product: CAN2GO Embedded BAS IP Web Interface

Cooling Company: Advantix System Product: DuCool DuTreat System Liquid Desiccant Air Conditioner/Dehumidifier

Plumbing Company: I TT Residential & Commercial Water Product: ecocirc Hot Water Circulator

Tools Company: Neutronics Inc. Product: Ultima ID Pro HVAC/R Refrigerant Analyzer

Refrigeration Company: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Product: Copeland Discus Digital Compressor

Ventilation Company: Mitsubishi Electric Cooling and Heating Solutions Product: Mitsubishi Electric CITY MULTI Dedicated Outside Air System (DOAS)

Green Building Company: Daikin AC (America), Inc. Product: Daikin Altherma Air-to-Water Heat Pump System Heating Company: LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc. Product: Air-to-Water Heat Pump System (AWHP)

One of the 10 category winners will also be selected as the winner of the 2011 AHR Expo Product of the Year Award. There were a record number of entries this year, up 18 per cent from the previous record. ahrexpo.com

RMC Environmental Achievement Award recipient Jim Thomas with Mississauga's mayor, Hazel McCallion, a guest at RMC's annual meeting.

RMC at the annual meeting. A professional engineer, Flipse currently serves on the board of directors of HRAI's Contractors Division and is vice-president of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association of BC. refrigerantmanagement.ca hpacmag.com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 | HPAC

49

< MSN

continued from page 49

PEOPLE American Hometec Inc. has promoted David Millilo to vice president sales & marketing. He has 15 years of experience in both the business-to-business and business-toconsumer marketing channels and was previously director of marketing for the company.

Olivier Roberge (2nd from left) and Mark Evans (r), fill contractors in on Viega products.

Blittschau

Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. has appointed Ed Blittschau to vice president of sales and marketing for the Flow Controls business, where his responsibilities will include North America. Blittschau was most recently with Emerson Motors.

Etienne Veilleux, president & CEO of Distech Controls, has been named Cleantech category winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2010 Award for the Quebec region. In addition, Veilleux received a Special Citation Veilleux at the National Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards ceremony in honour of Innovation Design and Manufacturing.

Rick Proulx, Cash Acme sales director.

met suppliers and familiarized themselves with new product offerings. Several exhibitors voiced a preference for this kind of one-day show rather than bigger events. They consider the by-invitation-only visitors to be more qualified and the event itself more affordable, both in terms of money and resources.

Luc Boily

Malco Products has named Kirk Langbehn general sales manager. Concurrent with this announcement, the company is making some sales channel leader accountability changes in order to better align with Malco's 2011 Business Plan. Steve Thompson will re-focus on HVAC.

Worth A Look – Online Eco-Responsible Renovation Guide Check out the project guide and products section at this consumer site to see how your products/fuel offerings stack up: http://ronaeco.ca

DISTRIBUTION

• Redmond/Williams has acquired a 43,000+ square foot distribution centre just steps away from its head office at 5605 Timberlea Blvd., in Mississauga, ON. Construction will be complete by January 2011. The facility will have a new and improved training centre and a state-of-the-art 50

HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

Létourneau

Pelletier

Hervieux

Louis Beaulieu, regional sales manager with Ouellet Canada Inc., has announced the appointment of Joey Létourneau and Jason Pelletier to the positions of sales representatives. Létourneau will take care of business development support with Ouellet distributors and master electricians in eastern Quebec. Pelletier will be responsible for business development in the Montreal South Shore area. He has been with the company for 18 months as internal sales representative. Jean-Philippe Hervieux has been named technical sales representative effective January 2011. hpacmag.com

