Issuu

HYDRONIC PRODUCT SHOWCASE

A NEW APPROACH TO ICE MAKING

SUPERMARKET REFRIGERATION

CHASING LEAKS-

INFRARED IMAGING IN PLUMBING APPS

GREAT YEARS

WHAT’S NEW WITH

ALSO INSIDE

AIR HANDLERS?

MODERN HYDRONICS 2016 SPRING

FEBRUARY 2016

BOILER PLANT REVITALIZATION: POINTS TO PONDER

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON FLOW VELOCITY PUMP SIZING HOW TO GET IT RIGHT

a publication of

@hpacmag @hpacmag

MOISTURE CONTROL FACTS PRODUCT SHOWCASE COMBINED INSTALLATIONS: HEALTH & SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

Viega system solutions

The right choice for commercial properties “Our standard is Viega ProPress®. It’s turned out to be one of the best plumbing innovations I have had the pleasure to work with.”

The Smart Connect® feature provides installers added confidence in their ability to ensure the integrity of connections

Fred Morissette Southland Industries Las Vegas, NV

Cylindrical pipe guides ensure proper alignment Press fittings are available in multiple materials, configurations and sizes

Finish your next repair or installation faster with Viega ProPress systems. With system-matched tools and jaws, no calibration is required and connections are made in less than seven seconds, making them ideal for large commercial or residential properties such as hotels, apartments and condos. Viega ProPress is the original copper press joining solution and is also available in stainless. • Fast installation and repairs in occupied facilities with minimal shutdown time • Confident connections with the patented Viega Smart Connect feature • No soldering means connections are made without burn permits or fire watches For more information, call 800-976-9819 or visit www.viega.us T H E

G L O B A L

L E A D E R

I N

P L U M B I N G ,

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A N D

P I P E

J O I N I N G

S Y S T E M S

FEBRUARY 2016

VOL. 90 NO. 1

TENTS

MH4 HEALTHY CIRCULATION

14 HVAC/R

It is time to get serious about water quality in every hydronic system. By John Siegenthaler

WHAT’S NEW WITH AIR HANDLERS?

The AHU has undergone many changes since gravity warm furnaces were the norm. By Ian McTeer

MH10 THE LOGIC OF MOISTURE MANAGEMENT Condensation is not the dark side of chilled water and radiant cooling systems. By Robert Bean

MH14 16 REFRIGERATION

YELLOWKNIFE TAKES STEPS TO REDUCE ITS ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT

The city’s Multiplex has undergone a technological upgrade to save energy. By Beth McKay

HYDRONIC PRODUCT SHOWCASE

MH22 GETTING IT RIGHT Pump sizing is a relatively easy exercise. By Steve Goldie

MH26

MIXING HYDRONIC HEATING WATER WITH POTABLE WATER Designers and installers must be aware of potential issues when considering heat sources. By Lance MacNevin

49 PLUMBING CHASING LEAKS

Thermography and its role in solving plumbing-related moisture problems. By Tracy Ryan Jastrow

55 EVENT PREVIEW Rotterdam to host the IEA Heat Pump Conference

MH28 REPLACING BOILERS IN EXISTING BUILDINGS 56 REFRIGERANTS

KEEPING UP THE DIALOGUE

More effective and reliable, CO2 refrigeration systems are inspiring end user confidence. By Luc Boily

HPACMAG.COM

Boiler replacement is sometimes viewed as an easy task, but if it is done right, it can be challenging. By Mike Miller

DEPARTMENTS 4 Upfront

Association Milestones 6N ews Feature Excellent showing for mechanical industry at construction awards 8 Industry News

52 HVAC/R Products 58 Mechanical Supply News 61 People On the Move 61 The Source 62 Training 62 Calendar FEBRUARY 2016 | HPAC

< UPFRONT LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD HPAC is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year and to mark our 90th we will include historical content in each issue. One of my first assignments with HPAC was to create the 75th anniversary issue, which provided me with a great perspective on the industry. It has been a pleasure reporting on the progress the mechanical and plumbing industry has made. HPAC’s success is largely due to its readers, columnists and writers, and suppliers to the industry. We thank you for your loyalty and support over the years and look forward to sharing our anniversary with you!

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

Editor

A SNAPSHOT OF ASSOCIATION MILESTONES CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF PLUMBING & HEATING

Founded in 1933 in Montreal, the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) is a not for profit trade association representing manufacturers, wholesaler distributors, master distributors, manufacturers’ agents and allied companies. It consists of nine active regions, with Ontario being the first to be established in 1965. There are a number of active councils in the organizational structure, including the Canadian Hydronics Council (CHC), which was established within CIPH in 1966. The ‘80s brought a move of CIPH’s offices to Toronto as well as a new logo to commemorate its 50th anniversary in 1983. In 1995, CIPH and the Corporation of Master Pipe-Mechanics of Quebec (CMMTQ) merged individual shows to create the Mecanex show in Montreal.

REFRIGERATION SERVICE ENGINEERS SOCIETY CANADA Founded in the 1930s, the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) Canada is an education and training organization for HVAC/R professionals. RSES has chapters in the United States and Canada, as well as affiliate organizations in other countries.

HEATING, REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING INSTITUTE OF CANADA The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) was founded in 1968. The non-profit trade association represents manufacturers, wholesalers and contractors in the Canadian heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industry. In addition to fulfilling the educational and training needs of the industry, HRAI has been recognized for its work towards the elimination of ozone-depleting substances.

CANADIAN OIL HEAT ASSOCIATION Formed in 1983 by a group of Ontario retail fuel oil dealers, the Canadian Oil Heat Association (COHA) has, for the past 32 years, worked to promote the benefits of oil heat and protect the interests of the industry.

MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF CANADA The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) has come a long way since its inception in 1895 as the National Association of Master Plumbers, Gas, Steam, and Hot Water Fitters of the Dominion of Canada. The association first met in Montreal 106 years ago. In 1914 it underwent a name change, becoming the Canadian Society of Domestic, Sanitary, and Heating Engineers. By year’s end, however, the national association was placed in abeyance until 1942 when the federal government requested that the association reconvene. MCAC adopted its current name in 1972. More recently MCAC established the Canadian Mechanical Contracting Education Foundation (now the Construction Education Council), the Mechanical Service Contractors of Canada (MSCC) and spearheaded the creation of the National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada (NTCCC). 4

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2016

ACCOUNT Cheryl Fisher (416) 510-5194 COORDINATOR CFisher@annexbizmedia.com CIRCULATION MANAGER Urszula Grzyb (416) 442-5600 ext. 3537 ugrzyb@annexbizmedia.com PUBLISHER Peter Leonard (416) 510-6847 PLeonard@hpacmag.com

