HPAC December 2015

HERITAGE HOME RESTORATION

PLUMBING FIXTURES FOR SMALL SPACES

WATER CONSERVATION IN COMMERCIAL KITCHENS

DECEMBER 2015

WHAT IS IN THE ULTIMATE TOOL BOX?

TROUBLESHOOTING TOOLS, TIPS AND TRICKS

STEPS TO REMOVE SYSTEM NOISEMAKERS HOW MUCH EXHAUST AIR IS ENOUGH? Follow Us On

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@hpacmag @hpacmag

DECEMBER 2015

VOL. 89 NO. 7

TENTS

32 WHERE’S THE HEAT? Lower cost thermal imaging cameras and their role in the HVAC industry. By Ian McTeer

36 WHAT IS IN YOUR TOOLBOX? A look at what is in one technician’s dream “first response” tool container. By Dave Demma

48 GETTING THE

SILENT TREATMENT

How to identify and fix the primary culprits behind a noisy hydronic system.

By Mike Miller

50 HISTORIC HOME GETS FEDERALLY-FUNDED HVAC RENO

16 UNDERSTANDING, MEASURING AND INTERPRETING RESULTS Harmonics can impact every type of HVAC equipment.

By Frank Healy

20 HEATING A SUPER-INSULATED HOUSE Integrating hydronic radiant heating into homes with low heating loads. By John Siegenthaler

Retrofitting the first prime minister’s 19th century home has its challenges. By Beth McKay

52 WATER CONSERVATION IN COMMERCIAL APPS Selecting the correct equipment and fixtures in a commercial kitchen is pivotal to an optimized hot water system.

By Amin Delagah

54 HOW TO RESOLVE WATER LINE NOISE A look at the causes, the potential risks and the ultimate cure for things that go bump in the night. By Steve Goldie

60 THE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS A recipe for proper kitchen exhaust and make-up air design in single family residences. By Robert Bean

DEPARTMENTS 4 Upfront 6 Feedback 8 News Feature

Bright Business Awards highlight energy efficiency in Nova Scotia

By Beth McKay

28 MAKING THE MOST OF A SMALL SPACE Manufacturers step up with products that work in pint-sized loos. By Beth McKay

HPACMAG.COM

10 Industry News 44 Mechanical Supply News 46 People 57 Training/The Source 59 Calendar

PRODUCTS

26 Hydronic 30 Plumbing 40 HVAC/R 56 Gizmos & Gadgets

DECEMBER 2015 | HPAC

3

< UPFRONT BACK TO BASICS DID YOU KNOW THAT ONTARIO HAS A CONSUMER BEWARE LIST? The Consumer Beware List is a searchable public record maintained by the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services. The ministry advises consumers to check the track record of a company on the Consumer Beware List before they consider doing business with it. I took a look and ran some searches. Happily, our industry is under-represented there.

Businesses on the list have either: not responded to the ministry after being sent two notifications about a consumer complaint, or the company has been charged or convicted in relation to the Consumer Protection Act or other acts of the ministry. Presumably businesses would know that they have made the list.

Consumers in other provinces and territories have to work a little harder to find companies with questionable backgrounds. That has led to a misguided reliance on online reviews. Say what you will about the Ontario ministry site, at least there is clarity about how a company got there and some recourse for the business.

Rather than begging reviews from customers and opening your business up to the challenges of an online presence, perhaps flying under the radar is the best path? To that point, we recently had a boiler issue at the office.

Two companies, one of which the owners had a service contract with, came in to take a look. Both recommended replacement (to the tune of $20,000) and one went so far as to suggest red tagging the appliance.

Enter contractor three. He said that a good cleaning was all that was necessary. And he was right. Companies one and two are high profile in terms of their online presence and branding. Company three is the polar opposite.

He relies on good old fashioned word-of-mouth and is as busy as he wants to be – no surprise.

Editor

All of us at HPAC wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday season!

HPAC MAGAZINE 80 Valleybrook Drive, Toronto, ON M3B 2S9 TEL: 416.442.5600 FAX: 416.510.5140 www.hpacmag.com EDITOR Kerry Turner (416) 510-5218 KTurner@hpacmag.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Beth McKay (416) 510-5215 BMckay@hpacmag.com SALES & MARKETING Kim Rossiter (416) 510-6794 COORDINATOR KRossiter@hpacmag.com ASSOCIATE David Skene (416) 510-6884 PUBLISHER DSkene@hpacmag.com ACCOUNT Stephen Kranabetter (416) 510-6791 MANAGER skranabetter@hpacmag.com ART DIRECTOR Mark Ryan (416) 442-5600, ext. 3541 MRyan@annexnewcom.ca MARKET PRODUCTION Cheryl Fisher (416) 510-5194 MANAGER CFisher@annexnewcom.ca CIRCULATION MANAGER Anita Madden (416) 442-5600 AMadden@annexnewcom.ca PUBLISHER Peter Leonard (416) 510-6847 PLeonard@hpacmag.com

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HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

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RE: WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF SUPERMARKET REFRIGERATION? HPAC OCTOBER 2015 I enjoyed the topic of the article by Dave Demma. It is a very relevant area of focus for our industry, but I do have a few concerns. Specifically, the statement “and existing R-22 supermarkets converting to a lower GWP alternative”…The Montreal Protocol was designed to phase out refrigerants with ODP and has absolutely nothing to do with GWP. With a GWP of 1700, R-22 is actually better than many replacements in this category and is only being driven to phase out by its ODP and the Montreal Protocol. So the existing R-22 supermarkets, which are retrofitting are actually increasing GWP, not reducing it as the article implies.

I also found it interesting that the author didn’t mention the necessity to convert the system to POE oil when discussing the differences between R-407A and R-22.

In addition, it is noted that the major benefit of the natural refrigerants is that “…they are non-ozone depleting…” which is potentially misleading. R-22, the only major ozone depleting refrigerant still in use, is almost phased out.

Every other gas we use in the industry falls under the massive umbrella of non-ozone depleting.

Doug Potvin, Refrigeration Product Manager WWG Totaline, Carrier Enterprise Canada RESPONSE You make some great points. You are correct in stating that R-22 has a very acceptable GWP of 1700. The intent of that statement was to illustrate that R-22 stores are being converted to refrigerants that have a substantially lower GWP than R-404A/R-507.

In the discussion of trends in new supermarket applications, the context of the paragraph was not conversions, but rather looking at the popular refrigerants for new applications. The point of the non ozone depleting reference was simply to illustrate that of the two negative potential environmental impact ratings a refrigerant might carry (ODP and GWP), natural refrigerants are very acceptable in both.

Dave Demma, HPAC columnist EDITOR’S NOTE DuPont is referenced in this article. As noted in HPAC August 2015, DuPont completed the separation of its Performance Chemicals segment on July 1, 2015, through the spin-off of The Chemours Company. Chemours is the supplier of R-449A. 6

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

RE: UNDERSTANDING AND MEASURING HEAT TRANSFER, HPAC OCTOBER 2015 I read the article about heating system sizing by Gilles Legault with great interest. While I agree that it is a definite must for installers to understand how sizing is done, I felt that the article was lacking. The calculation provided only addresses thermal conductivity.

The other issue is that, in Ontario at least, there are certain qualifications required in order to legally perform sizing calculations. For residential it must be in accordance with CAN/CSA F280-12. The person doing the calculations must do so using good engineering practices (the argument being that without formal training such as that from HRAI, you are not qualified).

Finally, unless the person submitting the calculations for permit is the homeowner, they must also be qualified under the classification of either Building Services or HVAC-Home with the Ministry, as well as a qualification of General Legal that proves understanding of the code, as well as maintain errors and omissions insurance.

My concern with the article is that I am worried it would give contractors who are not aware of the above a false sense of security and qualification to adequately size equipment. If they were to use that article exclusively (in Ontario at least) the equipment would not be sized to the standard required by the code.

Niss Feiner, Delta-T Designs, Barrie, ON RESPONSE The federal authorities have given us the CSA F-280 norm in order to guide us in our residential heat loss calculations and they have added the CSA B-214 to the National Building Code.

Unfortunately, very few regions in our country are taking action to ensure that all parties follow both these norms.

Four associations (HRAI, CIPH, TECA and CMMTQ) have formed a partnership in order to promote best practices for our industry. They are all actively promoting hydronic heating and how it should be done but they do not have policing authority. They all have programs where they can certify individuals in the proper ways to design and install hydronic systems.

As professionals we must continue to promote hydronic heating and hence the proper methods to make certain that these systems perform efficiently and maximize comfort. We must continue to teach the industry’s best practices. This has been my goal throughout my career.

Gilles Legault, HPAC contributor HPACMAG.COM

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NEWS FEATURE

SEE THE LATEST HPAC E-NEWSLETTER @ HPACMAG.COM (From left to right) Stephen MacDonald CEO, EfficiencyOne, Ian Storey, founder and president of I.B. Storey and Jack Kyte, board member, EfficiencyOne at the awards ceremony

Bright Business Awards highlight energy efficiency in Nova Scotia After nearly 20 years of specializing in energy cost reduction, Ian Storey is recognized for his efforts in Canada’s east coast.

By Beth McKay

In October, Efficiency Nova Scotia announced its 2015 Bright Business Award winners at the Bright Business Conference at the Cunard Centre in Halifax, NS. These awards recognize both individuals and organizations for their achievements and leadership in the field of energy efficiency.

Ian Storey, founder and president of I.B. Storey based in Charlottetown, PE, has been awarded the Bright Business Leadership award, which

8

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

highlights his significant contributions to the energy efficiency industry. His firm has completed work for an array of projects in Nova Scotia, including healthcare facilities, arenas, multi-purpose recreational buildings and more.

“The leadership award is based on specific criteria, including an ongoing impact, and market impact, in energy efficiency. It isn’t based on one single project, rather it’s a series of proj-

ects,” said Storey. “It is awarded to an individual rather than a company corporation.”

His company, which specializes in energy cost reduction for refrigeration clients, has completed over 40 successful projects in Nova Scotia in the past four years. Additionally, Storey has taken part in over 600 projects throughout North America.

He explained that buildings in the Maritimes are typically decades old, and oftentimes, the facilities are still in operation while work is being done.

“It can be extremely challenging,” he said, “we can’t interrupt the services that are being provided, so there are a lot of logistics to the construction and planning.” Additionally, finding piping routes in older structures is always a retrofitting challenge.

Storey’s repertoire of Nova Scotian clients include the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, the Town of Truro Cougar Dome and Colchester Legion Stadium, as well as Cole Harbour Place. According to a case study completed in June 2014, Cole Harbour Place has saved over 25 per cent of its total energy consumption since undergoing efficiency upgrades with I.B. Storey in 2008. This is nearly $600,000 in energy savings.

Other Bright Business Award winners include the Halifax Regional School Board, Truro Nissan, Intertape Polymer Group and ARCA Canada. www.efficiencyns.ca

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INDUSTRY NEWS

SEE THE LATEST HPAC E-NEWSLETTER @ HPACMAG.COM NEW CODE RESOURCE FOR WATER EFFICIENCY The International Code Council (ICC) and ASHRAE have partnered to publish the 2015 WEP; Water Efficiency Provisions of the International Green Construction Code (IgCC). The publication is a code resource on water conservation and efficiency, and includes water related IgCC provisions to support jurisdictions facing critical water challenges through drought.

The reference is compact and offers indoor and outdoor water efficiency and conservation provisions from the 2015 IgCC and 2015 International Plumbing Code regarding non-potable water systems. It covers efficient plumbing, appliances, landscape irrigation and mechanical systems. Provisions for alternate water sources are also featured. www.ashrae.org

VIEGA SEMINARS EDUCATE AND MOTIVATE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS IN NYC On October 13 and 14, Viega sponsored two full day seminars in New York, NY. The sessions explored two themes entitled Energy and Comfort Performance of Radiant Slab Systems, and Pathogen Risk Reduction by Design.

Nearly 50 industry professionals were present to hear Fred Bauman P.E. of the Center for the Built Environment, University of California, Berkeley, and Tim Keane, consulting engineer at Legionella Risk Management LLC. Bauman’s seminar discussed Thermally Activated Building Systems (TABS). He said that TABS have the ability to pre-cool buildings to reduce peak

cooling loads and are widely accepted in Europe.

“There is still a lack of familiarity of TABS in the building industry, which is why it’s so important to get the word out,” explained Bauman. North Americans also perceive a higher upfront cost, which Bauman said, “is typically not the case.”

On the second day, Keane opened with a discussion about three recent legionnaires’ disease (LD) outbreaks in New York. “These outbreaks were all close together, and all in the same area,” he said, adding that LD is not an old or rare disease, in fact there has been a “huge increase in the past 10 years.”

Keane said that LD outbreaks occur

most frequently in hotels, apartment buildings and medical care facilities and have been sourced to aerosols including cooling towers, showers, decorative fountains, ice machines and more. Interestingly, he said it is often newer facilities that host LD outbreaks, (Look for Keane’s article on this topic in HPAC October, 2015, p26, at www.hpacmag.com). www.viega.us

NB POWER RE-EVALUATES POSITION ON HEAT PUMP RENTALS Last year, apparent plans to introduce a heat pump (HP) rental program caused some concern for the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Institute of Canada (HRAI) Atlantic Chapter members. They expressed reservations about NB Power (formerly known as the New Brunswick Power Corporation and the New Brunswick Electric Power Commission) stepping

over the line that separates regulated monopoly energy market from the competitive HVAC/R market.

Following initial meetings with HRAI, NB Power announced that the company had “re-evaluated [its] approach

The Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium is the second building in Montreal to receive the LEED NC 1.0 – Platinum certification.

10

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

Photo: istockphoto

PLATINUM AWARD FOR EFFICIENT PLANETARIUM Montréal Space for Life, the largest natural science museum complex in Canada, announced in October that the Canada Green Building Council has awarded the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) NC 1.0 – Platinum certification.

In the LEED system, the platinum level is the highest distinction for

green buildings whether it is a new construction or a major renovation.

The Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium received a score of 55 out of 70 making it the fourth building in Quebec to receive the certification.

The planetarium complies with the certification requirements by collecting rainwater, which is used for watering outdoor gardens as well as supplying water to facility toilets. The building also offers abundant natural daylight and boasts high efficiency lighting fixtures and motion detectors.

According to a press release, the planetarium has had nearly 770 000 visitors since its opening in 2013, and will soon offer visitors a tour route with commentary on some of the LEED elements as part of the new Montréal Space for Life app. www.espacepourlavie.ca

Fred Bauman answers a question from a seminar attendee about radiant systems.

HPACMAG.COM

and has determined not to proceed with the rental program.” On October 21, 2015, NB Power updated members of HRAI’s Atlantic Chapter and confirmed that it had abandoned the concept of setting up a rental program based on the feedback they received from HRAI members and industry stakeholders since December 2014.

The utility’s goals remain to: increase the sale of high efficiency ductless heat pumps (DHPs) in the province, improve homeowners’ purchase decisions and reduce “winter peak” demand by promoting cold climate products that will still provide a reasonable coefficient of performance (COP) at temperatures of -20C or lower.

Effective October 1, 2015, NB Power is offering a $500 point of sale, aftertax discount for ENERGY STAR Certified HPs with SEER of 18, HSPF of 8.7 (Zone V), as well as cold climate ductless mini-split heat pumps. Under the terms of the program, participating contractors sell eligible heat pumps to clients at the regular price (+ HST), less $500, and NB Power reimburses the contractor for each qualifying HP sold (after October 1).

HRAI expressed concerns about how NB Power selects its “Participating Contractors,” but has learned that, after April 1, 2016, “Participating Contractors” will need to meet additional certification criteria to stay enrolled in the program. Furthermore, homeowners will be encouraged to ask contractors to “Show me your card” (trade licence), similar to the marketing message used in the Heat Pump Quality Assurance program that was rolled out in Nova Scotia. www.hrai.ca www.nbpower.com TONY DEAN COMPLETES REVIEW OF THE ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TRADES Former Secretary of Cabinet Tony Dean released his much anticipated report, Supporting a Strong and Sustainable Ontario College of Trades (OCOT), on November 20, 2015. The HPACMAG.COM

NGWA PUBLISHES NEW GUIDANCE FOR GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS The National Groundwater Association (NGWA) Press has released its newest guidelines entitled Understanding Hydrogeology and its Impact on LargeScale Geothermal Heat Pump Systems. Prepared by the NGWA, the guidelines support installation and the ongoing operation of high-performance geothermal heat pump (GHP) systems with a focus on the protection of groundwater and the optimal performance of the well field.

The cover of the latest According to a press release from the NGWA, site NGWA guidelines. geology and groundwater hydrogeology strongly influence the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of a GHP system – but these are often the least-understood aspects of an installation. The guidelines aim to bridge the gap between existing HVAC literature and geothermal heat pump industry training.