MSN >

•

•

fireplace showroom. Along with the additional space, Redmond/Williams is also adding a new truck to its fleet. redmondwilliams.com The Sauermann Group NA has appointed E. S. Gallagher Sales Ltd. of Toronto, as their national sales representatives in the Canadian Market. based in Italy The Sauermann group is a manufacturer of condensate pumps for the HVAC/R industry. In addition to condensate pumps Sauermann also offers an AC Line set and wire covers, (ducts) and condenser mounting brackets, for wall and roof applications. sauermannpumps.us | esgallagher.com HPG Sales, a division of Hydronic Parts Group Ltd., is now carrying the full line of Peerless Boilers products, including its gas and oil-fired, residential and commercial boilers. Peerless manufactures product for both water and low pressure steam. hydronicpartsgroup.com

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

• American

Standard Brands and Decorative Panels International (DPI) have announced the merger of their respective companies. DPI is a manufacturer of smooth hardboard and decorative wall panel products. American Standard Brands and DPI are affiliated portfolio companies of Sun Capital Partners. americanstandard.ca

• McQuay International, a member of the Daikin Group,

•

•

has acquired HydroKool, LLC, a manufacturer of custom pre-engineered HVAC solutions, including McQuay's modular central plants. Headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, the company was previously owned by TriCity Mechanical, a division of Comfort Systems USA. HydroKool offers an alternative to site-built central plants with pre-engineered, pre-assembled modules offering high efficiency chillers, cooling tower, pumps and piping. HydroKool's design and flexible manufacturing capabilities will be expanded to support McQuay Solutions Group. mcquay.com Carrier Corp. has sold its Dettson residential heating operations in Canada to the Ouellet Group, a Quebecbased manufacturer of electric heating systems.

Dettson is primarily a residential oil heating products manufacturer with 125 employees. It has its headquarters and a 150,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Sherbrooke, QC. ouellet.com MSA has acquired General Monitors, a developer of fixed systems for gas and flame detection. With this acquisition, MSA strengthens its position in the global oil, gas and petrochemical markets. msanorthamerica.com | generalmonitors.com <>

CIPHEX West Attendance Exceeds Expectations The recent CIPHEX West trade show and conference in Calgary attracted almost 3,000 industry delegates to the BMO Centre at Stampede Park on November 3-4.

According to Elizabeth McCullough, general manager – trade shows with the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH), “Attendance increased by seven per cent

over the last CIPHEX event held in 2008 and engineer participation increased by 91 per cent. In fact, we had the highest number of engineers who have ever attended a CIPHEX West show.” For further information, contact Elizabeth McCullough at tel. 416.695.0447 or by e-mail: e.mccullough@ciph.com. ciph.com

photo quickvic_piping_ challenge

Speaker Richard Trethewey (l) chats with Larry Wurtak, regional sales manager at GeoSystems.

hpacmag.com

Victaulic's Quickvic piping challenge offered contractors a chance to show their stuff in a race against the clock.

Russ Morgan, CIPH chair, welcomes guests to the show during the chairman's reception.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 | HPAC

51

PRODUCTS HEATING

Designed for commercial and industrial applications with ceiling heights up to 75 feet,

FHP has introduced two new heat pump lines:

Schwank’s ultraSchwank gas-fired radiant

The EP series and RT series. The commercial

tube heater features an insulated reflector

water-source single-stage EP series can be used

system that captures convection heat and

in geothermal applications when equipped with

increases tube and inner reflector surface

an extended range option. Units range from ½

temperatures. Heaters are available with in-

to six tons. The RT series 100 per cent outdoor

put capacities from 60,000 to 200,000 Btuh

air rooftop heat pumps are available in sizes

and in lengths from 20 to 70 feet.

ranging from four to 30 tons and feature built-in

schwankgroup.com

energy recovery wheels. fhp-mfg.com

The Z Series hybrid commercial ventilation unit from Reznor combines the benefits of a heat pump and an energy recovery wheel in one. During the winter months the unit modulates the heat pump system and the total enthalpy wheel to provide 70F heated air. The unit can heat up to 1,500 cfm of outside air with a COP of 6.23 at 0F. During the warmer months, the unit delivers dehumidified, 70F fresh air. rezspec.com