ANNEX PUBLISHING & PRINTING INC. VICE PRESIDENT Tim Dimopoulos (416) 510-5100 tdimopoulos@annexbizmedia.com PRESIDENT & CEO Mike Fredericks mfredericks@annexweb.com PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40065710, REGISTRATION NO. 10815 Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning (established 1925) is published 7 times per year by Annex Publishing & Printing Inc. HPAC Magazine is the leading Canadian business publication for the owner/manager of mechanical contracting businesses and their supply partners. ISSN: 0017-9418 Contents Copyright © 2016 by Annex Publishing & Printing Inc. may not be reprinted without permission. SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: To subscribe, renew your subscription or to change your address or information please visit us at www.hpacmag.com. Subscription Price per year: $40.00 CDN; Outside Canada per year: $80.00 US; Single copy Canada: $5.00 CDN. Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning is published 7 times per year except for occasional combined, expanded or premium issues, which count as two subscription issues. MAIL PREFERENCES: From time to time we make our subscription list available to select companies and organizations whose product or service may interest you. If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact us via one of the following methods: Tel: 800.387.0273, Fax: 416.442.2191; E-mail: vmoore@ annexnewcom.ca; or by mail: Privacy Office, 80 Valleybrook Dr., Toronto, ON M3B 2S9. HPAC Magazine receives unsolicited materials (including letters to the editor, press releases, promotional items and images) from time to time. HPAC Magazine, its affiliates and assignees may use, reproduce, publish, re-publish, distribute, store and archive such unsolicited submissions in whole or in part in any form or medium whatsoever, without compensation of any sort. NOTICE: HPAC Magazine, Annex Publishing & Printing Inc., their staff, officers, directors and shareholders (hence known as the “Publisher”) assume no liability, obligations, or responsibility for claims arising from advertised products. The Publisher also reserves the right to limit liability for editorial errors, omissions and oversights to a printed correction in a subsequent issue. HPAC Magazine’s editorial is written for management level mechanical industry personnel who have documented training in the mechanical fields in which they work. Manufacturers’ printed instructions, datasheets and notices always take precedence to published editorial statements. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

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HPACMAG.COM

NEWS FEATURE

Excellent showing for mechanical industry at construction awards

lpha Mechanical Contracting Ltd. and Dual Mechanical were honoured for their work on the Vancouver Aquarium and at Seabreeze Farm, respectively, in the Vancouver Regional Construction Association’s 27th annual Awards of Excellence last fall. Eleven winners were selected from 128 entrants and 37 projects, which represented $500-million of construction throughout BC. In the Mechanical Contractors – Over $2.5 Million Category, Alpha Mechanical Contracting Ltd. received an award of excellence for its contribution to the Vancouver Aquarium expansion and revitalization project. The Port Coquitlam company installed critical systems, including the district energy system, vertical space miser pumps, infloor slab heating system, life support systems, water source heat pumps and a hidden fire protection system. Work also included the installation of 50 000 points of stainless steel and galvanized ductwork, seven air handling units, two heat pumps, one cooling tower, 27 fan coil units and 14 radiant pumps. Due to the lack of schematic drawings for existing hydronic systems, Alpha had to search for as-built drawings and trace piping networks to the correct tie-ins. While working in very humid conditions, the contractor also had to find and deal with sounds that bothered the animals. To address the humidity, PVCcoated steel and phenolic closed cell insulation was installed. Dual Mechanical Ltd. was the winner in the Mechanical Contractors – Up to $2.5 Million category for its role in designing a farm-based anaerobic digester system at Seabreeze Dairy

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2016

Farm in Ladner. The farm is now combining agricultural and non-agricultural waste to harness and utilize greenhouse gasses that would otherwise vent into the atmosphere. Under FortisBC’s renewable natural gas program, this biogas is purified on site and injected into Seabreeze’s natural gas system. This project will process the farm’s dairy manure and approximately 12 000 tons of off-farm organics per year. The facility will produce biogas that will be cleaned and sold to FortisBC and injected into the existing natural gas pipeline. A unique aspect of this project is the digestate that is produced will be further processed on-site to create a number of co-products. First, the digestate will separate solids to produce bedding that is used on the farm. The phosphorus in the soil is also recovered from the liquid digestate to produce more phosphorus-rich soil for use by local farmers. These farmers currently have to import phosphorus on to their farms for their crops. This process will leave a liquid digestate with lower phosphorus levels that can be more easily applied to the surrounding fields. In addition to the Gold Awards for project specific excellence, awards were also presented to member companies and individuals for outstanding accomplishments and to recognize innovation and commitment to safety. Paul Myers from Keith Plumbing and Heating Co. Ltd. received a Lifetime Achievement Award. Myers was most recently in the news after his $25-million donation to the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation (see HPAC October, 2015, p24). VRCA is now accepting nominations for its 2016 project awards. The submission deadline is April 18, 2016. For

Totalling $45-million, Phase 1B was the first of three planned revitalization projects undertaken by the Vancouver Aquarium.

Photo Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre

SEE THE LATEST HPAC E-NEWSLETTER @ HPACMAG.COM

The mechanical room at Seabreeze Dairy Farm. Using VFD pumps, a one million Btu boiler supplies heating to the three tanks. The system, which is a primary/secondary heating system, maintains a constant 98C to the hydrolyzer, liquid and digester tanks. The tanks all have a mix of wall and infloor heat. The system is designed to maintain the digester of 2500 m3 at 40C, hydrolyzer (260 m3) at 25C and liquid tanks (200 m3) at 15C.

In the observation room, 2500 m3 of digestate on the other side of the lower part of the wall can be viewed through the two port holes in the lower left side of the picture. The heating manifolds supply heat to the tank wall and there is 2.5 km of piping wrapping the inside of the tank. Temperature is a constant 40C. Insulated stainless steel piping seen on the right are the hydrolyzer and manure inlets to the digester. The hydrolyzed solids are injected using a 1000 gallon per min submersible pump. Manure comes from the farm’s washdown system by use of a piston pump.

more information contact the VRCA at awards@vrca.bc.ca. www.vrca.bc.ca www.dualmechanical.com www.alphamechanical.ca HPACMAG.COM

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INDUSTRY NEWS

SEE THE LATEST HPAC E-NEWSLETTER @ HPACMAG.COM ECONOMIC MERITS OF GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION According to a recent study published in the Journal of Portfolio Management, green building certification is shown to improve property performance. This means that investment in sustainable buildings results in long-term economic benefits. The study uncovered both tangible and intangible benefits, with similar results in the U.S. and Canada. The international research team that authored the study looked over 10-year financial data and other metrics across an office portfolio of 300 buildings at Bentall-Kennedy – real estate investment advisory and services firm – that totalled nearly 5.4 million square metres. They looked at rental and occupancy rates, and additionally reported on intangible benefits such as tenant satisfaction and lease renewals. When compared to non-certified buildings, LEED-or BOMA BEST-certified buildings were found to have advantages that include: Net effective rents, including the cost of tenant incentives, are on average 3.7 per cent higher in LEED-certified properties in the U.S.; energy consumption per square foot was 14 per cent lower in the U.S. LEEDcertified properties; net effective rents, including the cost of tenant incentives, are on average nearly four per cent higher in LEED certified properties in the U.S.; tenant renewal rates were nearly six per cent higher in Canadian buildings with BOMA BEST level three certification; and tenant satisfaction scores were seven per cent higher in Canadian buildings with BOMA BEST level three or four certification. Since the study was conducted, BOMA BEST has rebranded its certification program. Level three certification is known as Gold, and level four certification is now known as Platinum. www.bomabest.com www.bentallkennedy.com

CMPX 2016 SPEAKERS AND SHOW FEATURES FIRMED UP Slated for March 16 to 18, 2016, CMPX 2016 will feature over 500 exhibitors in the 200 000 sq. ft. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building. The cost is $10 per person for advance registration (online registration is now open). Organizers encourage you to check out the roster of daily keynote speakers. Keynote breakfasts are $25 per person, per session, including a continental breakfast. The first breakfast keynote speaker is HPAC hydronic columnist John Siegenthaler. Siegenthaler’s session on Thursday, March 17, is a 90-minute workshop addressing the basics of low ambient air-to-water heat pumps. He will give examples of how these heat pumps can be combined with hydronic heating and cooling distribution systems. 8