Topics covered in the book include site constraints, drilling, regulations and requirements, the fundamentals of large-scale systems, and more. www.myngwa.org Ontario government has stated its support for the recommendations and will bring forward proposed legislative changes in the spring legislative session.

Dean received 109 submissions and held meetings with over 300 individuals and organizations since being commissioned to create the report in October 2014.

The review’s 31 recommendations address four primary areas: scopes of practice; trade classification and reclassification reviews; ratio reviews; and enforcement.

Dean has recommended that there is a need to review and update trade scopes of practice – work that the College itself had already begun.

Moving forward, the College would lead a review process that would include collaboration between trade boards and other stakeholders.

The report recommends changes to ensure that the process to apply for trade re-classification is transparent, inclusive, evidence-based and driven by the public interest. It goes on to recommend that independent experts be used to ensure a strong and clear process, while keeping the process external to government. All trades that

made applications prior to Dean’s review would maintain their place in the queue to apply for compulsory status under the new process.

The status of existing compulsory trades would not be impacted by any changes to the classification review process. Changes to the review process include allowing review panels to request their own evidence and research to inform decisions.

Dean recommends that the College adopt a policy-based approach to enforcement that prevents unlicensed workers from practicing compulsory trades and that targets high-risk activities and the underground economy. It was also suggested that the College’s Board of Governors establish a compliance and enforcement committee to inform this policy.

A new appeal mechanism to the Ontario Labour Relations Board would also be established to address any future cases that arise in which College of Trades enforcement clashes with the Ontario Labour Relations Board jurisprudence and workplace-based agreements. The College would have standing before the Ontario Labour Relations Board if an appeal were

Continued on p12 DECEMBER 2015 | HPAC

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< INDUSTRY NEWS continued from 11

WATERSMART ISSUES A CALL FOR ABSTRACTS Experts in the field of water efficiency are being invited to submit abstracts for the ninth annual WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition. The conference is being held October 5 to 7, 2016 in Las Vegas.

The deadline for receipt of abstracts is February 5, 2016.

Candidates chosen as presenters will be notified of their selection by April 11, 2016. www.watersmartinnovations.com BC CONTRACTORS NOW REQUIRED TO SPONSOR APPRENTICES To support the growth of the BC apprenticeship system, the BC government now requires contactors and subcontractors to engage in apprenticeship training on new, major infrastructure projects.

The Apprentices on Public Projects policy began on

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HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

July 1, 2015, and applies to infrastructure projects that are valued at $15 million or more. This requirement affects all Red Seal trades used on in-scope government funded projects, which includes the HVAC/R industries.

Greg Knight, president of Georgia Mechanical Systems Ltd. in Burnaby, BC, says that this policy is good except that his company, and most others, will not be affected by it. He says, “We always have, and always will have, apprentices in our employ.”

Similarly, Dave Erb from Erb Technical Contracting Ltd. in Saanichton, BC says that overall this is a step in the right di-

Continued on p14 PHASE TWO OF HARMONIZATION INITIATIVE LAUNCHES In 2013, the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) Harmonization Initiative was launched to substantively align apprenticeship systems across Canada by making training requirements more consistent Jeff Ritter (left), CCDA in the Red Seal trades. chair, presents the The initiative aims to improve 2015 Red Seal Award of Excellence to Mark the mobility of apprentices, sup- Douglas (right). port an increase in their completion rates and enable employers to access a larger pool or apprentices.

Four key harmonization priorities have been identified and include: use of Red Seal trade names, consistent total training hours (in-school and on-the-job), same number of training levels, and more consistent sequencing of training content using the most recent National Occupational Analysis.

The CCDA has announced the launch of phase two of the Harmonization Initiative to be implemented by September 2017. The next set of trades to undergo harmonization include: automotive service technician, truck and transport mechanic, agricultural equipment technician, construction engineer, industrial electrician, industrial mechanic, plumber and steamfitter/pipefitter.

The first 10 trades in the process of harmonizing are underway, and implementation of harmonized training should be in place by September 2016 for these trades.

Additionally, the 2015 Red Seal Award of Excellence (RSAE) was presented to Mark Douglas, former executive director of apprenticeship and industry training in Alberta.

Douglas has worked as a Red Seal Journeyperson electrician, post secondary instructor and has spent 25 years with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. www.red-seal.ca

Photo: Red Seal Secretariat

made and the Board would have regard to, among other things, the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act 2009, when making decisions.

At press time, trades groups have come out on both sides of the fence, with some praising the report and others harshly criticizing it. www.tcu.gov.on.ca

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< INDUSTRY NEWS continued from 13 rection for the industry, but adds, “Where I worry is, are we able to sustain the apprentices through their years in this industry? What usually happens is there is a push for these jobs, just like there is now with this policy, but half the kids [who participate] are only there to get a job. They aren’t there to learn and get a career.” He added that it will take time to see how this program will affect the industry.

The government is also encouraging public sector organizations and projects with a total provincial investment of less than $15 million to engage in apprenticeship training. This is to help ensure that BC tradespersons are educated to fill the expected one million job openings between now and 2022. www2.gov.bc.ca

The 2015 AHR Expo in

THE 2016 AHR EXPO IS RIGHT Chicago attracted over 60 000 registered AROUND THE CORNER attendees and 40 000 The International Air-Conditioning, visitors.

Heating, Refrigeration (AHR) Exposition is set to take place January 25 to 27 in Orlando, FL., at the Orange County Convention Center.

The event attracts over 60 000 professionals and will have over 2 000 exhibitors. Over 80 per cent of the show exhibitors are expected to unveil and showcase new or upgraded products, systems and technologies. The Expo will host free seminars and certification exams presented by industry groups.

The 2016 AHR Expo Innovation Award winners will be recognized in a formal ceremony at the Expo. The annual awards competition honours inventive and original products, systems and technologies on display at the event.

The singular 2016 AHR Expo Product of the Year winner will also be announced at the formal ceremony.

The Expo is held concurrently with the ASHRAE Winter Conference taking place at the Orlando Hilton. Topics from building automation and control, to energy efficiency and renewable energy will be covered, while other topics include indoor air quality, software, plumbing and heating. www.ahrexpo.com www.ashrae.org 14

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

LONG TIME NEBB BOARD MEMBER NAMED PRESIDENT The National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB) has named Jean-Paul Leblanc, NEBB CP, as the 2015-2016 NEBB president. Leblanc is the owner and president of Hydrauliques R&O Services Inc., located in Montreal, QC. In 1988 he became a NEBB certified professional in air and hydronics and was active in the NEBB Canada chapter during the same year. Leblanc served twice as the chapter president. Now in his eleventh year on the board of directors, he has chaired the NEBB executive/finance committee, serving one term in each position. www.nebb.org MOBILITY TOOL HELPS APPRENTICES ON THE MOVE On the Move: Resources for Apprentice Relocation, was recently introduced to more than 130 apprenticeship stakeholders at an event hosted by the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAD-FCA) in Ottawa, ON in October.

The online labour mobility tool is a one-stop reference for apprentices who relocate prior to being certified. It is also for employers who hire apprentices from other parts of the country. It outlines apprenticeship regulations, inter-provincial agreements, and the processes to support recognition of previous on-the-job hours and technical training. Newcomers to Canada can also access the information about the trade qualifier process in each province and territory.

In a press release Sarah Watts-Rynard, CAF-FCA’s executive director, said that, “there was a common misperception that moving between provinces and territories during apprenticeship training would be a step backward in the journey to certification. For apprentices committed to completing their training and being certified, moving to another part of Canada was something they avoided because they were worried their past experience wouldn’t count.”

On the Move requires apprentices and employers to answer four questions about their place of origin, destination and the sector in which they work. The online system then offers information specific to each apprentice’s situation. www.caf-fca.org REFRIGERANT MANAGEMENT CANADA: BY THE INDUSTRY, FOR THE INDUSTRY Refrigerant Management Canada (RMC) held its 15th annual general meeting on November 12, 2015 at the Four Points by Sheraton – Toronto Airport in Mississauga, ON. RMC is a not-for-profit corporation established by the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) and the Canadian refrigeration and air conditioning industry. “RMC was developed for the industry, by the industry,” said Warren Heeley, HRAI president. “I recall people saying “It won’t work.”

HPACMAG.COM

New RMC chair Marie Li-Ying with past chair Robert Flipse of Gordon Latham.

Nick Reggi explained the complexities of R22 Refrigerant System Conversions to seminar delegates at RMC’s AGM.

“The mandate of RMC never came forward in regulations.

The industry forged ahead with RMC because it was good for the environment,” stated Heeley.

Looking ahead, the Proposed Pollution Prevention (P2) Planning Notice in Respect of Halocarbons Used as a Refrigerant is expected to result in RMC accepting HFCs. “This marks the culmination of eight years of work, and means the program has a sustainable future,” said Heeley.

The event also featured a seminar on R22 Refrigerant System Conversions with Nick Reggi, CMS. He explained the challenges and technical issues with refrigerant conversions in the residential and light commercial refrigerant sectors. www.hrai.ca BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND ADVISES SMACNA SPEAKER The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA) held its 72nd annual convention at the Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs at the end of September and attracted nearly 30 Canadian attendees.

The convention had four market sector council forums that delivered sessions tailored to meet the needs of contractors in the architectural, HVAC, industrial and residential markets.

The HVAC Contractors Forum was presented by Dennis Sowards, Quality Support Services Inc. The forum, which was entitled “Make your project planning and scheduling a game changer,” and covered tips to improve performance by planning effectively. He noted that, “On average crews are doing the work they planned to do for the week only 54 per cent of the time.”

Sowards suggested that a six-week “look-ahead” will improve performance through planning, and offered samples of how it should be composed. He said to begin each project “with the end in mind.”

The 2016 SMACNA annual convention will be held October 16 to 19 in Phoenix, AZ. www.smacna.org HPACMAG.COM

SEVEN RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED FOR BC SAFETY AUTHORITY’S 2015 LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SAFETY AWARD Seven recipients from multiple technology sectors have received BC’s highest safety honour at BC Safety Authority’s 9th Annual Lieutenant Governor Safety Awards. The awards, which were presented by BC Safety Authority on November 23, recognized individuals and organizations that demonstrate exceptional leadership, achievement or innovation in the promotion of technical systems safety in BC. Hennie Prinsloo of the International Pressure Equipment Integrity Association received a Lieutenant Governor Safety Award in the Excellence in Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety category.

Prinsloo was born and educated as a metallurgical engineer in South Africa and immigrated to Canada in 1988. His experience in Canada focused on pressure equipment integrity engineering, including the development and management of pressure equipment integrity and safety awareness training for clients in the oil industry. He served as chief inspector for several oil and gas producers, and has been a member of the International Pressure Equipment Integrity Association (IPEIA) steering committee since 2007. www.safetyauthority.ca

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DECEMBER 2015 | HPAC

15

< HARMONICS

Understanding, measuring and interpreting results From minor control trips to compressor and transformer failures, harmonics can impact every type of HVAC equipment. BY FRANK HEALY

phase reversal had occurred–this is generally an installation issue. Investigation revealed that both the compressor and the condenser pump drive appeared to be operating normally. While the problem causing these nuisance trips could be a component in the control panel itself, another candidate, often overlooked, was harmonics.

HARMONIC CURRENTS AND THE ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

A

technician recently documented the fault codes received when a chiller circuit tripped. A close look at the chiller revealed that the indicated faults did not match up to what was going on

16

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

with the unit. Diagnostics indicated the chiller had undergone a “phase reversal” and, sometime later, a “compressor motor overload.” Also, a “condenser pump variable speed drive fault” warning had been received. It is highly unlikely that a

Harmonic currents flow in a circuit at multiples of the fundamental 60 hertz (Hz) frequency. For example, current flowing in a circuit at 180 Hz is the third harmonic (60 Hz multiplied by three).

Such currents are not directly indicated on multimeters and are usually not found until unusual control and equipment problems begin to surface.

Comparing the current readings from an average-responding meter to that of a good quality true-rms meter on the same circuit will help indicate harmonic issues. The average-responding meter will indicate only the 60 hertz current and the true-rms meter will indicate a combination of 60 hertz and harmonic currents. The production and reflection of these harmonic currents back into the electrical distribution system can cause problems.

Here are some examples of harmonic issues: • Improper operation of control circuits • Faulty shutdowns of electronically controlled chillers and air handler units (AHUs) • Overheating of solenoid coils, requiring replacement HPACMAG.COM

• Overheating of 480 volt transformers supplying 208Y/120 volt HVAC systems • Overheating of fan and chilled water pump motors With some basic understanding, today’s professional technicians and engineers can isolate harmonic problems to their source and mitigate their effects by either replacing the offending item or installing harmonic filters.

Modern electronic circuits must convert the supplied 60 Hz alternating current (ac) into direct current (dc) since the electronics operate using dc voltage and current. The waveform of the current drawn by these electronic loads reveals that the current waveform does not correspond to the voltage waveform applied. Thus, such electronic loads are referred to as “nonlinear” loads. These nonlinear loads produce the harmonic currents reflected back into the system. Harmonic currents appear across a wide spectrum, but generally diminish as the frequencies get higher and higher (see Figure 1).

While different harmonic frequencies produce their own unique effect in a circuit, when combined they distort the original 60 Hz sine wave. Distorted power at the input to electronic equipment can cause the erroneous trips and alarms sometimes occurring in control circuits. Some harmonic currents produce excessive heat. Other harmonics actually produce a reverse torque in motors–reducing efficiency and overheating motors.

FINDING THE ROOT CAUSE Troubleshooting in any circuit means properly identifying the root cause of the problem and isolating the source.

If routine troubleshooting checks in an electrical circuit with nonlinear loads do not reveal the problem, consider looking for harmonics.

To make an initial test for the presence of harmonics, measure with a clamp meter that is capable of indicating total harmonic distortion (THD).

HPACMAG.COM

Figure 1 Nonlinear load. Observing one single-phase set of voltage and current sine waves drawn by a variable frequency drive (VFD) readily shows that the current waveform (lower) does not conform at all to the voltage waveform applied. Such nonlinear loads produce harmonic currents that flow into the distribution system.

Figure 2 Harmonics. In this power quality analyzer screenshot, the harmonic frequencies appear on the harmonic axis. The percent to which the specific harmonic frequency is a component of the fundamental 60 Hz frequency appears on the vertical axis. The cursor has been placed over the third harmonic frequency, and this third harmonic current appears to represent approximately 25 per cent of the 60 Hz frequency.

THD provides one figure to indicate the total of the harmonics present. THD for voltage should not exceed five per cent and can be easily read on a clamp meter. THD for current will run considerably higher.

Excessive THD for voltage means any of the previously mentioned problems can be occurring and corrective action should be taken. To get more detailed information, use a power quality analyzer to further investigate the magni-

tude and effects of the individual harmonics.

The power quality analyzer measures the level of each harmonic frequency as well as many other issues related to power quality. Power quality analyzers are available for both single-phase and three-phase circuits. They are generally placed on the circuit for a period of time to record disturbances in the line power. Data can later be downloaded to a PC for analysis.

In addition to measuring harmonics, power quality analyzers record other disturbances that can cause malfunction of control circuits. For example, “swells” are increases in voltage above the rated values and can damage equipment. “Dips” are decreases in the applied voltage and will causes spurious shutdowns and false alarms in variable frequency drive (VFD) and programmable logic controller (PLC) circuits.

THD and harmonic levels should be measured at the point of common coupling (PCC). When troubleshooting, the PCC is the point at which the nonlinear loads suspected of causing the problem connect to the remainder of the distribution system. For example, a quick check at the motor control center (MCC) cubicle supplying a VFD will indicate whether the VFD is creating a potential harmonic problem.

Look for THD for voltage approaching five per cent and check for the presence and the levels of different harmonic frequencies (see Figure 2).

Harmonic output from the VFD will vary as the VFD output varies. It may be necessary to set up the power quality analyzer to record values for a period of time, because ventilation system requirements vary.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FIND EXCESSIVE HARMONICS If you find excessive harmonics, look at each case individually and then make decisions. You can purchase harmonic filters and place them as

Continued on p18 DECEMBER 2015 | HPAC

17

< HARMONICS continued from 17 MEASURING AND INTERPRETING HARMONIC NUMBERS Harmonic numbers are assigned in their relationship to the fundamental (or 60 Hz) frequency. To find the frequency of the harmonic current, multiply the harmonic number by the first, or fundamental, frequency of 60 Hz. Harmonic Number

Frequency of Harmonic Current

HARMONIC EFFECTS All harmonics tend to distort the origi-

nal fundamental 60 Hz sine wave. The total harmonic distortion (THD) for the voltage sine wave should not exceed five per cent when measured on a power quality analyzer. Many VFDs in use today are six-pulse drives (six diodes in their converter circuits). These drives produce harmonics at the 5th, 11th, 13th, 17th, 19th, etc. If high levels of harmonics exist at these frequencies, consider placing a filter on the input power to the drive.