York’s 13 SEER Latitude horizontal ducted, single-packaged electric cooling unit and heat pump is available in two- to five-ton capacities. The heat pump models operate with a constant torque motor on the indoor supply fan and feature high and low safety pressure switches. When pressure switches sense abnormal conditions, the unit will lock out, preventing further operation until it is reset or the problem is corrected. johnsoncontrols.com

continued on page 46

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PRODUCTS HEATING >

The HSI single-stage integrated furnace control kit from White-Rodgers is a universal replacement kit for virtually all of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s single-stage carbide and nitride HSI systems in furnace applications. The kit includes an ignition control module, multiple wiring harnesses, a universal ignitor kit, as well as installation instructions and OEM cross-reference. white-rodgers.com

ProTech Systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s FasNSeal and FasNSeal Flex venting products are designed for use with category II, III and IV natural gas and propane appliances including furnaces, booster heaters, pool heaters and unit heaters. The FasNSeal line is available in diameters ranging from three- to 24-inches, while the Flex line is available in diameters of three- to 12-inches. protechinfo.com The Climasure packaged unit from Luxaire is a horizontal ducted, single-packaged electric cooling unit and heat pump featuring an all-aluminum condenser coil and a powderpainted, galvanized steel heavy-duty cabinet.

Designed for installation on the ground or on a roof, the units are available in capacities ranging from two to five tons. joinluxaire.com

Compatible with most heating and air conditioning systems, the ColorTouch touch-screen thermostat from Venstar includes a programmable nighttime dimmer, energy usage information, customizable photo backgrounds and an output test screen for system testing. Contractors can also input contact information into the thermostat and set reminder alerts to let homeowners know it is time for servicing. venstar.com

The Trane XC95m is a fully modulating communicating furnace with a variable-speed blower motor with Comfort-R technology, which allows cooling, heating humidity control. The XC95m features a heavy gauge, two-tone powder-painted cabinet, durable adaptive silicon Nitride hot surface igniter and a onepiece aluminized steel primary heat exchanger. trane.com

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53

PRODUCTS HVAC

The

MovinCool

CM25 self-contained, ceilingmounted air conditioner has a total cooling capacity

Heatcraft Refrigerationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

of 25,000 Btuh and a sensible cooling capacity of 18,900 Btuh. It is

line of CO2 unit coolers includes 62

designed for server rooms and other spaces with dense heat loads.

models, in low profile, medium profile, centre mount and low veloc-

The unit is 20" high, enabling it to fit above a drop ceiling. A built-in

ity product families. Capacities match standard direct expansion (DX)

mounting bracket, flanges and vibration isolators allow installation

models and are measured in Btuh. Models designed for use with CO2

using standard, off-the-shelf hardware. No refrigerant connections

are configured for low temperature DX or medium temperature liquid

are required. movincool.com/portable-air-conditioner/cm25.php

overfeed/recirculation. HeatcraftRPD.com

The four-ton, 15.5 SEER Fujitsu Halcyon HFI Hybrid Flex Inverter system from Fujitsu General America is a cross between VRF (variable refrigerant flow) and multi-zone technology. Units on offer include seven, nine, 12, 18 and 24,000 Btu wall-mount units; nine, 12 and 18,000 Btu cassette units; and nine, 12, 18 and 24,000 BTU concealed ceiling units â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all of which can connect to a single, four-ton outdoor unit. The system is designed for a variety of applications, from residential to light commercial. fujitsugeneral.com Johnson Controls has expanded its line of York model YCWL water-cooled scroll chillers to include models ranging from 50 to 200 tons of refrigeration (175 to 700 kW). Charged with R410A refrigerant, the chillers are designed to fit through a standard three-foot door. A heat-pump mode is also offered for recovery of waste heat. johnsoncontrols.com