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2016

Siegenthaler will also compare the performance and cost of such systems to that of a geothermal-source water-to-water heat pump system. Two new presentations have been announced. Slated for March 16, the sessions are open to all CMPX attendees. Tim Keane will present Water Quality – Legionella Prevention and Fred Bauman will present Comfort and Efficiency of Radiant Heat/Cool Systems and Thermally Activated Building Systems (TABS). The presentations are sponsored by Viega, which also held sessions by these speakers in New York, NY in October, 2015. HPAC was there and we encourage you to see HPAC December 2015 issue, p10 for more details. A new CMPX “Connections” show floor theatre is the venue for the free Learning Forum sessions. ASHRAE will be hosting courses on Tuesday, March 15 and Wednesday, March 16. At the HRAI Skills Centre, secondary and postsecondary students will compete in industry-specific competitions demonstrating skill sets and knowledge required to be a successful heating systems technician. As in previous years, one lucky visitor to the show will win a 2016 Chevrolet City Express van with custom racking interior by Farmbro, compliments of CMPX. www.cmpx.com PROVINCE OF BC FUNDS TRADES PROGRAM Fourteen people are receiving training and work experience for in-demand trade jobs as part of a $104,000 provincially funded, 19-week program at Sprott Shaw College-Abbotsford in British Columbia. The Trades for Tomorrow program consists of 12 weeks of in-class training, followed by seven weeks of on the job work experience with local employers. Participants will then have career preparation and job search support to help secure work in their chosen trade. The program is expected to wrap up in April 2016. BC currently has more people leaving the trade workforce than new workers joining. The province expects to need thousands of tradespeople by the year 2024. With programs like Trades for Tomorrow that are part of BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, the province is attempting to fill these job openings. The Blueprint focuses on shifting toward a data-driven labour market planning model so training dollars and programs are aligned with in-demand jobs, now and in the future. The BC government continues to invest more than $94 million annually through the Industry Training Authority, which leads and co-ordinates the province’s skilled trades system. www.workbc.ca

continued on 10 HPACMAG.COM

< INDUSTRY NEWS continued from 8 CALEFFI NAMES 2015 EXCELLENCE CONTEST WINNER Bill Olschewski of Tip Top Plumbing in Winkler, MB and a guest of his choice will be off to Italy to see Caleffi’s world headquarters where they will receive a personalized tour of its factories and design facilities. Olschewski is the grand prize winner in the year-long Caleffi Excellence contest. The contest is a platform where designers and installers of hydronic or plumbing systems can showcase their work and receive national recognition. The top 12 monthly finalists, as determined by most votes received from the Coffee with Caleffi webinar series, received an iPad mini. Ryan Bristow of Equipco Ltd. (l) Olschewski’s project, which and Excellence contest winner Bill was the April 2015 winner, Olschewski of Tip Top Plumbing.

was selected from a panel of industry experts and Caleffi executives. His mechanical room upgrade included creating five zones using Caleffi zone valves and relay controls to simplify programming and wiring for a homeowner’s combination heating/cooling and domestic hot water system. The Caleffi Excellence contest resumes on January 1, 2016. http://us.caleffiexcellence.com REGISTRATION TRACKING SYSTEMS MADE EASIER FOR BUILDING PRACTITIONERS In the fall, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing of Ontario launched an online qualification and registration tracking system called QuARTS for building practitioners. Annual registration applies to building officials, certain classes of designers, on-site sewage system (OSS) installers and registered code agencies (RCAs). With the new QuARTS code, all transactions (including initial registration and renewals) can be completed online and paid for with a credit or debit card. The program also features automatic e-mails when the ministry has received an application. It also offers a 60-day renewal notice by e-mail, as well as an e-mail notification after expiry. www.mah.gov.on.ca

Bill Olschewski’s mechanical room upgrade is a combination heating/cooling and domestic hot water system.

continued on 12

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< INDUSTRY NEWS continued from 10 ECO-FRIENDLY SCHOOLS EARN SOME RECOGNITION The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) and the Canada Coalition for Green Schools recently announced that St. Marguerite d’Youville elementary school in Hamilton, ON and Queen Elizabeth high school in Edmonton, AB were the 2015 first place winners in the Greenest School in Canada competition. Highlights from Queen Elizabeth high school include the installation of Smart Meters and light sensors to assess potential for natural day lighting. The school also monitors CO2 levels and incorporated planter boxes, green walls and an aquaponics system into the classrooms to address and manage the daily CO2 increase. St. Marguerite d’Youville reduced waste by 90 per cent through the implementation of major recycling, waste control and composting programs. The winning schools received $2000 in prize money to use for green activity and will be the official Canadian entries into the Greenest School on Earth competition. The 2016 Greenest School in Canada competition will open early this year. Schools are judged based upon efficient use of resources and reduced environmental impact, enhanced health and learning, with an emphasis on sustainability and resourceconservation education. www.cagbc.org

ALBERTA ISSUES CHANGES TO GAS CODE REGS New gas code regulations came into effect on January 1, 2016 under Alberta’s Safety Codes Act. The new regulations include CSA-B149.1-15 – Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code. This code provides the minimum requirements for the installation of natural gas and propane appliances and equipment downstream of a natural gas meter or from a propane

distributor’s tank. CSA-B149.2-15–Propane Storage and Handling Code. This code provides the minimum requirements for the storage, handling, transportation and transfer of propane. CSA-B149.3-15–Code for the field approval of fuelrelated components on appliances and equipment. This code applies to the requirements for site-specific fuel burning appliances and equipment for where there is no recognized Canadian standard. Other code changes include: CSA-B149.5-15 – Installation Code for Propane Fuel Systems and Tanks on Highway Vehicles; CSA-B108-14–NGV Refuelling Stations Installation Code; and CSA-B109- 14 – Natural Gas for Vehicles Installation Code. www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca VIEGA BROADENS ITS TRAINING BOUNDARIES Viega LLC is now offering expanded training options for international groups as well as French- and Spanishspeaking participants. The company training is being provided in a variety of formats ranging from single and multi-day courses, to onsite installation demonstrations, as well as full day seminars across North America. “We’ve drawn more contractor participants than ever before and watched attendance grow. We’ve received very positive comments on Viega striving to meet the needs of contractors. Often it’s the first manufacturer training in French they have received and they are more comfortable with everything presented,” said Francis Longtin, district sales manager for Viega in Quebec. Industry-related education is available for every experience level, from beginner system installers to skilled engineers on subjects including press technology, gas-fitting, pathogen prevention, radiant design, solar and geothermal systems, radiant heating and cooling, hydronics and more. www.viega.us

Online Learning – from the masters Integrated HVAC Engineering Expert Instructor: Robert Bean • Online: March 21 - May 29, 2016 INTEGRATED HVAC ENGINEERING

Run thermal comfort calculations, submit designs for a radiant-based HVAC system with DOAS, and make recommendations to improve IEQ and energy efficiency through architectural, building, and interior systems. During Integrated HVAC Engineering, you will study the complex interaction of room air temperature, humidity, mean radiant temperature, ventilation rate, lighting, sound, and even odours that determine the true quality of an interior environment. Numerous calculation and modeling exercises will allow you to immediately apply what you’ve learned. The course includes a variety of Excel tools for performing critical calculations, such as: the inside surface temperature of walls, ventilation rates for the current and previous version of ASHRAE Standard 62.2, exergy, and much more.