Basic troubleshooting steps to isolate harmonics (Be sure to follow electrical safety requirements.)

1. Check possible causes unrelated to harmonics A) Inputs and outputs to electronic controls B) Faulty relays, sensors, etc.

close as possible to the equipment producing the harmonic currents. It is best to consult the manufacturer of the equipment, or an outside engineering consultant, to find the best harmonic filter for the problem. There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to such filters. You must consider the size of the load and the particular harmonics being generated.

Another alternative is to isolate the problem equipment using an isolation transformer. Relocating either the nonlinear load causing the problem, or the affected circuit to another distribution panel, may help. For example, if the affected controls are supplied from the same panelboard as the nonlinear load causing the problem, moving the control circuit to another panelboard may help alleviate the problem. Harmonic problems tend to diminish moving farther away from the nonlinear load.

Figure 3 Ventilation controls, such as the electronics and PLC in the left-hand side of this cabinet, can be affected by harmonics--resulting in improper operation of the controlled equipment.

18

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

Determine the possibility of har2. monics in the distribution system by taking clamp ammeter readings with an instrument that measures total harmonic distortion.

3. Use a power quality analyzer to identify the harmonic frequencies present and their magnitudes. Record values over time at the feeder supplying the equipment.

4. Verify that total harmonic distortion (THD) for voltage does not exceed five per cent. This is the generally accepted maximum value and would indicate potential problems.

5.

Corrective action often includes a specially purchased filter placed on the input power to the load producing the harmonics. This minimizes the reflection of harmonic currents back into the distribution system.

EFFECTS ON HVAC EQUIPMENT

water pumps, and cooling tower fans.

Control circuits contain PLCs and proprietary electronic circuits that maintain temperatures, flow rates, and pressures (see Figure 3). While VFDs are examples of nonlinear loads causing many harmonic problems, other sources of harmonics can range from copy machines in office areas to a neighboring plant on the same electric utility supply line.

The effects of harmonics on HVAC equipment may be nuisance trips on controls or major motor or transformer failures. Initial checks using two clamp meters may easily identify potential harmonic issues. However, the power quality analyzer is the key to measuring, isolating, and correcting harmonic problems. Modern HVAC equipment requires engineers and technicians to understand the cause and effect of harmonics, and how to measure and interpret harmonic values if related problems are to be solved.

Today’s HVAC electrical equipment is a combination of three-phase VFDs supplying fan motors, compressors,

Frank Healy is a product marketing manager with Fluke Corporation.

HPACMAG.COM

< HYDRONICS

The Saskatchewan Conservation House, which was built in 1977, was later sold as a private residence. A garage was added at the back of the property and the solar thermal collectors were removed because of servicing issues.

Heating a super-insulated house Full coverage radiant floors may not be the best choice. BY JOHN SIEGENTHALER

20

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

Here is an example: Consider a 2000 sq. ft. super-insulated home with a design heat loss of 18 000 Btuh. Assume that 90 per cent of the floor area in this house is heated (e.g.1800 square feet). The required upward heat flux from the floor at design conditions is:

heat flux=

design load 18,000 Btu/hr Btu = =10 floor area 1,800 square feet hr•ft 2

Now consider the floor surface temperature needed to release heat at this rate. The commonly accepted upward 2 heat flow coefficient for heated floors is 2.0 Btuh/ft /ºF difference between the floor surface and room air temperatures. This can be represented by:

FORMULA 1

q = 2.0 × (T f − Tr ) WHERE:

Photo Harold Orr

D

oes the term “super-insulated house” ring a bell with some of you? It was first hyped in the later 1970s to describe houses with extremely well insulated thermal envelopes.

The Saskatchewan Conservation House, built near Regina in 1977, and shown above, was revolutionary for its time.

Imagine R-30+ walls, R-60 ceilings, (currently available) R-8 windows. Today it is relatively easy to construct a 2000 square foot home with a design heating load of 20 000 Btuh or less, even in a very cold climate. Construction techniques that are available include structural insulated panels (SIPs), insulated concrete forms (ICFs) and double wall construction.

It is often possible to show a better financial return for super-insulation upgrades to code minimum thermal envelopes, compared to spending equivalent funds on complex controls, heat sources, or other hardware associated with a typical floor heating system.

However, houses with very low heating loads do pose some challenges when it comes to integrating hydronic radiant heating. Chief among them is that the floor will rarely feel warm.

This happens because the rate of heat release from each square foot of floor is so low.

Tf = average floor surface temperature (ºF) Tr = room air temperature (ºF) 2 q = heat flux (Btu/hr/ft ) HPACMAG.COM

2

To deliver 10 Btuh/ft the floor only has to exceed the room temperature by 5F. Thus, for a room at 68F the average floor surface temperature is only about 73F, and that is on the coldest day of the year.

If you put your hand or bare foot on a surface at 73F it will not feel as though it is heating the space. Some might even say such a floor feels slightly cool to the touch. That is because your bare skin temperature is typically 80F to 84F. The house will maintain the desired indoor air temperature but the cozy “warm floor” effect so prevalently advertised by companies selling radiant floor heating is simply not there.

Figure 1 shows a thermal image taken after a bare foot was placed on a “heated” floor slab for about one minute, and then lifted. You can see that tubing carrying warm water is embedded in the slab in the proximity of the footprint.

The colours correspond to the temperature scale at the right of the image. They indicate that the bottom of the foot was warmer than the floor surface. In this situation heat was moving downward from the foot to the floor.

Figure 1

Whether such a situation creates a “problem” depends on what the installer stated they would deliver, and what the customer expects.

If the installer created the perception that the floors would feel “toasty warm” the customer is likely to be disappointed.

Their retort will be that they “paid for warm floors,” and the floors they got are not warm to the touch. The fact that the system is still maintaining the thermostat at the setpoint and that the heat source is running at high efficiency is not likely to appease their dashed expectations.

COOL ALTERNATIVES Some would argue that hydronic floor heating in low energy use houses should be abandoned in favour of forced air delivery from devices such as high wall fan coils supplied by a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system. However, just beHPACMAG.COM

cause “full coverage” floor heating does not fit the situation does not mean that other hydronic solutions are not possible.

If your customer insists that they want warm floors in their low energy use house you must reduce the surface area of the radiant panel.

Our industry’s current approach to floor heating is to convert all available floor area into heated floor area. This design approach comes from wanting maximum heat output capability in houses with lots of windows or other details that tend to drive up heat loads. Distributing heat output over maximum surface area lowers the system’s operating temperature, which improves the efficiency of modern heat sources such as condensing boilers and hydronic heat pumps. From the standpoint of sales, this also maximizes the amount of tubing and related hardware sold into the project.

This approach was not always used. Early designers of floor heating systems, using copper tubing, often sized a heated floor panel area for each room based on the heating Figure 2

load of that room. Tubing would only be installed within these areas. I did this back in 1980 when installing copper tubing for floor heating in my own house. Figure 2 shows an infrared thermograph of the floor area in my dining area.

You can see that only a limited floor area has tubing beneath it. This floor operates at a water supply temperature of about 125F on very cold days, and comfortably heats the area it is assigned to. The floor area under the table is definitely “barefoot friendly” on those cold days, while the other tiled floor areas feel noticeably cooler.

If your client wants noticeably warm floor areas in their low energy use house, consider limiting the heat to “strategic” areas that are mutually acceptable to you and your client. Think carefully about where the tubing will go. Avoid locations such as closets, under cabinets, or areas where

Continued on p22

DECEMBER 2015 | HPAC

21

< HYDRONICS continued from 21

the floor is likely to be covered with furniture or area rugs.

Favour locations such as bathroom and kitchen floors, and floor areas close to larger windows or doors.

Reducing the heated area of the floor by half doubles the required upward heat flux. This in turn doubles the temperature difference between the floor surface and room air.

For example, instead of operating the entire floor area at 2 a design flux of 10 Btuh/ft you could heat half the floor area 2 at a flux of 20 Btuh/ft . This allows the average floor surface temperature to be about 10 degrees F above the room temperature. Although still not likely to be considered toasty, this surface temperature is more likely to be perceived as comfortably warm.

You can use Formula 2, which is just a rearrangement of Formula 1, to estimate the average floor surface temperature based on a given rate of upward heat flux and room temperature.

FORMULA 2

q T f = Tr + 2

the majority of the floor area, have redeeming qualities.

First, these floors allow for very low supply water temperatures, often in the range of 10 to 15F above the desired indoor room temperature. This provides maximum efficiency for heat sources such as mod/con boiler, heat pumps, and solar thermal collectors.

Second, because the average floor surface temperature is only one to 5F above the desired room temperature, these floors are less prone to creating objectionable temperature overshoot in spaces where sudden internal heat gains from sunlight, people, or use of electrical appliances can occur. A slight increase in indoor air temperature will quickly suppress further heat output from the floor.

NOT JUST FLOORS Radiant walls and ceilings are another good option. Consider wall heating from just above the baseboard to the windowsill or chair rail height. Figure 3 shows an infrared thermoFigure 3

WHERE: Tf = average floor surface temperature (ºF) Tr = room air temperature (ºF) 2 q = heat flux (Btu/hr/ft )

THE COOLER SIDE OF FLOOR HEATING If “toasty warm” floors are not the prime concern, one can make the argument that low surface temperature heated floors in low energy use buildings, with tubing installed over

Continued on p24

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HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

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Figure 5 Thermostatic operator Towel warmer radiator TRV

panel radiators

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Figure 4

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

pressure regulated circulator

Manifold station

One of my favorite heat emitter systems ! for low energy use buildings is comair to water heat pump prised of panel radiators, each equipped with a thermostatic radiator valve and all connected by a homerun distribution system. This combination can be supplied by a range of high performance heat sources. These include the “low ambient” air-to-water heat pumps now available in North America.

Figure 5 shows the schematic of a combisystem supplied from such a heat pump. It provides space heating, single zone cooling and domestic water heating.

This approach also gives you the advantage of room-byroom temperature control with very low mass heat emitters.

When internal heat gains occur, the heat output from such a panel can stop very quickly. Room-by-room zoning, especially with wireless thermostatic radiator valves is simple and less expensive than equivalent zoning using a forced air system.

24

thermostatically ! controlled! electric tankless! water heater

INSIDE

graph of a heated “knee wall” that is only four feet tall, yet easily heats a room that is 14 feet wide. Notice how the six inch wide aluminum plates installed over the ½" PEX-AL-PEX tubing do a good job of diffusing heat across the majority of the wall area. Although the colours in Figure 3 look “intense,” this wall is just slightly warm to the touch on a cold winter day.

Figure 4 shows a four-foot wide strip of heated ceiling at the perimeter of the room rather than across the entire ceiling.

Both of these radiant panels have very low thermal mass allowing rapid response to internal heat gains. Both will also provide interior surfaces that are slightly warmer than those provided by full coverage floor heating.

OUTSIDE

< HYDRONICS continued from 22

(P1)

(HX1)

heat! exchanger

NOTE: Insulate and vapour seal all piping and components carrying chilled fluids

(AH1)

antifreeze in cooling circuit

single zone cooling

Given the low heating loads you can size the panel rads for relatively low water temperature. I recommend outdoor reset to control the water temperature in the buffer tank and a supply water temperature no higher than 120F under design load conditions. This keeps the heat pump or other high performance heat source operating at high efficiency while still providing noticeably warm panel surfaces during cold weather.

A carefully planned hydronic system can serve the heating needs of super-insulated houses, as well as multi-million Btuh loads of private castles. In both cases it is important to think beyond satisfying the thermostat to how the system will “feel” to the occupants. In the end it is not just about efficiency.

Unfulfilled expectations, especially those involving personal comfort, do not lead to satisfied customers.

John Siegenthaler, P.E., is a mechanical engineering graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a licensed professional engineer.

His book Heating with Renewable Energy will be released in January 2016. Siegenthaler is an associate professor emeritus of engineering technology at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, NY. HPACMAG.COM

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< PLUMBING The ModulR from MAAX has multiple configurations of tub and shower. It offers a minimalist design and a space saving solution. www.maax.com

MAKING THE MOST OF A

SMALL SPACE Manufacturers step up with products that work in pint-sized loos. By Beth McKay

A

ccording to an October 2015 report from Urbanation, a company that tracks Toronto’s high rise condo market, the average condo size in Toronto has dropped to 743 ft² – that is 24 ft² less than the reports from 2014.

So, what does this decreased size, in an already compact living space, mean for typically the smallest room in a home? The bathroom must also take a hit in the drive to reduce square footage. Aside from painting the walls light colours, and choosing minimalistic designs, there are ways to seemingly increase space by selecting appropriate fixtures.

Aude Simard, shower doors and kits product marketing manager for MAAX Bath, says it is important to make 28

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

sure to utilize the corners of the room to their full potential, otherwise corners can become wasted space. “A corner tub can create space in a small room, it gets rid of the need to have room on two of the sides of the tub,” says Simard.

She further explained that MAAX asked designers who specialize in condos in Toronto and Vancouver, about the best ways to approach the layout for small bathrooms.

The designers were presented with full size tubs and showers, as well as half size fixtures that fit more readily in small spaces. “What we have seen from these designers, is they would rather jeopardize either the tub or the shower in order to get one of the components in full size, rather than have two half size appliances,” Simard says.

“With some people living in 500 square feet, a tub is HPACMAG.COM

The San Souci one-piece toilet from Kohler features a compact, elongated bowl, AquaPiston technology and is available in 10 colours. Its dimensions are 27-3/4"x16-3/8"x25-5/16". www.ca.kohler.com

The Zendo Zoop11 from Riobel is a wall-mounted lavatory open spout faucet. It features a ceramic cartridge and comes in two finishes. www.riobel.ca

simply a space luxury that can’t be afforded,” says Lisa Canning, interior designer and TV personality for HGTV’s Marriage Under Construction. She explained that walk in showers save space in tight places and are a great focal point for a small bathroom. Canning also suggests that, when possible, contractors should add a small niche in showers to provide extra storage for frequently-used products.

Storage is key in a tiny bathroom and a vanity is one way to keep clutter it to a minimum. “A compact, floating vanity will instantly create a modern aesthetic,” says Canning. Alternatively, a report from Kohler suggests using a wall mounted or pedestal sink. Though these styles do not offer a lot of storage space, their small size leaves room for a console table. According to the report from HPACMAG.COM

The Box Uno vanity from Aquabrass is mounted on the wall and has a ceramic top. It comes in three finishes and brings a contemporary touch to the bathroom. www.aquabrass.com

The Secant from Newport Brass is a single-hole faucet featuring solid brass construction. It is available in 27 finishes. www.newportbrass.com

Kohler, console tables expand the perception of space because of their slender leg design.

The faucet in a tiny bathroom is the jewellery piece, “so it is important to choose it properly in terms of size and height,” says Kathleen Saint-Yves, marketing manager at Riobel. She suggests a single hole or wall-mounted faucet as they complement small rooms.

Upgrading a toilet to a compact model will create a sleek aesthetic for the room. “I’m a fan of a one piece toilet. In a small bathroom, I try to eliminate as much visual clutter as possible – so the simple form of a one piece toilet is so appealing to me,” says Canning. Some companies also offer tankless and wall mounted varieties that leave the wall behind the toilet exposed. Canning says this space is great for additional storage, like a closed wall cabinet to hide clutter.

DECEMBER 2015 | HPAC

29

PLUMBING PRODUCTS Double drop elbow fit-

SureSeal

Vent-Guard

Matco-Norca now

tings from Viega are

by RectorSeal Corp. is

offers a line of

made to maintain water

available in three siz-

lead free brass

quality by reducing stag-

es to fit 2-, 3- and

PEX fittings that can be used with

nation. The flow-through

4-inch diameter commercial building plumbing vent

PEX tubing.

style

have

stacks and restaurant grease interceptor vents. Vent-

PEX fittings product line includes

threaded fixture connec-

Guard introduces outdoor air through a non-mechanical

couplings, crimp rings, adapters, el-

tions and integrated mounting brackets. They

hinged flapper that automatically opens during vacuum

bows, plugs, tees and more.

are used in series or ring installations, and can

occurrences caused by vent stack pressure imbalances.

www.matco-norca.com

be used in hot or cold water systems. This

Otherwise, the flapper remains tightly sealed. www.rec-

type of system also minimizes dead legs be-

torseal.com

fittings

The lead free brass

tween tees and wall penetrations. www.viega.com

Webstoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s line of PEX valves now includes

cold-expansion

ASTM

F1960 PEX sillcocks and ball

The Stout Bracket #SB3 and #SB4

valves. These items offer stainless

from HoldRite provides engineered

steel handles, are lead free com-

multi-purpose telescoping support.

pliant and are guaranteed for life.