The Tranquility (TAH) Air Handler Series from ClimateMaster is available in sizes in the 26, 38, 49 and 64 MBH range. The units are specifically designed and matched for use with the Tranquility indoor and outdoor Spectronics Corporation has introduced the COBRA and COBRA-

geothermal split systems. TAH units are convertible to upflow, downflow,

Plus scopes, which feature a built-in UV LED and white light LED

horizontal right and left downflow. Other features include condensate

that enable technicians to inspect and leak check hard-to-see

over-flow protection, 230v-115v compatibility, bi-directional thermal ex-

components. The UV LED is suited to detecting refrigerant leaks,

pansion valve, control transformer with circuit breaker protection, large

fluid leaks and surface flaws, while the white light LED is suited

removable access panels and dehumidification mode for latent cooling.

to component inspection. spectroline.com

climatemaster.com

54

HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

hpacmag.com

December 2010

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HPACMAG.COM

< IAQ

Sticky Product…

Stickier Problems

BY ROBERT BEAN

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 2 56

HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

W

HPACMAG.COM

Photo Istockphoto

The product name is a misnomer and many issues with performance and indoor air quality can be attributed to it, as was the case in this fragrant mystery.

e cannot use the brand name but it is known as ‘the handyman's secret weapon,’ also known as “fabric-based tape with rubber adhesive” ala Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (see below), or “a polyethylene, reinforced, multi-purpose pressure sensitive tape with a soft and semi-flexible shell and pressure sensitive adhesive.” It made guys such as Red Green famous, earning the right to add ‘master taper’ to their sparkling resume. But as everyone knows, the last thing you want to use on ducts is the handyman's secret weapon.

This was validated a few years ago by studies conducted at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Environmental Energy Technologies Division where researchers discovered that the stuff becomes brittle and fails. You did not need a Ph.D. to figure this out. Any competent sheet metal contractor would tell you the same thing. In fact, if “Do Not Use This Tape On Ducts” was printed on every roll sold at do-it-yourself (DIY) stores we would prevent a significant number of duct leakage problems created by part-time tinsmiths.

It would also have prevented an IAQ call that started this way, “Why does our entire house smell like Dipalmitoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate?” Ok,they did not say “Dipalmitoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate” but they did use the name of a well-known brand of laundry conditioning product. The odorous aroma found a way to spread its bouquet into every nook and cranny of the house. The owners could not figure out how it was happening.

IAQ >

After a few questions such as: “Did your kids play hide and seek with the stuff at their last sleep over?” to “Have you checked your clothes in the closets because the product is supposed to stop static cling but it sticks to your clothes (go figure)?” to “Have you checked to see if there is any air coming out your dryer exhaust hood?”

The owner had a eureka moment at this point and came to the same conclusion I had arrived at earlier. Somewhere between the dryer and hood there was a broken dryer venting connection. It was leaking into an equally leaky return air plenum, where it was subsequently distributed through the heating ducts.

We needed a video probe for this one. After a call to my buddy Doug Muncaster, who has all the toys, we set out to locate the cracked culprit (see Figure 1). Like all failures, it was in the worst possible location and was accessible only by ripping down portions of a finished ceiling (see Figure 2). The repairs have since been done (braced and clamped) and the video cam is off doing what it does best on some

other trouble shooting call but the headaches this once sticky product creates for IAQ and energy efficiency are long term. They often cannot be resolved without major destruction and then restoration work.

To this I say, the handyman's secret weapon is cool stuff but it is in need of a name change and should not be sold to DIY’r tinsmiths, unless of course the DIY’r is a master taper with a hit television program. <> Robert Bean, R.E.T., P.L.(Eng.), is registered practitioner in building construction engineering technology (ASET) and a professional licensee in mechanical engineering (APEGGA). He has over 30 years experience in the construction industry specializing in energy and indoor environmental quality and is the author and lecturer for professional development programs addressing building science, thermal comfort quality, indoor air quality and radiant based HVAC systems. He can be reached at warmfloors@shaw.ca.

O ne s ma ll s t e p fo r ma nk ind...

O ne g ia nt s tep fo rw a rd fo r t h e indus try !

“Walk-It-In” Foam Radiant Floor Panels Two-Stage Infra-Red Heating System

T45 S45

Thin:::thickness 1.8”

Standard:::thickness 2.8”

U45

Ultimate:::thickness 3.3” Offering foam panels that satisfy R-10 requirements.