For more information and to register visit www.hpacmag.com/bean

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2016

HPACMAG.COM

SOME TRADES GET NICER TOOLS THAN OTHERS.

Loving what you do is a lot easier when you drive one of these to work. With the GM Business Choice program, you’ll have access to options that help offset the cost of getting your new GM vehicles work-ready. Upgrade your vehicle with Adrian Steel® exclusively designed load runner, racks, and toolbox (value of up to $19741), or receive up to $750 1 to add your own accessories. See fleet.gm.ca for Business Elite dealers in your area.

2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO

Adrian Steel is a registered trademark of Adrian Steel. 1 Value of equipment depends on upfit package selected. Customer may choose only one of the four available options per ®eligible vehicle. All incentive packages are tax inclusive and include parts and labour. Business Choice program valid toward the purchase or lease of eligible new GM vehicles in Canada

for eligible companies with an active FAN or business number. See Dealer for full program details and eligibility. Contact your local dealer for details on all 4 Business Choice options. This offer expires September 30, 2016. ©Copyright 2015 General Motors of Canada Company. Not valid with all offers. See dealer for details. Take delivery by 9/30/16. IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT ALTERATIONS AND WARRANTIES: Installations or alterations to the original-equipment vehicle or chassis as distributed by General Motors are not covered by the General Motors New-Vehicle Limited Warranty. The special body company, assembler, equipment installer, or upfitter is solely responsible for warranties on the body or equipment and any alterations (or any effect of the alterations) to any of the parts, components, systems, or assemblies installed by GM. GM is not responsible for the safety or quality of design, features, materials, or workmanship of any alterations by such suppliers.

< HVAC

What’s new in air handlers?

The AHU has undergone many changes since gravity warm furnaces were the norm. BY IAN MCTEER

f you could be an HVAC system component for a day, which one would you be? Maybe an electronically controlled fan motor, since they are all the rage these days; or, I know: a thermostat! When a start-up thermostat company sells for $3.2 billion dollars, you have got to know where all the glamour is these days. I am betting one component you would not want to be is an air handling unit (AHU). Tucked away in attics, crawl spaces, closets, alcoves, tight mechanical rooms, roof tops and above dropped ceilings, this hard working machine is often the most neglected part of a system. By the time I started working in the industry, many residential buildings had gravity (octopus) warm air furnaces. Some were still burning coal, but oilfired versions were the most popular. The gravity furnace graduated into an AHU, however, these gigantic cast iron behemoths, along with their component large round ducts, took up too much space and were replaced by considerably smaller oil and gas furnaces. Eventually, the concept of perimeter heating (supplying warm air to the perimeter of the room) took over from gravity systems. Original forced warm air heating system designs typically placed the air handler at, or near, the centre of

Figure 3 14

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2016

the building. This approach allowed equal lengths of trunk duct running each way from the AHU. This minimized friction and dynamic losses caused by elbows, abrupt transitions and offsets. By the late 1970s, basements had become “unfinished recreation rooms.” Builders and homebuyers wanted the AHU out of sight and out of mind. AHUs were often more window dressing than an efficient heating system. Invariably, these systems had too many changes in direction using elbows with square throats (and no turning vanes) or a very small throat radius.

MODERN AIR HANDLERS Today, there is a cornucopia of air handlers available for residential and commercial applications. Gas and oil-fired AHUs can be part of a multi-zoned approach, but they suffer a bit in terms of flexibility. They must be close to an appropriate vent termination point and sometimes multi-poised furnaces are difficult to install and service. The latest AHUs forming the indoor section of conventional heat pumps can be used almost anywhere in any configuration. The last AHU I worked with had a modular cabinet, metal skin with plastic interior, blower in the bottom part of the cabinet, aluminum coil, serial port ECM, electronic expansion valve, communicating controls, and could accept electric heating elements or a hydronic coil (as shown in Figure 1). It could be part of a single

Figure 1

zone or multi zone system when combined with an outdoor unit having capacity control. Such units are, typically, very tall. Many have the blower in the upper portion of the cabinet requiring all return air through the bottom. In such cases, this kind of AHU should be installed horizontally which, in my view, limits its flexibility in some situations.

VRF TECHNOLOGY I am very impressed by the inverter drive, variable refrigerant flow heat pumps made by several manufacturers. Initially, the air handler options were self-contained “free delivery” wall mounted or ceiling cassettes that permitted multiple zoning capabilities. Some systems can heat and cool at the same time, all the while producing maximum heating performance to well below 0C. Now, ducted air handlers are available. Anton Wolmarans, general manager of Multi HVAC Inc. explains, “their air handling units are specifically designed for use with the manufacturers’ single and multiple connection variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems. Heat exchangers are formed and installed in a vertical ‘v’ shape to provide maximum surface area and efficiency while reducing total unit height. In addition to this, all fan coil units feature linear electronic expansion valves (LEV) with integrated control that provide accurate superheat or sub cooling control in case of heat pump operation.” Wolmarans further explains that, “a unique feature is the addition of standard supply air sensors that adjust the LEV and compressor pumping frequencies in response to supply air conditions to prevent cold drafts in both cooling and heating modes, while thermo ON and OFF is controlled by either an interHPACMAG.COM

Figure 2

nal return air sensor placed up stream of the unit’s fresh air intake or in the room thermostat. The DC blower static pressure can be adjusted electronically through the system controller to match design air flow with duct system pressure. Other features include blower wheels that are designed to provide quiet operation by offsets in the blade positioning on the wheels and internal condensate pumps to make disposal of condensate easy in any ceiling height application.” See Figure 2.

SMALL DUCT, HIGH VELOCITY The SDHV air handler is part of a flexible system that can be used to heat and cool homes or commercial buildings. The air handler works in conjunction with one supply plenum (typically spiral duct) and supply tubing delivering up to 40 cfm per outlet. Six outlets per nominal ton will usually suffice. The SDVH air handler can be part of an all-electric heat pump system featuring an inverter drive outdoor unit or may be combined with a hot water coil fed by a wall-hung boiler. There is a chilled water option available. Many SDHV air handlers have a factory-installed boiler relay, chiller relay, EAC/HRV control, humidifier compatibility, potable water circulation, EC motor, soft start and zoning capability. Figure 3 shows a unit with a blower coil, refrigerant coil and a hot water coil. Small duct, high velocity system means a heating and cooling product that contains a blower and indoor coil combination that is designed for, and produces, at least 1.2 inches of external static pressure when operated at the certified air volume rate of 220350 CFM per rated ton of cooling; and when applied in the field, uses high velocity room outlets generally greater than 1000 fpm, which have less than 6.0 sq. in. of free area.1 Currently, Unico and SpacePak manufacture air HPACMAG.COM

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Properly specified, installed (including commissioning) and maintained system are the key to energy efficiency. Unfortunately, many products promising flexible advantages are horribly abused in reality; none more so than those using flexible ductwork. These products have specific rules and can easily become non-PSIM in the hands of amateurs. I will leave you with the words of Chandler von Schrader of the U.S. EPA as quoted in the New York Times recently: “Studies have shown that many HVAC contractors don't follow industry standards when installing equipment. Proper equipment sizing, having matching equipment, ensuring proper air flow, and performing appropriate diagnostics are concepts every HVAC contractor should know and follow. For those contractors that are following their industry’s standards, they can be undercut by competition who take shortcuts.” 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

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FEBRUARY 2016 | HPAC HPAC_Feb_DuraVent.indd 1

2016-01-15 10:36 AM

< REFRIGERATION

Yellowknife takes steps to reduce environmental footprint

The vortex degasser installation at the Multiplex.