It is compatible with PEX, CPVC,

www.webstonevalves.com

PVC, ABS, cast iron, gas piping, stainless steel and EMT. Fittings

Rinnai has introduced the Demand

can be mounted with solder or glue.

Duo commercial hybrid water heat-

The interlocking tab is designed to

ing system. The Demand Duo pro-

prevent accidental disconnection.

vides a direct replacement for stan-

www.holdrite.com

The Avalanche CT two-piece and one-piece

dard and high efficiency commercial

residential toilets from Gerber are Water-

tanks. It features direct vent, com-

Sense certified for their high efficiency and

mon venting options and single unit/

operate at 1.28 gallons per flush. The toilets

common vent room-air ability that

are available in white and are offered as an

can use the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s existing verti-

ErgoHeight, elongated toilet. The toilets fea-

cal vent penetration. www.rinnai.us

ture a Fluidmaster fill valve, a quick acting 3-in. flush valve and a dual siphon jet. www.gerberonline.com

The Watts Series R12 commercial

Franklin Electric Co., Inc. offers the

wall-mounted reverse osmosis water

Little Giant SPBS Series battery

purification systems are designed for

backup system. It comes in four sys-

the reduction of total dissolved solids

tems: two options that feature the

at flow rates up to 1 200 gallons per

full system including a primary sump

day. The system comes in three differ-

pump, backup sump pump, controller,

ent packages.

charger and alarm. The other two op-

www.wattscanada.ca

tions provide everything except the primary sump pump. The full systems

The Astor collection from Newport Brass combines tradi-

use the Little Giant 6EC or 10EC

tional shapes with modern functionality. It has a 1.5 gallon

sump pumps with capacities from 53

per minute maximum flow rate and is available in 27 differ-

to 67 gallons per minute. They fea-

The Elan Vital 38 single hole lavatory faucet

ent finishes. It features

ture a controller, charger and alarm

from Watermark is an industrial themed fau-

solid brass construction,

system that audibly informs home-

cet that offers smooth control of water tem-

quarter-turn

washerless

owners when the unit is in use. The

perature and volume with two handles. It

ceramic disc valve car-

system has built-in protection against

has a 1.5 gallon per minute flow rate and

tridges and ADA compliant

overcharging, reverse polarity, short

features solid brass construction.

cross handles.

circuits and input overloads.

www.watermark-designs.com

www.newportbrass.com

www.littlegiant.com

30

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

HPACMAG.COM

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• Cost effective solution as installation is above-floor • Only 1” diameter discharge pipe • Includes soft close toilet seat • Self-venting toilet system

↑ 9 ft. ↑ and/or ←100 ft.→

1-800-363-5874 saniflo.ca

• Connection for a sink drain

A PUMP COMPANY SINCE 1958

1.28 GPF

< HVAC

Where’s The Heat?

Lower cost thermal imaging cameras and their role in the HVAC industry. BY IAN MCTEER

I

n the daily struggle to keep buildings healthy and happy, troubleshooting HVAC equipment still combines science and art. That intuition we attribute to talented HVAC technicians is secondary to science, which is the only real answer for today’s technicians who spend considerable lengths of time collecting and analyzing data.

The tools required for collecting said data are numerous and can be expensive. I have said before that the three most important tools are: knowledge, skill and a bright flashlight. On any particular service call a technician might also take to the jobsite a variety of hand tools: a clamp-on digital multimeter, manometer, gauges, a bunch of wire nuts, jumpers, a thermal imaging camera – wait a minute, a thermal imaging camera? Wow, another expensive tool, is what I am hearing from the field already.

THERMAL IMAGING IS EVERYWHERE If you have ever watched Mike Holmes’ television show, you know that he uses a thermal imaging camera (TIC) regularly to find gaps in insulation and evidence of water leaks. In that case you are right: his camera is too expensive for most service technicians to even consider adding that model to their tool chests. However, costs have come down considerably and it is now possible to purchase a TIC with adequate imaging technology for less than $1,000.

This is still a considerable monetary investment, but I think the benefits outweigh the costs.

I recently had the opportunity to “test drive” a new, less expensive TIC unit. I can report that thermal imaging is, at the same time, falling off a log easy to fairly complex when an accurate image is what is needed.

Falling off a log easy: turn the TIC on, point it at your Tim’s coffee and you will notice it is a bright yellow compared to the cooler table and other surroundings. But you already know your Tim’s is hot. Determining how hot is where accuracy comes into play; understanding how to take and to interpret accurate images takes some time and education.

32

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

THERMAL IMAGING CONCEPTS In our world of HVAC/R, we are always moving heat either into or out of buildings, foodstuffs, or process applications. We deal with particular amounts of heat; too much or too little heat added or removed, or moved to the wrong places presents problems for customers and damages machinery. Arguably, technicians have a plethora of tools right now designed to test and to diagnose system failures. Thermal imaging will not override the need for conventional HVAC tools or skillsets. A TIC, in my view, is a complementary technology that helps technicians savetime and make more accurate decisions.

Even though the camera is easy to operate, the quality of the data coming from any image is dependent on the following concepts: Blackbody: a totally non-reflective object. All of its radiation is a result of its own temperature.

Emissivity: the amount of radiation coming from an object as opposed to that of a blackbody. It is usually a numerical value between zero and one, although highly polished or shiny metal has an emissivity of 0.07. Flat black oil-based paint is 0.94. The camera requires the operator to choose an appropriate setting based on the material to be sampled.

Reflected apparent temperature: the camera requires an input for this parameter if temperature accuracy is the goal. It is used “to compensate for the radiation reflected in the object. If the emissivity is low and the object temperature is relatively far from that of the reflected temperature it will be important to set and compensate for the reflected apparent temperature correctly.”1 Distance: “is the distance between the object and the front lens of the camera. This parameter is used to compensate for the following two facts: • That radiation from the target is absorbed by the atmosphere between the object and the camera.

• That radiation from the atmosphere itself is detected by the camera”.2 HPACMAG.COM

Spot meter: uses the value from one pixel in the centre of the spot marker to determine the temperature of the target. However, to determine temperature accurately, the spot marker must cover the complete target. Thus, the camera cannot accurately measure the temperature of small tubes or pipes.

Figure 1 Comparison of duct temperature and air inside the duct temperature

Figure 2 courtesy of Flir Canada

BECOME A PRO To become proficient in the use of TICs, students of thermography must take formal training and achieve American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) certification.

Thermographers start with Level 1 certification and can continue to Level 3 where they learn how to establish thermography programs in various industries. Visit the Infrared Training Center for more information on courses: www.infraredtraining.com. Achieving Level 1 is a highly recommended goal for any HVAC technician wanting to provide customers with detailed thermography reports.

Because I have not taken a thermography course, my images are mostly uncorrected for emissivity and reflected temperature. I do believe the images have some value, so letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take a look at my findings. My TIC was capable of taking a thermal image and a .jpg at the same time. Using the camera manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free software, I could have created a professional report to show to a customer. Both images on the report provide a level of credibility a customer would need in making decisions that involve large expenditures of money or perhaps an extended shutdown of crucial equipment needing repairs.

After operating my two-stage heat pump in second stage for 10 minutes, I wanted to find out if the duct temperature and air inside the duct temperature would be the same. I did correct for this image by painting a small portion of the end of the trunk duct with flat black paint (emissivity 0.94, reflected temperature 20C). I used a distance setting of 0.5M. I placed the spot meter on the duct roughly where I thought the end of the type K thermocouple temperature probe might be. As shown in Figure 1, the outside of the duct reads 32.9C and the air temperature inside the duct is 35.8C, a considerable difference. Nevertheless, a quick application of black paint and one thermal image proved this duct is working. I am thinking of several jobs I had in the past where I spent hours probing ductwork with thermometers looking for restrictions. This might have been made easier by creating a roadmap of thermal images beforehand.

In Figure 2, the thermal image of a three-phase fuse block clearly shows one set of fuses running warmer than the others. This circuit must be examined for potential failures. Expect the same results from a circuit breaker panel.

An overheating breaker will show up like an east coast

Figure 2 Three-phase fuse block

Figure 3 Uncorrected view of an operational evaporator coil

Figure 4 Uncorrected view of a TXV in operation

Continued on p34 HPACMAG.COM

DECEMBER 2015 | HPAC

33

< HVAC

Figure 5 Air-to-air heat pump in heating mode

Figure 6 Uncorrected view of a heat pump reversing valve in cooling mode

Figure 7 Cooling mode airflow

lighthouse beam. Once you are familiar with thermal imaging, you will never want to pass-by an electrical panel or transformer again without imaging it for posterity.

Even though the indicated temperatures in Figure 3 are incorrect, it is easy to see the temperature transition as the mostly liquid refrigerant introduced into the bottom of the coil gradually boils off and warms to superheated vapour at the top of the coil. Any restriction in a particular refrigeration circuit would show-up as an easy to spot colour difference.

The thermal image in Figure 4 appears to show the TXV is feeding properly, but it is not possible for the spot meter to gather enough temperature data from the small capillary tubes. Each tube would have to be temperature-tested using conventional methods.

I attempted to create a blackbody on the outdoor coil of 34

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

an air-to-air heat pump in heating mode. I did not attach a gauge set to monitor the coil condition, however, the thermal image in Figure 5 shows the temperature at the centre of the blackbody to be -3.4C. This coil has five parallel circuits so it is possible to see some superheating in each circuit. Notice the exaggerated temperature difference where the damaged fins are located.

Again, as shown in Figure 6, temperatures are off but it is clear the valve is operating correctly. Suction gas is coming into the valve on the right side then directed to the compressor through the centre pipe. Hot discharge gas is routed to the condenser through the pipe on the left side of the valve. Reversing valve failures are sometimes misdiagnosed. In addition, replacement of this part is time consuming and expensive. A thermal image could help the technician to eliminate the valve as an issue in some cases.

A TIC cannot “see” the air, thus conventional methods must be used to measure air temperature directly. In Figure 7, observe the pattern that cooling mode airflow from the register has inscribed on the wall behind. The image indicates the register has an effective throw, although in a detailed study the technician would still require conventional HVAC methods to determine if the airflow volume and velocity are reasonable.

SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE I have seen several thermal images of condensing units taken by a thermographer that revealed two common HVAC problems: one unit was clearly overcharged, the thermographic image showed the outdoor coil was almost half full of liquid.

The second image clearly indicated a refrigerant leak location on the outdoor coil – as the liquid leaked from a pinhole, it vaporized thus lowering the temperature in the vicinity of the leak. A dark blue dot on the coil image could not have been caused by anything other than a refrigerant leak.

Considering the time I have spent using conventional methods searching for leaks, I was stunned at how easily this particular coil leak was detected. Every year, I would image every condenser coil on every job going forward.

Every HVAC/R service organization should consider purchasing a TIC and send a senior/lead technician to thermography school. Use the TIC manufacturer’s software to create thermography reports so customers will have detailed information about necessary repairs. The new, lower cost cameras are, in my view, ideal for our industry because, we simply need to know, “where’s the heat?”

Ian McTeer is an HVAC consultant with 35 years experience in the industry. He was most recently a field rep for Trane Canada DSO. McTeer is a refrigeration mechanic and Class 1 Gas technician.

1,2 Flir Systems Inc. User’s manual, Flir Ex series (2013), 19,35 HPACMAG.COM

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< TOOLS

WHAT IS IN YOUR

TOOLBOX?

BY DAVE DEMMA

W

hen I worked as a technician I wanted to have every possible tool I would ever need to complete any job I was faced with in my possession (meaning in my service van), including the 2 a.m. emergency calls. While that is a completely unrealistic goal, it did not diminish my love affair with tools. I would have to say that at least 90 per cent of the technicians I have worked with over the years had the same general love affair with tools. Not only do you need the latest new gadget, it is also prudent to have backups for all of the important tools. So, several sets of gauges, a volt meter with a backup or two, an amp meter with a backup or two, a temperature meter with a backup or two. You get the picture.

For the sake of practicality let’s momentarily put aside that type of tool buying mentality and take a look at a comprehensive list of tools that every technician should have in his or her “first response” tool container. I say container because every technician has a preference for what they use to keep their tools in.

At one extreme there is the technician who keeps his tools in a five-gallon plastic bucket – no organization, no structure, just thrown in when the job is finished. Good luck finding anything in a timely manner on the next job. You have to wonder how much lost productivity occurs over the course of a year just searching for that elusive pair of needle nose pliers when they are needed.

Now, if the proper accessory bag accompanies the fivegallon bucket, it can become a very nice receptacle for organizing your tools. And while the “accessory bag” costs a few dollars, the bucket is relatively inexpensive.

There are some technicians who use toolboxes. These may contain tools in an organized fashion, or something close to the disorganized five-gallon bucket system, but a

36

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

toolbox certainly projects a classier look than a bucket, which is important to some.

Or, a technician might use one of several styles of pouches, which while offering the ability to organize, they can be a little limited in size and tool selection.

Then you have technicians like me, who are absolutely fanatical about order. I once had a co-worker who spent much of his free time hunting, fishing and practicing to be a mountain man. He was quite good at leatherwork and had made himself a really nice leather bag for his tools. It was made of thick cowhide, measured about 12" x 20" x 10" deep, and had several large pockets for things such as flare caps, electrical tape, wire nuts, and so on. It also contained about a dozen or so smaller pockets for screwdrivers, wrenches, nut drivers, etc. To top it off, he made sure to include nice thick leather handles to support the weight of the tools in the bag.

It was not too long after his new leather bag made its proud debut at work that he started receiving requests from his coworkers to make them a similar one. It took a lot of persuasion to get him to say yes, but after several months he agreed. I loved that bag, as it had a place for everything I needed and it allowed easy access to it all.

While that bag is long gone, the commercially available bags below are somewhat similar. As you can see, there are

HPACMAG.COM

plenty of pockets for individual items, allowing for a very well stocked and organized “first response” tool set.

So, what should be included? Well, everyone will have his or her own preference as to what should be included. My priority was to have most of what I would need to troubleshoot a problem and perform the necessary repairs without having to constantly run out to my service van for additional tools. That being said, in Table 1 I have divided the items into two categories: essential and optional.

Of course, each technician will have a different idea on what is the best assortment of tools for their bucket/toolbox/pouch/bag/caddy, or whatever. Depending on the size, there are certainly a few other items that could be included.

This is one advantage of the bucket – it has plenty of room.

How often do you need your small cordless driver with a Phillips bit or small drill bit to perform some minor job? Or to remove the dozen or so sheet screws holding a panel in Table 1 Essential

Optional (Depending on the size of the ontainer)

Flash Light

Round File, Flat File, Chisel, Punch

6 in 1 Screwdriver

Screw Holding Screwdriver

Small/Large Phillips Screwdrivers

Volt Meter, Amp Meter

Small/Large Flat Edge Screwdrivers

Jumper Wires

Nut Drivers

Small Length of Wire, Wire Nuts, Small Asst of Wire Terminals

Allen Wrenches

Wire Terminal Crimper

Crescent Wrenches (8", 10", 12")

Telescoping Oil Bottle

Service Wrench

High Side Gauge (12" hose)

Schrader Valve Core Tool

Low Side Gauge (12" hose)

Digital Thermometer(s)

Flare Tool

Medium Ball Peen Hammer

Pipe Wrench (6")

Pocket Knife

Scratch Awl

Gasket Scraper

Large Service Wrench (3/8" & 1/2")

Channel Lock Pliers

Sporlan Service Wrench (includes tool for tightening stem packing in Sporlan TEVs)

Regular Pliers

Caliper

Needle Nose Pliers

Torpedo Level

Electrical Side Cutters

Small Wire Brush

Wire Strippers

Tin Snips

Electrical Tape

Small/Medium Pipe Cutters

Tape Measure

Sand Cloth

Telescoping Mirror Telescoping Magnet HPACMAG.COM

place on a rooftop unit, which needs to be removed prior to troubleshooting? How nice to be able to pull out your cordless driver, insert a 5/16" magnetic bit, and remove them all in a matter of seconds?

Now, if you have the desire to include your cordless driver in with the first response mix of tools, then you will also need a decent assortment of bits. This includes standard (drill, hex, Phillips) and accessory bits (extended length screwdriver bits, extensions, star, square and allen, adaptor to 3/8" sockets, and so on).

While not something that is used on a daily basis, the wrench shown here simplifies removing a TEV element. The jaws are relatively thin, which allows them to fit onto the wrench flats of the element without coming into contact with the valve body. It also has a wide opening.

Now, on to some interesting new technology toys that are drawing interest from technicians everywhere.