C R E AT H E R M T M

• Independently tested and proven to increase energy savings (ASHRAE #4643) • The HL-2 uses “lowfire” for moderately cold days and “high-fire” for only those really cold winter days • Input range from 65,000 to 200,000 btu/h • Commercial/industrial indoor and outdoor use • Manufactured by Canada’s leader in infra-red technology for over 40 years

Install wherever radiant heating is used. Panels provide an efficient thermal and sound barrier between ground and slab.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 | HPAC

HPACMAG.COM BrantRadiant.indd 1

57

11/6/08 10:00:34 AM

PRODUCTS TOOLS The EX845 from Extech Instruments is a 1000A AC/DC CAT IV clamp meter with a built-in infrared thermometer and the ability to wirelessly connect to infrared cameras. The unit’s meter functions include AC/DC current, voltage, resistance, capacitance, frequency, infrared and contact temperature, diode-test and continuity check. The four-digit, 4,000 count backlit display is complemented by several one-button functions including data hold, Designed to secure PEX tubing in-floor radi-

min/max, and selectable auto- or manual-

ant heating layouts on wire grids, the PEX

ranging.

to Wire Tool and Clip system from Malco

extech.com

Products, Inc. features a 25-count clip capacity magazine feed. The company’s 12-gauge steel clips are suited for use in PEX to wire fastening applications with 3/8" to 3/4" diameter PEX tubing. malcotools.com

CLK silicone sealant from Nelson Firestop is installed by a caulking gun, or by manually trowelling.

The sealant is suited for firestop penetrations and construction joints, such as around metallic pipes or conduits. It is waterproof, smoke-proof and gasproof. The non-shrinking and non-toxic sealant maintains its flexibility and allows for movement or vibration. nelsonfirestop.com Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation’s cordDesigned for large-scale, high density residential

less power tools now boast M28 lithium-ion battery packs. These battery packs are com-

buildings, multi-use residential/commercial villag-

patible with the current V28 product line and

es and multiple retail/restaurant chain stores, the

offer improved performance and run time.

WEB-602 and WEB-202 controllers from Honeywell

The packs come equipped with digital power

feature onboard I/O and universal power supply

management, as well as temperature man-

housed in an easy-to-mount, easy-to-access styl-

agement, and feature a side-packed design

ized chassis. The controllers support an optional

and integrated weld frame.

back-up battery and a wireless GPRS modem.

milwaukeetool.com

honeywell.com

Changes to the In Home Selling Tool, a professional, interactive program, equip dealers to provide homeowners with a better estimate of the savings associated with the purchase of a Coleman air conditioner, heat pump and/or furnace. The In Home Selling Tool has an interactive questionnaire that runs from a dealer’s laptop and examines information about the house, the existing heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system and homeowner needs. The tool includes a calculator that estimates the savings associated with a particular piece of equipment. colemanhvacdealer.com

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HPAC | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

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PRODUCTS TOOLS > Irwin Tools has introduced two jaw configurations

for

its

line of Vise-Grip GrooveLock pliers. With press-and-slide-button technology, the straight and smooth jaws, which range in size from 1-1/8 to six-inches, can be easily adjusted. The pliers also feature anti-pinch grips, right angle teeth and a multi-groove ratcheting system. irwin.com

Designed for pickup truck beds, tailgates and wheel wells, Burtin Polymer Laboratories Bullet Liner is a spray-on coating that delivers UV protection, as well as puncture and abrasion resistance. The coating is formulated to maintain a high lustre shine and is available with a colour matching system. bulletliner.com

Available in four models and pre-configured with diagnostic tool access, Ridgidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contractorgrade laptops are customized by Dell to meet the specific needs of original equipment manufacturers. Designed to work with RIDGID inspection systems, the laptops are designed to withstand extreme temperatures and accidental drops of up to four feet. ridgid.com/dell