The city’s Multiplex has undergone a technological upgrade to save energy. BY BETH MCKAY

n the summer of 2015, the City of Yellowknife installed a vortex degasser at its Multiplex facility to reduce energy consumption. The multi-purpose recreation facility houses an Olympic-size ice surface and an NHL-size ice surface. Ammonia is the refrigerant used at the arena. Remi Gervais, community energy management specialist in Yellowknife, noted that heating surfacing water for ice pads is one of the largest heat loads of an arena, “so it made sense to investigate a way we [the city] could address that.” Funding for the vortex degasser came from the Community Energy Plan – a project that strives to reduce the City of Yellowknife’s greenhouse gas emissions. Gervais said that prior to installation, rink water was being heated to 140F in a hot water tank, heated by oil boilers. With the vortex degasser however, the water is now being heated to 80F, which will save 16 000 litres of oil per year. “That volume of oil would have emitted 41 tonnes of CO2. This is equivalent to the emissions of heating about four houses in Yellowknife,” said Gervais. The vortex degasser was installed by in-house trades people. Dave Hurley, the facilities manager, said that installation was quick, as it only took one day. “So far the ice appears to

HOW DOES IT WORK? The Measurement & Verification (M&V) Result report from FortisBC, explains that Vortex technology is a compact piping system, which removes air bubbles and filaments from the resurfacing flood water through cavitation instead of thermal activation. The resurfacing water is forced through guide vanes creating a pressure gradient to separate air bubbles and filaments from the pota16

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2016

be better. We have only had compliments about the arena, I mean, it would be nice to save some money, but right now, there’s been no complaints about the ice,” said Hurley. Though bids for systems are confidential, Gervais expected the payback for the vortex degasser to take less than a year, noting that the system has not been active long enough to validate savings at time of print. According to a press release from the City of Yellowknife, an estimated $16 000 should be saved each year in Yellowknife because of the vortex degasser technology.

ble water. As a result, vortex-treated water does not have to be heated to the high temperature as traditionally done before applying the water to the ice surface. This generates thermal and electricity savings through: • reduction in thermal energy by significantly reducing the need to heat up resurfacing water; and • reduction in electricity for the operation of the ice rink refrigeration

plant as: vortex generated resurfacing water creates a lower refrigeration load since low temperature water is applied to the ice surface for ongoing resurfacing and the initial ice buildup; and the ice rink slab temperature is raised to allow the vortex generated resurfacing water to freeze at an appropriate rate. See www.realice.ca/tag/fortis-bc/ for more details. HPACMAG.COM

MODERN HYDRONICS 2016 SPRING

BOILER PLANT REVITALIZATION: POINTS TO PONDER

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON FLOW VELOCITY PUMP SIZING HOW TO GET IT RIGHT

a publication of

MOISTURE CONTROL FACTS PRODUCT SHOWCASE COMBINED INSTALLATIONS: HEALTH & SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

CONTENTS MH4 FLOW CONTROL

IS THE WATER MOVING TOO FAST?

New perspectives on a long-standing question. BY JOHN SIEGENTHALER

MH10 RADIANT COOLING

THE LOGIC OF MOISTURE MANAGEMENT

Condensation is not the dark side of chilled water and radiant cooling systems. BY ROBERT BEAN

MH14

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

MH22 PUMPS GETTING IT RIGHT

Sizing a pump is a relatively easy exercise. BY STEVE GOLDIE

MH26 COMBINED SYSTEMS

MIXING HYDRONIC HEATING WATER WITH POTABLE WATER

Designers and installers must be aware of potential issues when considering heat sources. BY LANCE MACNEVIN

MH28 BOILERS

REPLACING BOILERS IN EXISTING BUILDINGS

Boiler replacement in existing buildings is sometimes viewed as an easy task, but if it is done right, it can be challenging. BY MIKE MILLER

MODERN HYDRONICS

a supplement of Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning Magazine 80 Valleybrook Drive, Toronto, ON M3B 2S9 TEL: 416.442.5600 FAX: 416.510.5140 www.hpacmag.com EDITOR

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MODERN HYDRONICS HPAC_Feb_Fastform.indd 1

SPRING 2016

| MH3

2016-01-27 2:48 PM

>>Flow Rates

IS THE WATER MOVING TOO FAST? New perspectives on a long-standing question. BY JOHN SIEGENTHALER

ne question about hydronic heating that pops up over and over again is this: If the water moves too fast through a hydronic circuit, will the heat it holds be unable to “jump off” as the stream passes through a heat emitter? The answer, from the standpoint of heat transfer alone, is no. But rather than just take my word for it, let’s see why this is true.

mated using complex calculations dependent on variables such as the physical properties of the fluid, geometry of the surface and the speed of the fluid. But you do not have to be a math wizard to understand how the process works. Instead, picture flow moving along the inside of a tube as shown in Figure 1. A thin “boundary layer” of fluid creeps along the inner wall as the bulk of the fluid moves at higher speeds down the “core” of the flow stream. Figure 1 Flow moving along inside of tube

CONVECTION COUNTS The heat output from any hydronic heat emitter is governed by all three modes of heat transfer. For example, before a radiant floor can release heat into the room by thermal radiation and to a lesser extent natural convection, that heat must pass through the floor materials and tube wall by conduction. Before this happens the heat must pass from the fluid stream to the tubing wall by convection. Thus, heat output from a radiant floor or any other hydronic heat emitter is dependent on the convective heat transfer between the water stream and inner wall of the heat emitter. The surface contact area, the temperature difference between the fluid and the wetted surface, and the convection coefficient, govern convection. The latter can be estiMH4 | SPRING 2016

MODERN HYDRONICS

tube wall boundary layer of slow moving fluid limits convection velocity profile of fluid Note low velcoity near tube wall

"core" of ﬂow stream

heat ﬂows from water, through boundary layer, tube wall, into surrounding material

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Modern Hydronics

CHECK IT OUT You can see this effect in the thermal ratings for many types of heat emitters. For example, the heat output of fintube baseboard is often listed for arbitrary flow rates of one gallon per minute (gpm) and four gpm. The output at four gpm will always be slightly higher than at one gpm (all other conditions being the same). Years ago, the Hydronics Institute in the U.S. developed the following formula for estimating the increased heat output of fin-tube baseboard for flow rates above one gpm.

Figure 2 Estimate of baseboard heat output 1.1

Heat output multiplier

1.09

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1.06 1.05 1.04 1.03 1.02

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ﬂow rate through baseboard (gpm)

Next, go look up the output ratings for fan- or blowerequipped convectors. Just in case you do not have a catalogue handy, the output of a small wall convector operating at a fixed inlet water temperature is plotted in Figure 3. Figure 3 Output of a small wall convector operating at a fixed inlet water temperature 4500 4000

WHERE:

The graph in Figure 2 shows how this formula estimates the heat output of baseboard at flow rates up to 10 gpm. Although there is a definite increase in heat output with increasing flow, the magnitude of the increase is quite small. For example, increasing flow from one to four gpm only increases heat output about six per cent.