There is nothing more frustrating than working in an attic or dark machine room and not being able to see what you are doing. In years past you would have a standard flashlight or drop cord to assist. Not any longer. There seems to be no end to lighting accessories to assist today’s technician. Here are just a few examples: A magnetic flashlight with a flexible head, which should be able to supply light to any obscure location as long as there is a metal surface to attach it to. There is also a wide assortment of LED outfitted head lights.

Every now and then you have a situation that requires you to view something in a very hard to find location. I recall a supermarket where intermittent alarms were happening, and there was never an actual system problem that would have generated the alarm. A rat had chewed the insulation off of the alarm wires in a very inaccessible place. Occasionally they would touch and initiate an alarm.

It took forever to locate this cause. How nice it would have been to have a device that could have assisted with

Continued on p38 DECEMBER 2015 | HPAC

37

< TOOLS continued from 37 the wiring inspection. Advancements in digital circuitry and video technology have made instruments, which allow for inspecting remote areas, relatively inexpensive.

The instrument shown here can view up to 32' from the handheld device on a 3.5" screen, and can capture the data in jpeg or video format.

While many larger systems will be equipped with a liquid sight glass, it is typically located at the receiver outlet. Now and then situations occur, due to extreme pressure drop, piping issues, marginal refrigerant charge, which can result in inadequate supply of liquid refrigerant at the TEV inlet.

Without a liquid sight glass at the TEV inlet this may be difficult to diagnose. Enter the electronic sight glass. Using ultrasonic sensors, the instrument can sense differences in density in the fluid flowing through the refrigerant tubing.

So, small pockets of vapour in a liquid line would stand out as a different density and be sensed by the instrument.

Likewise, small pockets of liquid in the suction line would also stand out as a different density. The instrument can assist in troubleshooting lack of liquid refrigerant issues.

Motor bearings have a limited life, and at some point will be-

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38

gin to fail. As the bearing temperature starts to increase, the bearing lubricant will break down. Eventually the motor windings can overheat. The bearings can further degrade and cause a complete motor lock up.

Thermal imaging instruments can assist in analyzing motor bearings as they are beginning to fail by capturing two dimensional infrared maps of the bearing and motor housing temperatures. A process of comparing current operating temperatures to established benchmark temperatures can detect potential failures before they happen.

While it could be the subject of a complete article, it bears mention that there are several versions of digital manifolds available. Not only are these instruments capable of electronic measurement of pressure and temperature, but they can calculate superheat and subcooling for a multitude of refrigerants. And that is just the beginning.

The instrument on the right takes that concept a step further and can function as a true system performance analyzer. In addition to measuring the actual pressure and temperature points, when a system application is profiled it will also provide what those pressure and temperature points should be for the specific application. This platform can also measure airflow, total heat, sensible heat and latent heat capacity, system capacity in Btuh or tons, and after inputting volt and amp data it can calculate EER and COP, all of which is displayable on your mobile device via the manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s app.

The basis for an accurate diagnosis of a system problem is having a thorough understanding of system operation as a foundation. With that understanding, information is required to then make the diagnosis. It goes without saying, the more accurate and complete the information, the better a technician is able to make a complete diagnosis. Once the cause of the problem is isolated, the proper tool for the job will make the repair happen more efficiently.

Dave Demma holds a degree in refrigeration engineering and worked as a journeyman refrigeration technician before moving into the manufacturing sector where he regularly trains contractor and engineering groups. He can be reached at ddemma@ uri.com.

HPACMAG.COM

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

Industrial Refrigerated Systems.indd 1

15-08-11 1:57 PM

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HVAC PRODUCTS Belimo Americas has released

Daikin Applied has expanded its Rebel commercial packaged rooftop

inline flow meters that are de-

systems from three to 15-

signed to provide accurate and

tons to include 16- to 28-ton

repeatable hot or chilled water

sizes. This allows owners of

flow measurement. They use an

larger buildings to decrease

ultrasonic transit time technolo-

the number of units.

gy, and the transducers perform

www.daikinapplied.com

as both emitter and receiver. It is multi-point wet calibrated to en-

Ostberg’s heat and energy recovery units

sure accuracy and repeatability and features a maintenance free de-

(HERU), remove polluted and warm moist air

sign. Its power consumption of 0.5W saves energy and transformer

while recovering heat from used indoor air.

capacity. www.belimo.us

HERU simultaneously provides the space with warm or cool, filtered, clean air. It is available in

York Residential heating

four sizes (3 000 to 10 000 sq. ft.) and can be

and air conditioning split

mounted in a warm or cool space. It is con-

systems are rated in ac-

trolled with a wireless remote and uses an aluminum regenerative

cordance with AHRI Stan-

rotating exchanger to recover up to 50 per cent of moisture.

dards 210/240 and meet

www.products.ostberg.com

relevant ASHRAE 90.1, EPACT 2005 and ENERGY

SlimLine cassettes from Mo-

STAR

They

dine’s Airedale are suited to

have smaller footprints to

new or retrofit applications

accommodate gates and

where space, installation cost

hand trucks, and top and

and efficiency are of concern.

side access to commonly serviced items. Features include a flat fan

Three models are available:

guard design, and smooth edges. www.york.com

R410A air conditioning, R-

standards.

410A heat pump or chilled water cooling/hot water heating.

WaterFurnace International, Inc.,

Cooling capacities range from

offers all aluminum air coils for

8000 btuh/hr to 42000 btuh/hr. They are designed for installation in

its 5 Series product line. These

suspended ceilings. The cassettes also offer zoned control flexibility to

coils provide a durable, single-

reduce energy costs, and are available with the Modine Controls System.

metal solution designed to elimi-

They are compatible with building management systems such as Bac-

nate the threat of formicary cor-

NET and LonWorks. www.modinehvac.com

rosion and reduce the chance of galvanic corrosion.

Nortek Global HVAC is enhancing its

www.waterfurnace.com

HVAC product line with a link to technical literature for faster troubleshooting. The company implemented a new QR code product label to help contrac-

Greenheck’s line of industrial dampers

tors more easily access technical lit-

now includes models HBS-430 and

erature associated with equipment.

HBS-431 blast dampers. These models

Contractors can scan the label with

are designed to protect against blasts

their smartphone QR code reader and

and instantaneous pressure changes.

link directly to the specific model infor-

The heavy-duty, double flanged and

mation on the company’s online library.

channel frame-style dampers feature

Documents include installation instruc-

double thickness fabricated airfoil

tions, charging charts, replacement

blades. The dampers are suited to gov-

parts lists, wiring diagrams and more.

ernment buildings and protection of

www.nortekhvac.com

ventilation systems. www.greenheck.com 40

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

continued on p42 HPACMAG.COM

AdrianSteel.com

HVAC PRODUCTS continued from p40 The Voyager line of residential and

commercial

thermostats

from Venstar delivers connectivity for indoor climate control. A feature set enables users to reduce energy costs with local or remote operation via the Internet of Things. They feature a large, easy-to-read display, keypad lock, non-volatile memory, equipment fault protection and automated demand response. www.venstar.com The Radon Vac from Tjernlund Products, Inc., is a sidewall radon mitigation system that uses sidewall venting. It consists of a plug-in fan,

The HotShot Universal Blower

exterior hood and installer-purchased PVC pipe. Engineered to reduce

from Tjernlund Products, quietly

radon across a variety of sub-slab soil types, it features a sealed,

captures air on top of the stove

galvanized housing and a PSC permanently lubricated, low watt mo-

and blows it out of an adjustable

tor. The motor is not exposed to air stream moisture and the control

chute into the room. The blower,

hood is corrosion-proof. www.tjernlund.com

with high temp black powder coated finish, features a dis-

Rosenberg USA has introduced six dou-

charge chute that is adjustable

ble inlet Ecofit forward-curved centrifu-

by up to 45 degrees. Installation

gal blowers with speed-controllable EC

requires no tools as clips built

motors.

designated

into the blower housing attach to

GDSuG9 146x188, include constant

the top of the stove’s rear heat

pressure and constant airflow, and

shield. For stoves with a raised top, the directional chute can be re-

standard pressure and standard airflow

moved to shorten the unit’s overall length. www.tjernlund.com

The

blowers,

models. The blowers run at speeds as high as 1 395 RPM and generate a maximum airflow of up to 529

The Luxaire brand of Johnson Controls has

CFM. They feature easy speed control, reduced operating costs and a

introduced two additions to the LX Series

black-painted steel scroll housing. www.rosenbergusa.com

of residential gas furnaces; the TM8Y and the TM9Y models. In addition to two-

The ProSpace pack-

stage heating and a standard ECM motor,

aged

air

the furnaces feature: minimal conversion

terminal

(PTAC)

for upflow, horizontal and downflow appli-

from Trane is geared

cations, easily accessible controls, built

to the hospitality in-

in self diagnostics and a compact 33-in.

dustry. It features

height for installation in tight spaces.

humidity control for individual air-quality management, a wireless

www.luxaire.com

conditioner

thermostat and remote control capabilities. It has an unobtrusive design to blend in with a room’s décor. www.trane.com

WaterFurnace International, Inc has introduced the Envision-30-Ton water

QM Power has introduced the

source heat pump. The unit has a

Q-Sync smart synchronous mo-

take-apart design and features two

tor, an energy efficient motor.

high-efficiency Danfoss scroll com-

The motor is designed to im-

pressors, a blower motor that is per-

prove the power quality and

manently lubricated with thermal

reliability of fan motors. A fi-

overload protection and dual alumi-

nancing and services program

num air coils. The cabinet is con-

is available. Q-Sync is currently

structed of heavy gauge galvanized

available for refrigeration appli-

steel to protect against corrosion.

cations. www.qmpower.com

www.waterfurnace.com

42

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

HPACMAG.COM

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MECHANICAL SUPPLY NEWS MANUFACTURERS • DISTRIBUTORS • WHOLESALERS

Matt Derrien’s installation

Shane Fink’s installation

TWO CANADIANS TAKE HOME PRIZES IN THE LOCHINVAR VIP CONTRACTOR PROGRAM Lochinvar has announced its first four VIP winners in the 2015 to 2016 VIP Contractor Program. From October to April, a total four VIP contractors per month are acknowledged for their installations of Lochinvar’s residential boilers.

Three of the monthly winners are selected from participants in the VIP Installation Showcase, while an additional fourth winner is selected randomly in a monthly drawing.

Bryan Marino of Keyes North Atlantic in Newton, MA took home the first place prize, while it was two Canadians who received the second and third place awards.

Matt Derrien of Cooper Plumbing & Heating in Calgary, AB walked away with the second place prize for his system that was built on site using two WHN155 boilers and a SIT080 Squire stainless steel indirect water heater. The house features in slab heating in the basement and garage, as well as in-joist heating of selected areas on the main and second floor. It also has three high velocity fan coils in the house. Derrien was awarded a $250 Visa Reward Card for this installation.

Third place was awarded to VIP Contractor Shane Fink of Triple H Hydronics, also located in Calgary, AB. Fink installed a WHN285 Lochinvar boiler, which is servicing a 2 500 sq. ft. shop, two fan coil zones, domestic hot water and a 54-ft. semi trailer that is used for storage. Fink took home a $100 Visa Reward Card. www.lochinvar.com WOLSELEY WINS DISTRIBUTER OF THE YEAR International Comfort Products (ICP) has named Wolseley Canada its distributor of the year for the second consecutive year. The award specifically recognizes Wolseley for its significant growth of ICP’s sales line of Keeprite HVAC products for the 2014 calendar year. Wolseley carries KeepRite furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps and ductless products.

In other Wolseley news, the company’s HVAC/R branch located in St. Catharines, ON has moved from 146 Cushman Rd. to a larger facility located at 139 Cushman Rd. The facility will now offer Wolseley’s full line of plumbing products. The branch is 13 000 sq. ft., which is nearly twice the 44

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

Representatives from Wolseley Canada accept the Distributor of the Year award from representatives from International Comfort Products: (left to right) Mike DuFour, general manager, ICP Canada; Steve Webb, sales manager, ICP; John Bonus, business development manager, HVAC/R, Wolseley Canada; Joseph Caranci, director of business development, HVAC/R, Wolseley Canada; and Charlie Piranian, general manager, North American sales, ICP.

From left to right, the Plumbing & HVAC/R team at Wolseley’s relocated St. Catharines, ON branch: Paul Morgan, Counter/Inside Sales; Steve Thomson, Inside Sales; Jim Humphries, Inside Sales; Shane Oneschuk, Branch Manager; James Bent, Material Handler; and Barry Rohaly, Inside Sales.

size of the previous facility. The relocation of the branch and the addition of plumbing products is part of a broader 2015 to 2016 initiative to upgrade existing Wolseley locations. www.wolseleyinc.ca BPI AND AERSOEAL JOIN TOGETHER In late October, the Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) and Aeroseal LLC announced a partnership which offers BPI GoldStar Contractor program participation to Aeroseal dealers. It also provides Aeroseal’s Comfort Institute home performance training to the existing network of BPI GoldStar Contractors. Both BPI and Aeroseal currently have representation throughout Canada, with 30 Aeroseal dealers and several BPI certification centres in the country. The BPI and Aeroseal strategic partnership was first announced to Aeroseal dealers and Comfort Institute members in early October at the first annual Aeroseal Success Summit. www.aeroseal.com HPACMAG.COM

MULTI HVAC INC. TO WORK WITH PANASONIC CANADA Panasonic Canada Inc. has appointed Multi HVAC Inc. as its HVAC product distributor for Ontario.

The product offering will include residential single and multi-split ductless units, commer- Anton cial low ambient ductless and ducted units, as Wolmarans well as the Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) line that includes heat pumps and heat recovery systems.

Anton Wolmarans of Multi HVAC Inc. will lead this initiative. Multi HVAC Inc. is located in Vaughan, ON at 214 Jardin Dr. The company will continue to distribute ClimateWorx International products, as well as MARVAIR products. www.multihvac.ca DAIKIN APPLIED WORKS TOWARD TRANSFORMING HVAC INDUSTRY Daikin Applied Americas announced on November 20, 2015 that it is acquiring a minority ownership stake in Riptide IO, a California-based software company that focuses on helping business owners connect, manage and automate building equipment through the Internet of Things (IoT) in commercial buildings.

Riptide IO has been a partner to Daikin Applied in the development of Daikin Intelligent Equipment, a cloud-based technology platform for HVAC equipment that harnesses the IoT. Michael Schwartz, Daikin Applied President and CEO, will join the Riptide IO board of directors. www.riptideio.com www.daikinapplied.com BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE More than 20 years ago, Case de Jong of Franke Kindred Canada spearheaded the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating’s (CIPH) support of Habitat for Humanity Canada. Since then, the partnership has generated more than $10 000 000 in cash and product for the non-profit, home building organization. In 2014, CIPH board members approved an initiative to name a street after de Jong to honour for his long-time volunteer service with CIPH and Habitat for Humanity.

The announcement was made at the 2014 CIPH Gala Evening in Support of Habitat for Humanity, following the unveiling of CIPH’s home build partnership in Burlington, ON. The project, which is a 13-unit townhouse complex, is well underway but CIPH continues to welcome volunteers to assist with the build.* It is at that site that representatives of CIPH, Habitat Halton, along with Halton-Mississauga community members, gathered on November 5, 2015, to celebrate the naming of de Jong Lane.

HPACMAG.COM

From left, CIPH past chair Ken Webster of Viessmann Manufacturing; Ralph Suppa, CIPH president and general manager; CIPH chair Siân Smith of Nobel Corporation; CIPH past chair Case de Jong of Franke Kindred Canada; CIPH director and chairman of the charity committee for Habitat For Humanity Canada Gail Kaufman of Wolseley Canada; and CIPH immediate past chair Paul McDonald of Bradford White; and Cliff Sargeant, 2008-2009 CIPH Chair, gather under the de Jong Lane street sign in Burlington, ON.