Erico has expanded its Caddy Pyramid line of rooftop supports. The EZ series adjustable-height rooftop pipe supports feature simple snap-on installation. The ST series strut-based thermoplastic supports have a high load rating of up to 1,500 lbs. and the RL series roller-based thermoplastic supports, which allow for longitudinal movement of pipe, such as from thermal expansion or The Nelson MPS multi-plug firestop system seals cable penetrations through fire-rated floors

contraction. The roller-based supports can

and walls. Designed for commercial applications, the system consists of a compact circular

accommodate elevation changes on the roof

frame installed within a cutout that houses a round outer shell of elastomer along with a square

and are designed to keep conduit away from

inner core opening to accommodate multiple modules. nelsonfirestop.com

higher ambient temperature. erico.com

hpacmag.com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 | HPAC

59

Training

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS CANADA GeoExchange Training

Solar Installer Certification Programs

Developed by the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC), the threeday training program is intended for those involved with the installation of residential geothermal systems. skilltech@hrai.ca

Visit cansia.ca or tel. 866-522-6742 for information on Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) workshops and training courses.

CMCEF National Seminar Program

Hydronics Training

The Canadian Mechanical Contracting Education Foundation program includes: commissioning, dispatcher training, change out and project management. cmcef.org

Information on the Canadian Hydronics Council two-day Introduction to Hydronic Heating Installations course is available at ultimatecomfort.ca or tel. 416-695-0447.

THE SOURCE

Advertisers in this issue

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473-9462........................ipexinc.com...................................................... page 15 ISH.................................................(905) 824-5017........................ish.messefrankfurt.com..................................... page 35 Liberty Pumps.................................(800) 543-2550........................libertypumps.com............................................. page 47 Madok............................................(519) 756-5760 . ....................madok.com...................................................... page 18 Milwaukee......................................(800) 268-4015........................milwaukeetool.com...................................... page 33, 49 Mitsubishi Electric..........................(905) 475-7728........................HVACevolved.ca................................................ page 21 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Mfg......................................(816) 796-3900........................watcomfg.com.................................................. page 44 Watts Canada.................................(888) 208-8927........................wattscanada.ca........................................... page 30, 64 Wesmech........................................(800) 613-3789........................wesmechtech.com...................................... page 32, 39 Woodford Mfg..................................(800) 621-6032........................woodfordmfg.com.............................................. page 27 Zurn................................................(905) 405-8272........................zurn.com.......................................................... page 12 60

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Strengthen Your Business With More and more people are using Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to chat with friends or share pictures of their children. But have you thought about how to harness the power of these social media tools for your small business? BY HOWARD GROSFIELD

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ites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn serve many purposes from a personal perspective, but social media also provides user-friendly tools to help run and expand your small business. Whether you need to hire a new employee, show off your latest products, attract new customers or get some advice, a website exists that can fill the need at little to no cost.

Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn each have their own merits and you do not have to become an expert in each overnight, nor do you need to have technical or design skills.

That said, a full social media strategy takes time to both develop and execute and as we know, time is often in short supply for small business owners.

Spending time browsing what your competitors are doing or chatting with peers in other cities will help you understand the scope of what is possible and whether a social media presence is a must-have for your business. Here are a few simple ideas of things that you can use to test the waters, without investing a substantial amount of time.

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According to recent statistics, about half the Canadian population has a Facebook (facebook.com) account. That is a huge potential audience to showcase your brand. Small businesses use their Facebook pages to highlight products There are some things you can do immediately. Search Facebook for groups and pages dedicated to small business topics and for communities relevant to your business. Many small business publications and organizations have accounts allowing you to find and discuss articles on everything from new standards and regulations to common employment issues.

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A PICTURE IS WORTH… Check out Flickr (flickr.com), a photo-sharing site that can be an invaluable tool for sharing photos of your products and services with potential customers. The site allows people to upload photographs from their computers or telephones and then edit, add captions and organize them into folders.

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SHOWCASE YOUR BRAND

and services, provide a space for discussion and feedback and to offer product coupons. Facebook has numerous applications to help businesses grow. As a start, take some time to browse through the Facebook ads, marketplace and business card tools.