1.07

Qf = heat output at flow rate f (Btu/hr/ft) Q1 = heat output at flow rate of 1 gpm (Btu/hr/ft) f = flow rate through baseboard (gpm) 0.04 = exponent

Here is an example: Assume the rated heat output of a fin-tube baseboard is 550 Btu/hr/ft at 180F water temperature and flow rate of one gpm. Estimate the output of this baseboard at a flow rate of five gpm and the same 180F water temperature.

1.08

1.01

Heat output (Btu/hr)

Because fluid molecules in the boundary layer do not aggressively mix with those in the core of the flow stream, they give up heat to the tube wall and cool down more than fluid molecules in the core. This limits the rate of heat transfer to the tube wall, especially if the flow is laminar rather than turbulent. You could even think of the boundary layer as a thin layer of “liquid insulation” between the heat contained in the core of the flow stream and the cooler tube wall. The higher the flow rate through the tube, the thinner the boundary layer and the less it restricts heat transfer between the core and the tube wall. Thus, all other things being equal, higher flow rates always increase convective heat transfer, and this boosts heat output for any hydronic heat emitter.

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 water ﬂow rate (gpm)

Once again, you find that increasing the flow rate through the coil increases heat output. As was the case with baseboards, the increase is slight at higher flow rates. You will also find heat output increases at higher fan speeds. This occurs for the same reason as on the water-side of the heat emitter; faster flows reduce the thickness and thus the thermal resistance of the boundary layer between the bulk air stream and the surface of the coil. How about radiant floor circuits? The graph in Figure 4 shows the upward heat output of a 250-foot long circuit of 1/2-inch PEX tubing embedded at 12-inch spacing in a fourinch bare concrete slab. The supply water temperature is 110F. The only thing that is changing is flow rate.

MODERN HYDRONICS

continued on MH6 SPRING 2016

| MH5

>>Flow Rates continued from MH5

to-water efficiency of 25 per cent provides flow and head, the electrical power needed to operate this one circuit can be calculated as follows:

Figure 4 Upward heat output Upward heat output (Btu/hr)

8000 7000 6000 5000 4000

WHERE:

3000

W = required electrical power input to circulator (watts) f = flow rate (gpm) ∆P = pressure drop (psi) 0.25 = assumed wire-to-water efficiency of circulator (decimal per cent)

2000 1000 0 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 Circuit ﬂow rate (gpm)

Increased flow rate again results in increased upward heat output. The gains are much more noticeable at lower flow rates than at higher flow rates. At 0.2 gallons per minute, only 10 per cent of the maximum flow rate shown on the graph, the circuit releases about 44 per cent of the maximum heat output. Increasing flow from one to two gpm only increases heat output about 11 per cent.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY Hopefully you are convinced that the heat output of any hydronic heat emitter increases with increasing flow rate. From the standpoint of heat transfer only, faster flow is always better. However, heat transfer is not the only thing that needs to be considered when designing hydronic systems. Issues such as head loss, piping erosion and system operating costs also play a role in selecting flow rates and subsequent piping/circulator hardware. Here is where the downside of high flow velocity becomes apparent. One very significant drawback to high flow rate is sharply increased operating cost. Any time there is flow through a piping component, there is head loss and that head loss has an associated circulator input wattage. Thus, every hydronic component has an operating cost. Here is an example of how quickly that operating cost can climb as flow rates are increased. Take the 250-ft. by ½ in. PEX floor heating circuit previously discussed. Operating at one gpm and 110 F supply temperature, this circuit releases 7117 Btuh. Bumping the flow rate to two gpm with the same supply temperature increases heat output to 7902 Btuh (a modest 11 per cent increase). The circuit’s head loss at one gpm is 9.98 ft. The pressure drop corresponding to this head loss is 4.3 psi. Assuming a small wet-rotor circulator operating with a wireMH6 | SPRING 2016

Assuming the circuit operates for 3000 hours a year in an area where electricity costs $0.10/kWhr, the annual electrical operating cost of this single circuit is $2.24, probably less than you paid for your last hamburger. Now, let’s double the flow rate through the circuit to two gpm. The circuit’s head loss climbs to 33.58 ft. and the corresponding pressure drop is 14.4 psi. Assuming the same circulator efficiency, the electrical power required to operate the circuit climbs to 50 watts. The annual electrical operating cost for this one circuit using the previously assumed conditions is now $15. The added annual cost to operate this circuit at two gpm rather than one gpm is $12.76. Keep in mind this is for one circuit and one year. Assuming 10 identical circuits operating for 20 years with electricity inflating at four per cent per year, the total added operating cost is staggering.

WHERE: CT = total operating cost of a period of N years ($) C1 = first year operating cost ($) i = inflation rate on annual cost (decimal per cent) N = number of years in life cycle Spending $3,800 more in electricity to achieve an 11 per cent boost in heat output (with a corresponding 11 per cent added fuel required to produce this heat) just does not make sense.

WEARING THIN Another effect associated with increased flow velocity is the potential for erosion of copper tubing. According to a re-

MODERN HYDRONICS

continued on MH8 WWW.HPACMAG.COM

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>>Flow Rates continued from MH6

port published by the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, sustained flow in copper tubing should not exceed four feet per second to avoid potential erosion issues. This corresponds to the velocity limit often imposed to avoid objectionable flow noise for pipes routed through occupied spaces. According to one reference, PEX tubing can withstand sustained flow velocities in excess of 90 feet per second at elevated temperatures without damage. However, such velocities are completely beyond the range of practical system design from the standpoint of head loss, flow noise and operating cost. My suggestion is to size PEX tubing for maximum flow velocities in the range of four feet per second. Figure 5 lists the flow rates corresponding to flow velocities of four feet per second for common sizes of copper, PEX, and PEX-AL-PEX tubing. It also lists the flow rates associated with flow velocities of two feet per second. These minimum flow rates are recommended to provide air bubble entrainment. Figure 5 Flow rates corresponding to flow velocities

Tubing size / type

3/8" copper

MINIMUM Flow rate

MAXIMUM Flow rate

based on 2 ft/sec (gpm)

based on 4 ft/sec (gpm)

1.0

2.0

1/2" copper

1.6

3.2

3/4" copper

3.2

6.5

1" copper

5.5

10.9

1.25" copper

8.2

16.3

1.5" copper

11.4

22.9

2" copper

19.8

39.6

2.5" copper

30.5

61.1

3" copper

43.6

87.1

3/8" PEX

0.6

1.3

1/2" PEX

1.2

2.3

5/8" PEX

1.7

3.3

3/4" PEX

2.3

4.6

1" PEX

3.8

7.5

1.25" PEX

5.6

11.2

1.5" PEX

7.8

15.6

2" PEX

13.4

26.8

3/8" PEX-AL-PEX

0.6

1.2

1/2" PEX-AL-PEX

1.2

2.5

5/8" PEX-AL-PEX

4.0

3/4" PEX-AL-PEX

3.2

6.4

1" PEX-AL-PEX

5.2

10.4

MH8 | SPRING 2016

THINK AVERAGES Finally, if you still think the water can move too fast for the heat to jump off, consider the following situation as a practical rationale that this is not the case. A fin-tube baseboard is operated at three different flow rates, but with the same 180F entering water temperature, and the same surrounding air temperature (see Figure 6). Figure 6 Fin-tube baseboard at three flow rates

Tin = 180 ºF

Tout = 160 ºF

low ﬂow average water temperature = 170 ºF

Tin = 180 ºF

Tout = 170 ºF

medium ﬂow average water temperature = 175 ºF

Tin = 180 ºF

Tout = 178 ºF

high ﬂow average water temperature = 179 ºF

At the low flow rate the temperature drop across the heat emitter is 20F and thus the average water temperature in it is 170F. When flow is boosted to the medium level the outlet temperature rises to 170F and hence the average water temperature inside the heat emitter is 175F. Finally, when the flow rate is boosted to the high level, the outlet temperature of 178F is a mere 2F below the inlet temperature. The average water temperature is 179F. In every case the average water temperature inside the heat emitter increased as flow increased. Increasing the average water temperature inside any heat emitter always increases heat output. There is just no way around the physics of this situation.