The next CIPH Gala Evening in support of Habitat for Humanity will take place on Tuesday March 15, 2016 at the Delta Toronto. CIPH expects more than 300 industry members to attend. According to organizers, the evening will consist of a spectacular meal, hilarious entertainment courtesy of Colin Mochrie and Deb McGrath, and a silent auction. All proceeds from the gala event support partnership activities between CIPH and Habitat for Humanity Canada. www.ciph.com * For more information on how you can help, e-mail Matt Wiesenfeld, CIPH charity manager, m.wiesenfeld@ciph.com

DANFOSS RECOGNIZED FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY Danfoss was presented with the Innovative Star of Energy Efficiency award during the Alliance to Save Energy’s 23rd annual Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency gala. The award recognizes outstanding or unique contributions to energy efficiency with demonstrated, quantifiable, cost-effective energy savings. Companies are able to self-nominate their product, or be nominated by another party to be considered for this award. www.ase.org SANIFLO PARTNERS WITH WETLANDS WORK! AND THE WORLD TOILET ORGANIZATION Saniflo, a manufacturer of macerating and grinding toilets as well as drain-water pumping systems, is partnering with the World Toilet Organization and Wetlands Work! to bring new sanitation systems to the floating villages of Cambodia in honour of World Toilet Day. “There is a pressing need to address water sanitation issues around the world. This is prevalent in the floating villages continued on p46 DECEMBER 2015 | HPAC

45

< MSN continued from 45 of Cambodia, where one in seven children under age five die and many others are unable to go to school for days or weeks at a time because sanitation-related illnesses,” said Ross Evans, national sales manger, Saniflo Canada. “That is why Saniflo is renewing its commitment to the World Toilet Organization and World Toilet Day on November 19, 2015 to bring awareness to this cause and help to improve the living conditions with effective sanitation initiatives.”

The region around Lake Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, is home to over 100,000 people who live and work floating on the water. The levels of the lake fluctuate during the dry and rainy seasons from between one and nine metres, making plumbing and sanitation initiatives difficult. Entire villages use the lake for all of their daily needs including, bathing, washing, cooking, fishing, drinking and as a toilet. This is in spite of the sanitation issues and health risks they face everyday including chol-

era, hepatitis and other transmittable diseases.

This year, Saniflo’s investment will provide new water treatment systems called HandyPods for schools in four villages in the Kampong Chhnag province of Cambodia.

HandyPods, developed by Wetlands Work!, are a mobile ecosystem made-up of micro-organisms and plants which eliminate 99.99 per cent of fecal bacteria before releasing the water back into the environment. The system can be connected to buildings, such as schools in order to handle the water-level fluctuations of the lake.

A second phase of this sanitation initiative will also work towards increasing water-treatment and hygiene awareness among children and other community members in hopes of reducing illness and school absenteeism, while also encouraging the adoption of similar treatment systems directly in homes. www.saniflo.ca

Aaron Engel has been named vice president of business development for Fresh-Aire UV. He will focus on the company’s Canadian business, global expansion and bolster the firm’s presence in the HVAC, healthcare, industrial and military markets. Engel will work closely Aaron Engel with Fresh-Aire UV’s Canadian manufacturer’s representatives: Air Force 1 Sales & Marketing Ltd., Toronto, and Fresh-Aire UV’s engineering, sales and marketing departments.

manager of the company. Norbert joined ECCO in 1997 in the Edmonton branch and in 2004 joined the corporate operations team in Langley, BC. In 2008 he assumed the title of vice president, manufacturing.

Watts Water has appointed Chris Jamieson to vice president of marketing. Jamieson was vice president for the Americas at Xylem, and was formerly part of ITT where he had responsibility for approximately $900 million in annual Chris revenue.

Jamieson Rinnai America Corporation has named Tim Wiley the vice president of sales. Wiley has over 20 years of experience in the construction and building products industry. He most recently served as Moen’s vice president of sales, South region, and led the bathroom and kitchen products brand’s sales organization.

He also held positions with Georgia-Pacific. Tom Wiley After 44 years of service, Hilton Hartwell, general manager, ECCO Group, has announced his retirement from the company. Hartwell’s position will be assumed by Shaine Norbert, vice president and general Hilton Hartwell Shaine Nobert 46

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

AQUA-TECH INCREASES TECH SUPPORT HOURS AND WELCOMES NEW STAFF TO THE TEAM Aqua-Tech Sales and Marketing Inc. has extended its customer service/technical support hours to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Jonathan Cheng, technical sales and support engineer, has assumed Jonathan this responsibility for Canadian clientele.

Cheng Aqua-Tech has also added an after-hours pick up box at the Burlington, ON location. If a product arrives at the store by 3 p.m., the customer can pick it up after hours in the lock-box.

The company also has a number of new additions to the team. Daniel Blowes has re- Daniel Blowes cently joined Aqua-Tech as a technical support/customer service representative. He is a graduate of the electronics engineering technologist program at Niagara College in Welland, ON. Joshua Lirette has also joined the company as a technical sales representative. Lirette, who has relocated to Ottawa Joshua Lirette from Moncton, NB, is a recent graduate of the University of New Brunswick with a B.Sc. in mechanical engineering. In other AquaTech news, Emily Palamar has moved from her position as customer sales representative into the accounting department.

Emily Palamar www.aquatech-canada.com HPACMAG.COM

DEB McGRATH AND COLIN MOCHRIE

MARCH 15, 2016 | DELTA TORONTO REGISTER NOW!

ciph.com/gala

For more information, contact

Matt Wiesenfeld at 416-695-0447 or m.wiesenfeld@ciph.com.

< HYDRONICS

Getting the silent treatment

Identifying and fixing the primary culprits behind a noisy hydronic system. BY MIKE MILLER

H

ydronic heating systems are known for their ability to control the end userâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comfort levels. These systems also move energy around a building quietly through much smaller distribution piping than traditional forced air systems. They can provide enviable efficiency with the addition of zoning and smart control strategies. When the hydronic system is properly designed and installed, distribution and stand-by losses are also minimized. Consumers very quickly forget all of those benefits when the promise of a quiet, efficient system is not delivered on.

When you can hear a hydronic heating system operate, something is just not right. The following are some of the possible causes that could impact a typically silent heating system.

48

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

AIR/DIRT IN THE SYSTEM When a hydronic heating system is commissioned one of the most important points to consider is the proper removal of air and dirt in the system.

Failure to do so can cause whistling and gurgling noises that can be heard anywhere in the distribution piping.

Other system components (boilers, pumps valves, etc.) could also be negatively impacted and may contribute to additional noise issues.

The vast majority of air can be removed in the filling process by relieving air at the highest point of the distribution system. Dirt can be removed by properly flushing the system prior to commissioning.

When the system consists of radiant floor heating, each loop should be flushed separately in order to relieve

the air in the loops. This can be done at the manifold location if adequate shut offs (loop isolators) and fill and drain valves are available. If not, it can still be done at a common piping set.

Once this is done, there is still the oxygen within the distribution fluid that can result in what we refer to as entrained air. When the fluid is heated, oxygen separates in forms of micro bubbles. When more of those get together, a bigger air bubble forms and eventually, multiples of those can cause the same whistling and gurgling noises and maybe even air locks.

The most effective way to deal with those microbubbles at one central location, is through the proper addition of a dirt and air separator installed near the boiler in the primary piping.

When the system is started most air separators can remove dirt and air while taking advantage of the fluid velocity.

Specially designed dirt and air separators can remove both, even at the very low velocities that are becoming more prominent with the increased adoption of variable speed pumping systems.

PUMPS/CIRCULATORS Most circulators available today are so quiet it is nearly impossible to hear them run, even right at their location and particularly when they are equipped with ECM motor technology.

Larger commercial pumps use larger motors that may give off a soft humming noise and it is typically contained to the pump location.

When you can hear them throughout a building, more often than not, it involves the air and dirt in the system.

Pumps and circulators can also be heard through the distribution piping if they have been oversized for their duty. This would be referred to as velocity noise, which is the result of too high a velocity through the piping.

It could be due to an oversized component or a result of changing of system dynamics, such as zone valves shutting off that are not addressed HPACMAG.COM

Solubility Curve

Boiler & Air Separator Location FAN COIL

18%

SOLUBILITY OF AIR IN WATER AT STANDARD SOLUBILITY OF AIR PRESSURE INTEMPERATURE WATER AT AND STANDARD

16% 14%

TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE

12%

ACO

CIRCULATOR CI C LA O

10% ACO

TWIN IN TEE

8%

4% 2% 32

50

75

100

125

150

175

ACO I AI AIR SEPARATOR A A O

PUMP A CO PSIA

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10

6%

ACO MULTI-PURPOSE L I O VALVE AL

ACO SUCTION C ION IFF DIFFUSER

200 212

ACO EXPANSION AN ION TANK AN

TEMPERATURE (DEGREE (DEGREE F)F) TEMPERATURE

Figure 1

sufficiently. The problem is even more noticeable when fast acting zone valves are used.

Self-sensing ECM motor circulators or commercial pumps with self-sensing drive technology can respond to those changes on their own and compensate for changes in the system.

Constant volume devices require the installation of a form pressure bypass or balancing valve to address changing system dynamics. When the noise increases right at the pumps, check for cavitation and dead heading, or failing bearings in larger pumps and motors. When using larger split coupled and base mounted pumps, check for motor rotation and alignment.

DISTRIBUTION PIPING This is a typically silent part of hydronic heating systems. When noise comes from the piping and it is not a result of the issues discussed previously, it could be due to inadequate securing of the piping. If typical mounting guidelines specific to the material used are not followed, the pipe may not be restrained enough and could move as a result of changing system dynamics.

Once again those changes can include the closing of zones and change in fluid velocity. Fixed fluid temperature operation or improper fluid temperature control can also be a cause.

HPACMAG.COM

OIL BOILER

When the fluid temperature is greater than what the building needs, the calls for heat naturally become shorter and off times longer. This allows the fluid to cool before being heated again. The resulting expansion and contraction in the piping can allow the pipe to move and will sometimes result in ticking noises.

The addition of a responsive control system can minimize the expansion and contraction greatly, as the fluid temperature is controlled according to the building needs (referred to as outdoor reset and/or outdoor reset with indoor temperature feedback).

BOILERS While one can hear a boiler firing, it is typically contained to the boiler’s physical location. When the noise goes beyond that of the typical firing noise and comes across as a hissing and gurgling sound there can be a couple of causes.

First, there may be inadequate flow through the boiler, which causes the water to boil internally. Secondly, if the system’s fill pressure is too low and the water temperature is too high, boiling of the water internally can occur.

Maintaining proper fill pressure and removing any air remaining in the system can virtually fix noises caused by the boiler. Finally, ensure that the boiler’s high limit and operating limits are set properly.

HEAT EMITTERS Heat emitters typically operate noise free as well. When you get a noise coming from a heat emitter, it is generally a result of either a lack of fluid temperature control causing expansion and contraction of the heat emitter, or again, air inside of them causing a gurgling noise. Controlling the fluid temperature based on building load to minimize off times eliminates the expansion and contraction greatly.

Although there are some other possible noisemakers you may encounter in a hydronic system, the causes discussed here are the most common contributors. Always ensure that you are servicing mechanical components as per manufacturer recommendations. Your properly designed and professionally installed hydronic heating system will ensure your client’s satisfaction. When our clients work or reside in a comfortable environment and do not even know the hydronic system is running, we have done our job.

Silence is golden.

Mike Miller is chair of the Canadian Hydronics Council (CHC) and director of sales, building services with Taco Canada Ltd. He can be reached at hydronicsmike@tacohvac.com.

DECEMBER 2015 | HPAC

49

< HERITAGE PROJECT

Bellevue House

Photo: Parks Canada

Historic home gets federally-funded HVAC reno Retrofitting the first prime minister’s 19th century home has its challenges.

By Beth McKay

50

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

switched between heating and cooling using valves located in the Visitor Centre mechanical room.

The new system will separate Bellevue House from the Visitor Centre to create two stand-alone systems and the controls in the house will be upgraded to a Direct Digital Control (DDC) system. Also, an exterior structure will be built to contain a boiler for the Bellevue House, while a new chiller will be located outdoors.

The HVAC system has been designed

by Miriton Ltd. Although construction began on November 9, 2015, Johnnie Chahwan, Miriton’s business director and his team, have been working on .this project for over a year. He says

The existing heating system located in the visitor centre.

they have not run into many difficulties to date because such a large portion of this project was planning the layout and preparing for potential challenges.

“We have been trying to keep the intrusion on the house to a minimum, so we’ve had to come up with some creative ideas,” said Kellen Wadden, mechanical engineer and project manager.

Wadden says a lot of the HVAC work is actually being done on the outside of the house, protecting the heritage home from much internal construction.

Additionally, Parks Canada is restricted by archaeological factors, as well as the location of the new equipment and utility lines. Offin said that installation for the Bellevue House project

The building’s wood stove that once provided heat throughout the house (not currently in use).

Photos Miriton staff

W

ith all the media attention surrounding 24 Sussex Dr., HPAC staff thought it would be interesting to check out another heritage structure that has mechanical restorations currently underway.

In July 2015, Bellevue House in Kingston, ON received $54,000 of federal funding to be put towards a new HVAC system. The historical building, which was once home to Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, was built in the 1840s – making the installation of 20th century technology slightly complicated.

“The heating and cooling system for Bellevue House was made up of a two pipe system with two radiators and six cabinet-style fan coil units,” said Maria Offin, project manager and technical officer for Georgian Bay and Ontario East Field Unit at Parks Canada.

“These units supplied heating or cooling water from the hot boiler or chiller, located in the Visitor Centre, through buried supply and return pipework,” she said. Offin further explained that the two-pipe system would have to be

HPACMAG.COM

must also follow the Guidelines for Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, requiring them to re-use the existing elements of the heating system.

For example, part of the project will be re-furbishing the old fan coil units which is part of the contractor work.

If all goes to plan, the installation should be complete by the end of January 2016, and ready for tours in the spring.

Other historical renovations may not have the star status of 24 Sussex Dr., but certainly have the political backstory and antiquated HVAC system to rival the Official Residence. Other heritage renovations in Ontario under Parks Canada include structural repairs to Fort Henry, which is also located in Kingston, ON. Another includes the Laurier House, former residence of both Sir Wilfred Laurier and Rt. Hon. William Lyon Mackenzie King, located in Ottawa, ON. www.pc.gc.ca

www.miriton.com

One of the existing fan coil units.

The building’s electrical panels are hidden behind a panel wall.

The heating/chilled water supply and return entering the house. The pipework passes into this service tunnel where it connects to the visitor centre. As part of the project, the existing service tunnel has been opened up and the existing lines will be cut to decouple the house from the visitor centre.

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51

< PLUMBING

Water conservation in commercial apps

The hot-water-conserving equipment and fixtures in a commercial kitchen are pivotal to an optimized hot water system.

BY AMIN DELAGAH

PRE-RINSE SPRAY VALVE The PRSV is a handheld device designed for use with commercial dishwashing and warewashing equipment that sprays water on dishes, flatware and other foodservice items for the purpose of removing food residue (see Figure 1).

Figure 1 ASTM Std. F-2324 “cleaning” test of a low-flow PRSV

ers even further, with the introduction of models that use less than one gallon per minute (3.79 Lpm).

A busy full-service restaurant can clock three hours of pre-rinse operation a day. Even at one hour of use per day, the best-in-class 0.64 gpm (2.42 l/min) spray valve can save 100 therms and $330 annually when compared to the federally regulated 1.6 gpm (6 Lpm) valve (see Figure 2).

When compared to a high-flow value at 4.5 gpm (17 Lpm), the savings would be 400 therms and $1,350 annually.

Figure 2 Pre-rinse sprayer operating cost comparison

Energy, Water & Sewer Cost Annual Opera6ng Cost

H

ot-water-conserving equipment and fixtures are the only parts of the hot water system in a commercial kitchen that regularly interface with the user. They are also the easiest to remove and replace, namely the dishwasher, the pre-rinse spray valve (PRSV) and the aerators on hand sink faucets. Efficient equipment or fixtures, as long as they offer equal performance to conventional models, will translate into long-term savings.

It should be noted that currently in Canada there are no energy efficiency regulations for commercial warewashing equipment – commercial dishwashers and pre-rinse spray valves. However, ENERGY STAR does prescribe voluntary energy efficiency specifications for commercial dishwashers. Look for the ENERGY STAR symbol to identify high efficiency equipment.

$3,500 $3,000 $2,500 $2,000 $1,500 $1,000 $500 $0

5.0 gpm

2.5 gpm

1.15 gpm

0.70 gpm

Flow Rate

Assump6ons: 1 hr/day, 365 days/yr, $1.00/Therm, $10.00/CCF, 70% Opera6ng Efficiency, 60°F Temperature Rise

AERATORS

Low-flow, high-performance pre-rinse spray valves are the single most cost-effective piece of equipment for water and energy savings in commercial kitchens. Building on a successful California Public Utility Commission funded program in 2005, at least half of 100 000 pre-rinse spray valves used in commercial kitchens in California have been retrofitted with efficient models (using 1.6 gpm (6 Lpm) or less).

Realizing that efficient spray valves perform equally with inefficient or conventional counterparts, the federal government passed laws in 2005 limiting their flow rate. The federal regulations, combined with the success of efficient pre-rinse spray valves in kitchens have helped to support a market transformation.1 This momentum has propelled manufactur52

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

Aerators are an inexpensive way to reduce the water flow rate while maintaining enough force for effective hand washing (a restroom lavatory sink or a kitchen hand-washing sink is used almost exclusively to wash or rinse hands).