Canadians use Facebook to make connections with others who share their interests – some silly and some very targeted. There are fan groups for people interested in home improvements and those who want to compare the merits of various trade shows – essentially something for everyone and something for every market. And while Facebook is a great tool for reaching your customers, developing your own page will require investing some of your time.

Take before and after photographs of challenging projects and solutions. Or snap new products on the market that you have installed or endorse and load them onto Flickr. Then e-mail a link to your album to existing, new and potential customers.

Photos may be organized by category and tagged with descriptors, such as plumbing solutions. This allows other users to find your photos in a search. Like Facebook, Flickr allows you to join groups, share your photos with as wide an audience as you desire and comment on others’ photos. continued on page 62 NOVember/DECEMber 2010 | HPAC

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CONNECT TO CUSTOMERS

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Building a following on Twitter takes time, so initially your tweets may not be seen by large groups of people. Conversely, building a group for you to follow can be done quickly by searching for competitors, suppliers and trade organizations. Go back through recent postings, watching for industry trends and innovations and to see how companies are using Twitter to build their business.

Many small businesses use Twitter as a means to connect to their customers, providing an opportunity for open dialogue and to build loyal relationships. Many retailers and service providers use Twitter to advertise upcoming promotions, for example offering a 20 per cent discount to your Twitter fans for a particular week on items such as regular maintenance, duct cleanings or product upgrades.

NETWORKING TOOL LinkedIn (linkedin.com) is primarily a professional networking tool, with a much narrower scope than Facebook. While recent research* found that Canadian small business owners are still relying on newspaper advertisements and word of mouth to find job candidates, LinkedIn can widen the

scope of your search effortlessly and at little to no cost.

Members generally post their work experience, educational history and other work-relevant details, allowing themselves to be searched by other members.

Is there someone you would like to be introduced to, who could be a key contact for your small business – perhaps a supplier that you would like to partner with? Chances are you can look them up on LinkedIn and find out more about them. You will even see if an existing contact also knows that individual and can make an introduction.

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Twitter (twitter.com) is probably the simplest of all the major social media tools. Twitter is a micro-blogging site, where users can send out messages of up to 140 characters as often or as seldom as they want. Some users see Twitter as a venue for their daily stream of consciousness, but others keep their messages – or “tweets” – limited to a particular interest.

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While posting a job advertisement does incur a fee, the reach of your advertisement is geographically far greater than in a newspaper. And searching the database for a keyword phrase such as “heating specialist” could net you a potential employee or a future supplier.

For many who are not familiar with the tools, entering the social media world may seem like a daunting task. But these tools require low technological expertise and often no budget. It is worth setting aside a few hours to explore the possibilities. Once you have taken some time to familiarize yourself with Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, you will have a better sense of whether it is the right time for you to develop a social media strategy as part of your overall business plan. <> Howard Grosfield is the vice president and general manager of small business services for American Express Canada and International. *American Express Small Business Monitor.

Calendar 2011

FOR THE LATEST EVENT NEWS SEE HPAC'S NEWSLETTER @ hpacmag.com AHR EXPO January 31–February 2

ISH 2011 March 15-19

MCEE April 20-21

The trade show and resource for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry will be held at Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. ahrexpo.com

ISH in Frankfurt am Main is a showcase for innovative bathroom design, energy efficient heating and air-conditioning technology and renewable energies. http://ish.messefrankfurt.com

Eastern Canada’s mechanical and electrical trade show will be held at Place Bonaventure in Montreal. mcee.ca

KBIS April 26-28

IEA Heat Pump Conference May 16-19

Oilheat 2011 June 21-22

The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. kbis.com

The 10th International Energy Agency (IEA) Heat Pump Conference will be held at Chinzan-so in Tokyo, Japan. hpc2011.org

The Canadian Oil Heat Association will hold its symposium at White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa in Niagara on-the-Lake, ON. coha.ca

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HPAC | NOVember/DECEMber 2010

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