SAY IT AIN’T SO The next time you hear someone lament that their system is not releasing sufficient heat because the water is flowing too fast through the heat emitters, please use what has been discussed here to convince them otherwise. Also, be sure they understand the consequences of excessive flow rates. Hundreds and even thousands of dollars are usually at stake. John Siegenthaler, P.E., is a mechanical engineering graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a licensed professional engineer. He has over 34 years experience in designing modern hydronic heating systems. Siegenthaler’s latest book, Heating with Renewable Energy, was released last month (see p55 or visit www.hydronicpros.com for more information). MODERN HYDRONICS

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C O N D E N S I N G

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>>Radiant cooling

and radiant cooling panels is a straw man argument; regardless of HVAC system type, moisture must be managed for biological concerns, hydrolysis, dimensional stability of hygroscopic materials, and preservation of materials, respiratory comfort, and thermal comfort. Condensation becomes a moot point if you control moisture for these reasons (setting aside discussions around pipe insulation, infiltration, and so on). Let’s look at each of these conditions.

Condensation is not the dark side of chilled water and radiant cooling systems.

1. BIOLOGICALS

BY ROBERT BEAN

here is no shortage of articles describing the risks and jeopardies of using chilled water and radiant cooling systems, and how these systems cause condensation. It seems that mysterious aliens with a hidden agenda handed out scripts to industry authors instructing them to repeat in a James Earl Jones voice, “Luke, be wary of the radiant cooling systems – it shall condense and rain upon the galaxy.” To this I reply: What are the facts? Here is a serving of universal logic for critics of chilled water and radiant cooling systems: 100 per cent of all condensation problems in buildings conditioned exclusively with refrigerated air, did not have a chilled water radiant cooling system to blame. We do not hear Darth Vader voices from the “refrigerated air only” camp. Only bad designers and bad installers can be held accountable for sweating refrigerated air-based systems because good designers and good installers would never let moisture become a problem. Good designers and installers spend hours evaluating moisture loads and assembling building and HVAC components properly so sweating does not occur. But apparently with chilled water and radiant cooling the good logic of moisture management gets tossed to the far corners of the galaxy because evidently only bad designers and bad installers are permitted to work on these systems. That is definitely dark side thinking. It is time to stop holding radiant cooling and chilled water systems to some unreasonable double standard and talk about the real problem, which is moisture. Moisture is the root of all that is good and bad in the universe. It is an equal opportunity offender and does not discriminate between HVAC system types. Statistically one is far more likely to find moisture problems in refrigerated air systems than chilled water radiant systems due to the installation ratio of air over water. Here are six reasons why condensation with chilled water

MH10 | SPRING 2016

Without moisture control, numerous biological risks develop which support the growth of bacteria, viruses, fungi (moulds) and mites. According to a ASHRAE Transaction, Human Exposure to Humidity in Occupied Buildingsi and the ASHRAE Handbooks, humidity at less than 30 per cent or more than 60 per cent can introduce higher multiple microbial risk factors. As noted in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Indoor Air Plus program, “You have to control humidity to below 60 per cent RH.” You will also find support from the medical community on this range. Stephanie H. Taylor, M.D. states, “The movement and infectivity of bacterial, viral, and fungal organisms vary with the RH of the air…” This is supported by Dr. R.L. Dimmick from the Naval Biological laboratory (NBL), Univ. CA, Berkeley who said, “Moisture content may, indeed, be the most important environmental factor influencing the survival of airborne microbes.” Figure 1 Indirect health effects of RH

Taylor goes on to say, “Maintaining the relative humidity of hospital indoor air between 40 per cent and 60 per cent can significantly decrease healthcare associated infections.”ii In addition to ASHRAE, the EPA and NBL this position is supported by numerous authoritative organizations including the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety, Health Canada and ACCA and The Indoor Environment & Energy Efficiency Association.

MODERN HYDRONICS

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Modern Hydronics

2. HYDROLYSIS Hydrolysis is a water-based reaction that is used to break down certain chemicals. Studies by Dr. Richard L. Corsi, University of Texas (Austin), show paint emissions (specifically HC-O-O) are affected by rising relative humidity.iii Matthews et al, noted that changing the indoor conditions from 68F (20C) and 30 per cent relative humidity (RH) to 79F (26C) and 60 per cent RH would result in two to fourfold increases in formaldehyde concentration for the same air change rate. Hodgson et al, stated in its study on the topic, “This suggests that indoor humidity has a substantial impact on formaldehyde emission rates and concentrations.”iv

tions have substantially different relative humidity requirements…Specimens with metal components may benefit from RH levels that are as low as possible. Organic artifacts require more moderate RH levels to prevent desiccation or embrittlement. Most specimens benefit from RH levels that are moderate and stable to prevent physical damage that can be caused by wide climatic shifts. Generally, recommendations for museum environments are given as to [sic] 50 per cent while attempting to minimize dramatic swings to between 40-60 per cent, even if broad seasonal trends are hard to avoid.” viii

5. RESPIRATORY COMFORT Research showing the effects of high and low humidity on respiration discomfort supports the humidity ranges above. In one study the least amount of people dissatisfied (PD) at 10 per cent, corresponds to space conditions of 20 per cent to 60 per cent relative humidity for a temperature range between 68F (20C) and 78F (26C). Increases in discomfort were observed during increases in relative humidity at a given air temperature. For example, at 72F (22C) there is a 10 per cent increase in people dissatisfied going from approximately 40 per cent RH to 65 per cent RH; and an additional 10 per cent dissatisfaction going from 65 per cent RH to 80 per cent RH.ix,x

Figure 2 Effect on hygroscopic material

3. DIMENSIONAL STABILITY OF HYGROSCOPIC MATERIALS

6. THERMAL COMFORT

When hygroscopic materials such as wood are operated in an uncontrolled environment their moisture content can fluctuate. Such changes lead to dimensional instability due to shrinking and swelling. Both Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Wood Frame Envelopes Best Practice Guidev and Forest Products Laboratory’s (U.S. Department of Agriculture/Forest Services) Wood Handbookvi provide for the ideal “in service” wood moisture content as between six per cent and 14 per cent. This ideal in-service range corresponds to relative humidity between 40 per cent+/-10 per cent and 60 per cent+/-10 per cent at temperatures typical for space heating and cooling.