Large restaurants can have up to a dozen hand-washing sinks and it is still common to find high flow (typically 2.2 gpm (8.33 Lpm)) aerators installed. The maximum flow rate can be set much lower without negatively impacting user satisfaction (i.e. 0.5 gpm or less).

You can still purchase aerators that range from the federally mandated maximum 2.2 gpm (8.33 Lpm) aerator for a private lavatory down to the best-in-class 0.375 gpm (1.42 Lpm) high-performance model. But there is still a lack of awareness, or reluctance, in the restaurant industry to install low-flow aerators (0.5 gpm (1.89 Lpm)) on lavatory faucets.

A conventional hot water delivery distribution system HPACMAG.COM

and it is still common to find high flow (typically 2.2 gpm) aerators installed. The maximum flow rate can be set much lower without negatively impacting user satisfaction (i.e., 0.5 gpm or less). You can still purchase aerators that range from the

s on

n the

reation

n 1998

ate for

aucets

hanical

is the test 5.4.1

2.18.1–

blished public

federally maximum gpm aerator a private down tothat the (with a mandated relatively large2.2volume of for water in lavatory the pipes best-in-class 0.375 gpm high-performance model. But there 0.5 is still gpm a lack of(1.89 cools between draws) works poorly with awareness, or reluctance, in the restaurant install low-flow (0.5 Lpm) aerators (see HPAC Marchindustry 2015,top28).

For thisaerators reason gpm) on lavatory faucets. they are often exchanged for high flow aerators, or removed altogether after a new restaurant is in operation in order to The upcoming section on hot water delivery performance demonstrates that a reduce that wait time for hot water. conventional distribution system (with a relatively large volume of water in the pipes The peak flow rate of a hand sink faucet with the aerator rethat cools between draws) works poorly with 0.5 gpm aerators. This often leads to moved could be as high as eight gpm. If this faucet was used their exchange for high flow aerators (or removal) after a new restaurant is in one hour per day, the annual utility cost would exceed $2,800. operation to reduce that wait time for hot water. The peak flow rate of a hand sink The estimated utility costs operated for faucet with the aerator removed couldofbevarious as high as aerators 8 gpm. If this faucet was used one per day displayed in Figure An annual savings one hour hour per day, the are annual utility cost would exceed3.$2,800.

The estimated utility ofcosts 190of therms and $640 is estimated by replacing a 2.2 gpm various aerators operated for one hour per day are displayed in Figure 4. An (8.33 with 0.375 gpm (1.42 Lpm)a aerator. annualLpm) saving aerator of 190 therms anda $640 is estimated by replacing 2.2 gpm aerator with a 0.375 gpm aerator.

Figure 3 Total utility cost for a hand sink at various aerator flow rates

(other

andard

s been

Uniform

ational

ational

$800 Annual Utility Cost

major

$600

What should you consider when selecting a pre-rinse spray valve?

• Opt for a high-velocity spray pattern.

• These models have substantially better cleaning performance. Look for a PRSV rated to clean at a rate of 26 seconds per plate or less.

• Look for models that can be disassembled for cleaning and maintenance. This is especially important in areas with hard water.

• Choose a model tested for efficiency.

• Check the packaging to ensure that the PRSV has been measured in accordance with ASTM F2324-03: Standard Test Method for Pre-Rinse Spray Valves.

• Check with your municipality or utility about rebates.

• PSRVs provide such substantial water savings that many Canadian municipalities and utilities offer programs providing free or discounted PRSVs to commercial or institutional users.

$400

Operating tips

$200 $-

ucets in ms and

2.20 Standard (Private)

avatory , gyms, and all

1.50 Low flow

1.00 Low flow

0.50 Standard (Public)

0.375 Ultra low

Flow Rate (gpm) Figure 4. Total utility DISHWASHERS cost for a hand sink at various aerator flow rates.

COMMERCIAL

The commercial dishwasher, also called a warewasher or dishmachine, cleaning chemicals, electricity, natural ient Water Heating, Delivery anduses Use – 3.26.10 7 gas and water. Figure 4 illustrates the array of dishwashers available for use in restaurants, excluding the large flighttype machines used in very large foodservice operations. It is important to be familiar with the dishwasher specifications and to know the daily usage (racks per hour) in order to estimate operating costs and assess the value of choosing a more efficient model. The water use per rack is a fundamental measure of efficiency as it correlates with the Figure 4 Commercial dishwasher types

Follow these best practices for even more energy savings.

• Clean the spray head regularly.

• Remove scale build-up to keep PSRVs working at maximum efficiency.

• Replace badly clogged spray heads.

• Resist the temptation to “drill out” the scale from clogged spray heads; this will affect spray velocity and reduce cleaning efficiency.

SOURCE: NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA

energy used to heat water and the amount of cleaning chemicals required for each cycle.

Older and less efficient equipment on the market is being replaced with ENERGY STAR qualified models to save energy and water. Historically, manufacturers with efficiency-driven designs have focused on reducing the rinse water volume per rack. More recently, they have ramped up research and development and are introducing innovative technologies such as waste heat recovery, insulated panel and ventless models.

Commercial Dishwasher Commercial Dishwasher Types Types

Clockwise Clockwise from le4 from le4

•

Conveyor (shown • Conveyor (shown here: mul:ple tank tank here: mul:ple conveyor – large conveyor – FlSR arge FSR and cafeterias)

•

Under Counter (café)

•

Single Tank, Door • Single ank, Door Type (small T full-­‐ service restaurants) Type (small full-­‐

•

and cafeterias)

•

Under Counter (café)

estaurants) Pot, service Pan, and rU tensil (supermarkets, • Pot, Pan, and Utensil cafeterias) (supermarkets, cafeterias)

HPACMAG.COM

Amin Delagah is a project engineer at the PG&E Food Service Technology Center (FSTC). He holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering and M.S. in renewable energy engineering with a minor in environmental management. Highlights of his research include the completion of a Design Guide on Energy Efficient Heating, Delivery and Use. Material for this article is extracted from that document. Delagah is the upcoming Handbook Chair of the ASHRAE Technical Committee 6.6 Service Water Heating.

1. D ickinson, Mary Ann. California Urban Water Conservation Council Letter.

ENERGY STAR. [Online] July 01, 2005. [Cited: March 04, 2010.] www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=archives.spray_valves.

DECEMBER 2015 | HPAC

53

< PLUMBING

How to resolve water line noise am sure everyone has experienced the clanging of loose water lines, a distant yet persistent rattle every time you close the kitchen faucet, or a loud, jarring thwack every time the washing machine cycles. At some point in time most of us have been rudely awakened by these noises, or called in to eliminate them.

Whether you live in an old house or a new house, single family abode or a multi-unit high rise, noisy banging pipes will have been a nuisance you have learned to live with, or a curse you were driven or tasked to exorcize. “Water hammer” is the term used to identify this common problem and it can lead to much more than just a poor night’s sleep.

Water hammer is a pressure wave that occurs inside a water line when the fluid in motion is abruptly stopped or forced to change direction due to the rapid closing of a valve or faucet (see Figure 1). Rapid-closing valves are pretty much the norm nowadays with very few slow-closing globe style valves used anymore.

Solenoid valves in clothes and dishwashers are particular culprits. Flowing water contains considerable energy, kinetic force, which needs to be released somewhere. Water is a non-compressible fluid so it cannot simply absorb this kinetic energy. Instead it bounces as a wave back and forth within the piping system until all the energy is either released into a larger water main, or into a vessel, such as a water tank. If there are loose pipes, this force will shake and rattle them, creating the “hammer” noise.

Just how much force are we talking about here? If you are

a budding John Siegenthaler and you love mathematical equations, check out the formulas in the sidebar. If you prefer to look at the back of the book for the answers and simply trust the big foreheads who figured this stuff out for us already, consider this: the pressure rise in copper pipe due to a sudden change in velocity is approximately 60 times the original flow velocity in feet per second (fps).

Your typical 1/2" supply line, flowing at six fps, can generate a pressure rise of 360 psig above and beyond the flow pressure. That means that if you have an average water pressure of 60 psi, the water surges can be creating “hammer hit” forces equal to 420 psi. Have you ever wondered why most of the pipe, fittings and components we use in our plumbing systems have test pressure ratings that far exceed the working pressure rating? This is one of the reasons.

Larger pipe sizes and longer pipe runs will see even higher spikes. With this kind of force at work you can understand why water hammer is more than an annoying nuisance. It can be a serious and potentially destructive issue. Virtually every component in a plumbing system is susceptible to damage from the repeated shocks of water hammer.

Hangers and supports can be loosened over time. Relief valves, solenoid valves, faucet cartridges and all manner of piping connections can all be stressed to the point of failure. Severe water hammer has even been implicated in the premature failure of hot water storage tanks.

The most effective means of mitigating the disruptive forces of water hammer is through the installation of an engineered water hammer arrester. There are several types, most of which employ a diaphragm, a bellows or a piston to permanently separate the water from a measured, compressible cushion of air or gas. When a valve closes abruptly, the water shock wave column is absorbed up into the arrester, compressing the permanent air charge until all the momentum of the moving water is safely dissipated. They are basically hydraulic shock absorbers.

Figure 1 Water hammer pressure wave

Figure 2 Engineered water hammer pressure arrester

A look at the causes, the potential risks and the ultimate cure for things that go bump in the night. BY STEVE GOLDIE

Graphics courtesy Sioux Chief Manufacturing

I

54

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

HPACMAG.COM

The piston style seems to be by far the most common, at least in the residential market. These should be installed within six feet of the rapid closing valve they are serving and should be on both the hot and cold lines.

In recent years we have seen most plumbing codes adopt new or stricter regulations regarding the installation of water hammer arrestors. The Unified Plumbing code (UPC/IAMPO) and the International Plumbing Code (IPC), as well as the National Plumbing Code of Canada, all require the installation of ASSE 1010 Certified Water Hammer Arresters on all quickclosing valves to control water hammer in both residential and commercial plumbing applications (see Figure 2).

Gone are the days when we could simply install vertically capped air chambers, as these have been proven ineffective.

As is the case with most regulations, enforcement comes down to individual local authorities and may vary across the country. Regardless of whether or not these requirements are being enforced in your area, adopting them is just good practice and should be standard part of every job.

Steve Goldie learned his trade from his father while working as a plumber in the family business.

After 21 years in the field, he joined the wholesale side of the business in 2002. He is frequently asked to troubleshoot systems and advise contractors. He can be reached at sgoldie@nextsupply.ca.

Kinetic Energy = ½ mass x velocity² When considering KE within a piping system, the mass (m) can be substituted with the physics characteristics of water within a cylindrical pipe (i.e. specific weight, cross-sectional area, length, plus gravitational constant). Velocity (v) is calculated in feet per second (fps), which can easily be converted from the known gpm and pipe size. For a plumbing or piping system, the kinetic energy formula can be expressed as this: KE = .97 x A x L x v²

Where:

A = Cross sectional area of pipe I.D. in square feet L = Length of effective pipe in feet v = Velocity of flowing water in feet per second Since we can calculate the kinetic energy, we can also calculate the actual “pressure rise” within a piping system by using Joukowsky’s Formula: pr = wav/144g.

Where: pr = Pressure rise above flow pressure (psig) w = Specific weight of liquid (water = 62.4 lbs/ft³) a = Velocity of pressure wave in feet per second (fps) (4000 – 4500 fps in metal pipe) v = Change in flow velocity in feet per second (fps) g = Gravitational constant (32.2 fps²)

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To make sure that you don’t miss a single news item, we have redesigned our e-newsletters so that you can stay up-to-date in the office and on the job site. Featuring

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55

GIZMOS & GADGETS Tecapeek SM spin moulded tubes

The Original Max2000 snips from Malco feature Eu-

from Ensinger are suited for seal-

ro-styled ergonomic handles that of-

ing products such as back-up and

fer textured, solid-coloured, moulded

split rings. The material has high

thermoplastic grips and finger stops

mechanical strength with double pressure handling capacity of PTFE

that complement a narrower handle. They have an am-

tubes. Products manufactured with the Tecapeek SM tube are resistant

bidextrous, thumb-operated handle latch and replaceable compression

to high wear and abrasion. www.ensinger.com

spring. They are flexible, duo-coloured and have a side-operated handle latch. All snips feature hardened blade edges for maximum cutting life.

FatMax Premium 25 ft. and 35 ft. tape

www.malcotools.com

rules by Stanley offer a 13 ft. standout.

They feature an air-lock system that

ServiceTitan, a cloud-based platform that man-

acts as a shock absorber to protect the

ages operational components of residential

tape’s slide lock if it is dropped. They have

plumbing, HVAC and electrical home service

a detachable, customizable hook system. The

business systems, has released a native applica-

tape rule blades are coated in Mylar and also feature BladeAr-

tion for field technicians to use on Apple and An-

mor for durability. www.stanleytools.com

droid tablets regardless of web connectivity. This app gives technicians the ability to access cus-

Milwaukee’s Super Hawg is a

tomer information and input data. It stores data

cordless, right angle drill that

on the hard drive of the device. www.servicetitan.com

is suited to plumbing and HVAC applications. It features a brushless motor and is able to power

The Turbotorch purge kit includes a

through large diameter holes. Additionally, the 2711 model features a

nitrogen purge regulator, flow me-

Quik-Lok Chuck, which provides a keyless, one-handed bit change for

ter, ½ in. and ¾ in. cone plugs, and

most augers. www.milwaukeetool.com

36 in. and 72 in. standard ¼ in. hoses. It also has tools to flush and

The Fluke 1587 FC Insulation

blow components clean, such as a

Multimeter from Fluke Corp. is

blowgun, Turbo Tornado flushing attachment and needle tip. The Turbo-

a high performance wireless

torch purges systems with a low-pressure, low-volume flow of nitrogen

digital insulation tester and

that displaces oxygen, to protect systems from damage and foul smell-

full featured true-rms digital

ing filters. www.esabna.com

multimeter (DMM) combined.

As part of Fluke Connect, a

DeWalt’s

software system and over 30 wireless test tools, the 1587 FC fea-

Player (model DWST08810) pro-

ToughSystems

Music

tures PI/DAR with TrendIt graphs to identify moisture and contamina-

vides three dimensional sound.

tion problems. It has memory storage, temperature compensation and

The player integrates. with the

historical tracking. www.fluke.com

portable ToughSystem tool accessory storage solution. It offers remote control access up to

Hilti X-Change module (X-

100 ft. with Bluetooth technology connectivity from Bluetooth-enabled

CM) core bits can be re-

smartphones or music devices. The player also features multiple charg-

tipped on the jobsite us-

ing options such as a 12V/20V DeWalt Li-ion built-in battery charger, as

ing

well as a 1A USB charger. www.dewalt.com

a

screwdriver

for

improved productivity, which simplifies core and bit removal. They are available in a range of diameters from 2 in. to 8 in. www.us.hilti.com The Root Ripper from General Pipe Cleaners’ has a heavy steel spring with a tapered point which screws into roots, and a claw at the front to rip them out. It is made of hardened spring steel for durability and is coated to protect against rust. The Root Ripper can be used in combination with General’s Flexicore cables. www.drainbrain.com 56

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

HPACMAG.COM

TRAINING

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS CANADA NAIT The North Alberta Institute of Technology is offering a Hydronic Designer Core I (HDRO370) continuous intake distance learning course.

Students have nine months to complete six modules: heat, boilers, heat loss, blueprint reading, building construction and system design factors.

www.nait.ca/course_hdro370.htm

Construction Education Council courses The Construction Education Council offers a number of management and supervisory courses across Canada through webinars and classroom settings. For more information, e-mail education@mcac.ca.

www.constructioneducation.ca

TECA Quality First Training TECA’s respected Quality First training programs are developed by the industry, for the industry, setting minimum standards for the residential and light commercial heating, ventilating and cooling trade in British Columbia. Courses provide contractors the information they need to install equipment that operates safely and comfortably at rated efficiencies.

www.teca.ca

LEED Canada Canada Green Building Council workshops include LEED Green Associate Exam Preparation, Net Positive Energy Buildings, and Introduction to the LEED-v4 Rating System.

www.cagbc.org

Energy Management The Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada has workshops in cooperation with Langara College in BC, some of which lead to an energy management certificate.

www.langara.bc.ca

www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca

HRAI SkillTech Academy SkillTech Academy, the Education Division of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) offers a variety of residential and commercial courses for the advancement of its members’ business and technical excellence. For more information, contact Dorothy Allen by e-mail: dallen@hrai.ca.

www.hrai.ca/skilltechtraining.html

Canadian Hydronics Council The Art of Hydronic Fundamentals course is a starting point for those interested in installing hydronic-heating systems. The Essentials of Hydronic System Design intermediate level program helps practitioners understand key design principles and the different options and solutions required to meet client needs. Course descriptions and training schedules are available online.

www.ultimatecomfort.ca

SEE THE CALENDAR ON P59

THE SOURCE

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Adrian Steel................................................... www.AdrianSteel.com.......................................................... page 41 AHR Expo....................................................... www.ahrexpo.com................................................................ page 39 Bardon Supplies............................................. www.bardonsupplies.com..................................................... page 25 Brant Radiant Heaters.................................... www.brantradiant.com......................................................... page 15 CMPX............................................................ www.cmpxshow.ca............................................................... page 63 Delta.............................................................. www.deltacommercialfaucets.ca............................................ page 5 Fujitsu........................................................... www.airstagevrf.com............................................................ page 19 Habitat for Humanity......................................www.ciph.com/gala............................................................. page 47 HeatSpring..................................................... www.heatspring.com............................................................ page 22 Hilmor............................................................ www.hilmor.com..................................................................... page 2 IESO.............................................................. www.saveonenergy.ca/business........................................... page 43 Industrial Refrigerated Systems...................... www.indref.ca...................................................................... page 38 IPEX.............................................................. www.ipexinc.com................................................................... page 7 Liberty Pumps................................................ www.libertypumps.com........................................................ page 13 Lochinvar....................................................... www.Lochinvar.com.............................................................. page 27 Master Group................................................. www.master.ca.................................................................... page 35 Napoleon........................................................ www.napoleonheatingandcooling.com..................................... page 9 Saniflo........................................................... www.saniflo.ca..................................................................... page 31 Selkirk........................................................... www.selkirkcommercial.com................................................ page 51 Switch the ‘Stat............................................. www.switchthestat.ca.......................................................... page 12 Viessmann..................................................... www.viessmann.ca............................................................... page 23 Watts............................................................. www.OneWattsWater.com/waterquality................................ page 64 HPACMAG.COM

DECEMBER 2015 | HPAC

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FOR THE LATEST EVENT NEWS, SEE WWW.HPACMAG.COM Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) January 19-21

ASHRAE Winter Conference January 23-27

The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, in conjunction with the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The 2016 Winter ASHRAE Conference will take place at the Hilton Orlando,in Orlando, FL.

www.kbis.com

AHR Expo January 25-27 The International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition is being held at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

www.ahrexpo.com

www.ashrae.org

ACEEE Hot Water Forum February 21-23

CIPH Gala Evening March 15

CMPX March 16-18

The ACEEE Hot Water Forum (HWF) is dedicated to making water hot, distributing it with low losses, and using water with efficient fixtures and practices. Portland, OR.

The Gala Evening is in support of Habitat for Humanity and features guest speakers as well as a silent auction. It will be held at the Delta Toronto, Toronto, ON.

The Canadian Mechanical & Plumbing Exposition (CMPX), Canada’s national show for the mechanical industry, will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, ON.

www.aceee.org

www.ciph.com

www.cmpxshow.com

National HVAC/R Educators and Trainers Conference March 21-23

International Emerging Technology Symposium May 10-11

The National HVAC/R Educators and Trainers Conference will be held at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.

The two day event provides participants with the opportunity to view presentations and engage in timely discussions on critical topics.

It is being held in Rosemont, IL.

www.hvacexcellence.org

MEET May 18-19 Mechanical Electrical Electronic Technology will take place at the Moncton Coliseum Complex in Moncton, NB.

www.meetshow.ca

www.safeplumbing.org

Cleanerheat June 7-9

CIPH ABC June 26-28

The Canadian Oil Heat Association’s 33rd Annual Symposium is being held in Charlottetown, PE, at the Delta Prince Edward.

The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating will hold its annual business conference at the Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, AB.

www.cleanerheat.ca

www.ciph.com

HRAI Annual Meeting & Conference August 24-26 The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute will hold its 48th annual meeting and conference at the Hyatt Regency in Calgary, AB.

Sustainable Built Environment September 19-20

CIPHEX West November 2-3

The international Sustainable Built Environment conference series offers a seminar program, presentations of regional policy papers, and features a small number of commercial exhibits. It will be held at the Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel, Toronto, ON.

CIPHEX West Expo will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC.

www.sbcanada.org

www.ciphexwest.ca

12th IEA Heat Pump Conference: Rethink Energy May 15-18 The conference is being held at the World Trade Centre in Rotterdam and will showcase the latest development and prospects in technology, applications and markets.

www.hpc2017.org

2017

www.hrai.ca

ISH March 14-18 The world’s largest showcase for innovative bathroom design, energy efficient heating and air-conditioning technology will be held at Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

www.ish.messefrankfurt.com

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DECEMBER 2015 | HPAC

59

< HVAC

The essential ingredients A recipe for proper kitchen exhaust and make-up air design in single family residences. By Robert Bean

I

ers that the smorgasbord of pollutants we sense as aromas, heat and moisture from indoor cooking are reaching concentration levels, which if measured outdoors would have environmental protection agencies shutting down kitchens and issuing fines.

Since there are no environmental protection regulations governing indoor residential kitchens, your lungs, skin and digestive systems have become the de facto filter for a soufflé of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehydes, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, fine and ultrafine particles and other pollutants associated with meal preparation.

Toss in the exposed interior design features and what is left behind is an accumulation of contaminants in the form of chemical films, soot and odours on surfaces, similar in affect to what one finds in the homes of smokers.

To be clear, like many IAQ issues, the concern is not so much the exposure from a single meal preparation but rather the accumulation of hundreds and thousands of exposures to irritants known to be responsible for respiratory problems and cardiovascular disease.

And once again those highest at risk are women and children.

This does not matter if it is not a sur-

am smiling as I write this article because I think we might actually be making progress in the world of kitchen exhaust and make-up air systems. Let me explain. While en route to a recent project meeting I was fully expecting to educate another architect, interior designer, appliance salesperson and owner about the perils and pitfalls of commercial gas fired ranges in residential buildings.

You know the conversation. It is the one where an appliance’s sexiness induces a brain fog that causes some creative types to head butt the basic laws of physics and chemistry. But to my elation this team had been doing their homework, having studied the most recent indoor air quality (IAQ) research involving kitchen cooktops and range hoods from a scientist out of Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory (LBNL).

Let’s take a step back (and have some fun with food puns) and ask why would LBNL get funding to look at something that seems to be as routine as poutine. I mean fixing up dinner is pretty much “well done” – right?

Well, it turns out (again) that the things we do on autopilot in our homes are coming back to bite us in the rump roast. It is now apparent to research-

Table 1 Minimum exhaust air flow rates from electric or gas cooktops Range width (inches)

Minimum Exhaust Air for Cooktops Electric cooktop

30

36

48

60

Range Hood Type

Rate

Wall mount hood

100 CFM/ft. of cook top

150

250

300

400

500

island mount hood

150 CFM/ft. of cook top

188

375

450

600

750

Minimum Exhaust Air for Cooktops Rate Range Hood Type Gas cooktop 100 CFM/10,000 Btu/hr all

60

15

HPAC | DECEMBER 2015

Exhaust Fan Capacity, CFM

Burner Input (Btu/hr) 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000

Exhaust Fan Capacity, CFM 500

600

700

800

900

prise to you but it does matter that it is a big surprise to most consumers.

This explains why residential kitchen ventilation system must be seen as part of an aggregate solution to IAQ problems. It also draws attention to the importance of incorporating cooktop exhaust at the early stages of design and why it should not be placed in the hands of appliance dealers.

HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH? What do various codes and standards have to say about exhaust air? In Canada (subject to depressurization limits) you will find text along these lines, “…the NBC requires that make-up air systems be provided for any exhaust device (or group of devices operated from a single control) which exhausts more than 75 L/s (150 cfm)” and, “Clothes dryers, central vacs, range hoods, downdraft cooktops, supplemental exhaust fans and HRVs with unbalanced defrost cycles are examples of appliances that may require make-up air.”

In the U.S., the Department of Energy advises, based on industry standards, to use a minimum five ACH which in a 20' x 10' x 9' kitchen works out to 75 L/s (150 cfm).

These statements lead us to ask, “How much exhaust air should be needed?” It is no surprise that it depends on the characteristics of the home and its ventilation system (moisture, infiltration and back drafting concerns), meal preparation (culture, style, habits and hygiene) and the characteristics of the appliances. For example, there is a big difference between stir frying a chicken versus boiling its eggs, whether that is done on a gas or electric range, and whether it is done in a leaky or tight home. For this HPACMAG.COM

type typical for halogen and induction models with element capacity’s ranging from 700 W to 3700 W and in cooktop widths of 15", 30", 36", 48" and 60".

Table 1 provides general guidance for minimum exhaust air flow rates from either electric or gas ranges with various hood types. The operative word in the preceding sentence is “general” since the additional factors of home characteristics and cooking culture must be considered in selecting this value. Note there is a strong voice against the perceived high rates published in Table 1 but the arguments against such high rates are based on concerns of back drafting of combustion devices and not the generation and repeated exposure to cooktop associated pollutants. The latter being the argument I support.

RANGE HOODS

First things first, the hood for collecting or trapping the cooking plumes should be seen as a capFigure 1 Kitchen exhaust versus heat gain ture device and not the suction end of a vacuum.

Spilling Capturing In other words, hoods strictly do not suck but the duct connected to the hood does. This is not semantics. It is much like the comparison between Capture & supply air diffusers and Containment placement of return air Convection Improving Commercial Kitchen Ventilation System Performance grills; or swimming pool outlets and placement of Performance testing in accordance with ASTM F-1704 at the CKV Labora- Radiant tory in Wood Dale, IL, incorporates a schlieren flow-visualization system to verify  inlet. You have to moticapture and containment. This system is a major breakthrough for visualizing ther- vate the air or water with mal and effluent plumes from cooking processes. “Schlieren” is derived from the  Hood Exhaust Rates positive pressure into the German word for “smear.”  A schlieren system presents an amplified optical image   vicinity of the suction for (see Figure 2) due to the different air densities, similar to the mirage effect we see  Figure 2 Schlieren images at it to be pulled out of the over hot pavement.   different exhaust rates per linear foot (lf). space. That fluid stream in the vicinity of the exhaust hood can be disHood Hood turbed or even interrupted Capture and with competing air velocContainment Spillage ities rendering the exat 220 cfm/lf of Plume hausting of pollutants at 165cfm/lf ineffective (see Figure 1).

Range Top Range Top Hood and grease filter (side view) (side view)  design is an art as much Space Heat Gain

Figure 2 © 2002 California Energy Commission

mages tes

reason, designers are cautioned to not use recommend minimum values as maximum in practice.

The people who write codes, standards and guidelines can hardly be expected to know how your client’s house will perform or be operated after constructed, nor can they anticipate the meal culture of that specific family. Rates have been developed based on appliance characteristics – so let’s talk about cooktops.

Gas ranges are commonly available with various combinations of 9 000, 12 000 and 18 000 Btuh per burner. A conservative four burner range could easily reach 45 000 Btuh and for the uber chef as much as 108 000 Btuh.

To put this in perspective, with that latter amount, you could heat an 11 000 ft2 Type 4 high performance home in the coldest climates on earth.

Electric ranges are commonly available in a resistive coil or sealed surface

HPACMAG.COM Replacement (Makeup) Air Distribution Air that is removed from the kitchen through an exhaust hood must be re-

as a science. Its effectiveness is based on the physics of energy and mass flow, the necessary geometry for capture and proximity to the cooktop (see Figure 2). At a minimum, wall hoods must be at least as wide as the cooking surface. The better design is to allow for an overhang of at least two inches on either side and over the front of the range.

Island hoods should have at least a three-inch overhang on all sides meaning a 36" cook top should have a 42" hood width. Downdraft “hoods” must be as wide as the cooktop but unless recent technological improvements have been made to increase their effectiveness, I personally do not recommend them. Likewise I do not recommend flat or shallow sumps but do favour the deeper sumps.

The distance from the cooktop to the leading edge of the hood (a.k.a the clearance height) affects capture effectiveness. This is in part dictated by building codes, which in Canada generally state the minimum clearance required directly above the cooktop burner or element to a combustible surface is 750mm (30") or 600mm (24") to non-combustibles. In contrast, the U.S.-based International Code Council states, “A clearance of at least 24 inches (610 mm) shall be maintained between the cooking surface and the combustible material or cabinet.” What is the explanation for the difference in clearance to combustibles (750mm (30") in Canada versus 610mm (24") in the U.S.)?

Though the closer the hood is to the cooktop the better, there comes a “distance of practicality” for accessibility for cooking, cleaning and maintenance.

For distances greater than 30" and with wider hoods, a higher capacity fan is required. Designers need to consult with the appliance manufacturer for additional clearances, as well as any special requirements from the local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ). continued on p62 DECEMBER 2015 | HPAC

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< HVAC continued from p61 In Canada, required clearances around the cooktop and hood are found in the NBC 2010 Section 9.10.22, 9.32.2, 9.33.3, 9.33.5 and Appendix items A-9.10.22, Figure A-9.10.22 and A-9.32.3.3.(10).

Figure 3 Typical hybrid exhaust and make-up air system

THE EXHAUST DUCT AND FAN The exhaust duct from the range hood to the wall or roof hood should be as short as possible but not at the single expense of noise, otherwise occupants will refrain from using the system. Where possible, have at least 24” to 36” before elbows and transitions and install silencers as directed by manufacturers.

Do not install ribbed flex connectors or any conduit that could capture and accumulate grease. The duct must be constructed with a galvanized sheet metal or stainless steel (no flex duct), and be completely sealed and terminated with a screened hood with a back draft damper. Pollutants must be exhausted directly outdoors and be independent of any other exhaust system (i.e. not connected to an ERV/HRV or other exhaust system or ducts used in the ventilation of the building). It must be insulated and horizontal runs sloped, and if condensation is a risk, provisions must be made to capture the condensate.

In my practice I select kitchen exhaust duct diameters and fans to maintain between 1100 and 1500 fpm to ensure heavier pollutants remain airborne but know this is an area of contention. Some designers use more aggressive values and some more conservative. Because of these higher air velocities and potential for noise I am not a proponent of integrated fan/ hoods. I prefer to place inline type blowers more towards the exterior rather than closer to the cooktop. If the entire system can be designed for three to five sones measured at the remote inline fan you will be in the ballpark for acceptable noise (normal conversation is about four sones).

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MAKE-UP AIR Make-up air systems should be designed according to the requirements of CSA F326 or ASHRAE 62.2 or where permitted, GM-1501. In the U.S. the International Code Council states, “Exhaust hood systems capable of exhausting in excess of 400 cubic feet per minute (0.19 m3/s) shall be provided with make-up air at a rate approximately equal to the exhaust air rate. Such makeup air systems shall be equipped with a means of closure and shall be automatically controlled to start and operate simultaneously with the exhaust system.”

This is considerably higher than the 150 cfm required in Canada (again subject to depressurization limits); and the damper controlled make-up air interlocked with the exhaust fan to control pressure might be a simple solution in moderate climates but in extreme climates this could create serious thermal comfort and building moisture issues.

For this reason you can find statements like this, “The NBC requires that makeup air be heated to at least 12 °C if it is introduced directly to a living area in the house.” In my opinion this is much too low when standalone high capacity ventilation systems are used and in practice we discharge to temperatures within a few degrees of room temperature.

For noise consideration we select fans and duct diameters for 600 to 800 fpm and select registers for low noise and placement so the supply air velocity does not disturb the cooking plumes. Preheat

or reheat coils should be protected with MERV 8 filtration and a minimum MERV 11 downstream of the coils in the primary supply air stream. Coils, if hydronic, should have freeze protection. I prefer constant circulation with a glycol mix to outdoor design conditions (see Figure 3) but we have also used variable flow using three way diverting valves.

The biggest challenge with make-up air systems is the lack of capacity coordination between the exhaust hood and the make-up air fan. More often than not we come across designs where the exhaust fan is variable speed and the make-up air is multi speed or vice versa.

Sometimes this cannot be avoided so it makes it tricky to create balanced ventilation flow. My advice to manufacturers of residential kitchen exhaust and make-up systems is to provide identical motor and control configurations.

Obviously this is not the whole meat and potatoes. There is more to the discussion but you do get a taste for what should be considered for a safe and functional residential cooktop exhaust and make-up air system. All puns intended.

Robert Bean, who is president of Indoor Climate Consultants Inc., is a Registered Engineering Technologist in building construction through the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta and a Professional Licensee in mechanical engineering through the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta. He has served two terms as an ASHRAE distinguished lecturer, serves on ASHRAE committees TC 6.1 (Hydronics), TC 6.5 (Radiant), TC 7.4 (Exergy) and SSPC 55 (Thermal Comfort) and is a recipient of ASHRAE's Lou Flagg Award.

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