Two authoritative documents addressing humidity and thermal comfort are ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55 and ISO 7730. At the humidity conditions defined in points 1 through 5, indoor climate engineers will meet the requirements of both the ASHRAE and ISO Standards. Figure 3

4. PRESERVATION OF MATERIALS According to the Image Permanence Institute (IPI), a university-based non-profit research laboratory devoted to preservation research, at approximately 73F dry bulb, “no risk” conditions exists for chemical decay of organic materials between 25 per cent RH and 35 per cent RH for a dew point condition between 45F and 59F.vii The American Museum of Natural History regarding preservation and temperature and relative humidity says this; “Different types of collecWWW.HPACMAG.COM

MODERN HYDRONICS

continued on MH12 SPRING 2016

| MH11

>>Radiant cooling continued from MH11

FINAL THOUGHTS Now that you have 60 per cent RH as recommended maximum, do you know what the sea level dew point is at say a 75Fdb? It is 60F. What is the lowest temperature a radiant floor cooling system should operate at? It is 66F. That would be a six degree Fahrenheit safety margin – far more than required by good engineering practice. If you have made it this far you should conclude that there is zero logic in stating unequivocally, “don’t use chilled water and radiant cooling systems because of moisture concerns.” It is a silly statement. You must provide moisture control regardless of the HVAC type for the six reasons outlined above.xiii With chilled water systems the control of space moisture is done with a dedicated outdoor air system. Noted DOAS expert Stanley A. Mumma, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Professor Emeritus of Architectural Engineering, Penn State University states, “The DOAS approach effectively eliminates biological contaminants and inadequate ventilation. It also avoids building-wide distribution of indoor chemical contaminants.”xiv The need for a hybrid with two systems, one for ventila-

tion and one for cooling is actually a good thing. Indoor air quality and energy specialists will attest that dedicated ventilation with radiant cooling provide superior control and efficiency over dual duty air only systems. In commercial systems Rumsey and others have demonstrated these hybrid systems can also be installed for less cost.xv So hybrid systems can enable better air quality, better comfort, better efficiency and for some projects – a lower capital cost. Controlling moisture is a fundamental principle. It enables the use of chilled water and radiant cooling systems without going off the deep end on condensation concerns. Condensation is not the dark side of chilled water and radiant cooling systems – moisture is. Take care of the moisture and you take care of the dark side. 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. References

CHEMICAL SINCE 1981

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iS terling E M, Arundel A, Sterling T D., 1985 CH-85-13 No 1, ASHRAE Transactions, 1985, Vol 91, Pt 1. 11p. ii Taylor, S.H. (2014) Infectious Microorganisms Do Not Care About Your Existing Policies. Engineered Systems <http://www.esmagazine.com/articles/96849-infectiousmicroorganisms-do-not-care-about-your-existingpolicies> accessed Jan. 2016 iii Corsi, R.L., 2013. Relative humidity and paint emissions (HC-O-O). Building Energy & Reactivity Complex Interactions. Simple Solutions, IAQ 2013 – Environmental Health in Low Energy Buildings – Vancouver, BC, Canada October 17th, 2013 iv Hodgson, A.T., et al. 2004. Volatile Organic Compound Concentrations and Emission Rates Measured over One Year in a New Manufactured House. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. <http://www.osti.gov/scitech/servlets/purl/838617> accessed Jan. 2016 v Wood Frame Envelopes: Best Practice Guide. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. 1999. <http://www.naturallywood.com/sites/default/files/CMHC-BestPractice-Guide-Wood-Frame-Envelopes.pdf > accessed Jan. 2016 vi W ood Handbook. Forest Products Laboratory. U.S. Department of Agriculture/Forest Services) http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/products/publications/several_pubs.php?grouping_ id=100 accessed Jan. 2016 vii Image Permanence Institute. <https://www.imagepermanenceinstitute.org/ environmental/research/preservation-metrics> accessed Jan 2016 viii Temperature and Relative Humidity (RH). American Museum of Natural History.<http:// www.amnh.org/ourresearch/natural-science-collections-conservation/generalconservation/preventive-conservation/temperatureand-relative-humidity-rh >Accessed Jan. 2016 ix Toftum, J., Jørgensen, A.S., Fanger, P.O. 1998. Upper limits of air humidity for preventing warm respiratory discomfort, Energy and Buildings, Volume 28, Issue 1, August 1998 x Fang L, Clausen G, Fanger PO. Impact of temperature and humidity on the perception of indoor air quality. Indoor Air 1998; 8:80–90. xi ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55 Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy xii I SO 7730 Ergonomics of the thermal environment -- Analytical determination and interpretation of thermal comfort using calculation of the PMV and PPD indices and local thermal comfort criteria. xiii Setting aside discussions on duct and pipe insulation. xiv http://www.healthyheating.com/DOAS/DOAS_Introduction.htm#.VpbI3PkrL9g xv S astry, G., Rumsey, P. 2014. VAV-vs- Radiant-Side-By-Side-Comparison, ASHRAE Journal, vol. 56, no. 5, May 2014. < https://www.ashrae.org/resources--publications/ periodicals/ashrae-journal/features/vav-vs--radiant-sideby- side-comparison> Additional resources can be found at www.hpacmag.com, search radiant cooling and condensation.

MODERN HYDRONICS

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>>Products Calefactio

has

re-

Snow melt panels from

leased a commercial

HeatLink

version of its Conden-

centres for fully automatic

SAFE. Designed to be

snow melt systems with

modular if more treat-

non-dedicated heat sourc-

ment volume is re-

es. They use heat ex-

quired, it can treat up

changers to separate the

to 28 gallons of condensate

primary loop water from

per hour or up to 84 gallons/hour if

the secondary loop glycol

three units are installed in series. Condensate

mixture. Nominal Panel Output is 175 000 Btuh, 300 000 Btuh and

travels within the unit walls to be distributed in the media from the bot-

365 000 Btuh respectively. The standard snow melt control uses a

tom of the recipient for optimal treatment. An integrated overflow pre-

snow/ice detector, which is sold separately. www.heatlink.com

vents flooding. www.calefactio.com

are

operation

The ecoSmart air handler is suited to residential or light commercial

Uponor PEX pipe and Pro-

space heating and combo applica-

PEX expansion fittings

tions. Utilizing a proprietary micro-

are available in 2½ in.

controller, it can modulate both the

and 3 in. sizes. The pipe

pump and blower speed simultane-

offering includes Uponor

ously without additional controls

AquaPEX

potable-

and pumps. The units come stan-

applications

dard with a variable speed ECM mo-

plumbing

for

and Wirsbo hePEX oxy-

tor to deliver a constant CFM over a

gen-barrier pipe for hy-

range of static pressures.

dronic heating and cooling applications. The ProPEX ASTM F1960

www.ecovisionsales.ca/ecosmart.htm

expansion fitting offering includes a complete line of tees, elbows, couplings and transition fittings as well as a flange adapter kit. New

Viessmann’s Vitocrossal 300, CU3A is a

PEX pipe cutting tools and larger sizes of PEX-a Pipe Support (a steel

compact, floor standing stainless steel

channel that enables hanger spacing similar to that of copper for

condensing boiler suited to retrofits and

suspended-piping applications) are also available.

cast-iron boiler replacements in residen-

www.uponor.ca

tial and small commercial applications. Operating features include quiet opera-

The HBX Wi-Fi zoning system allows users to remotely control multiple

tion and 95 per cent AFUE efficiency and

zones within a living space. The system incorporates a ZON-0550 along

high temperature operation up to 90C

with a two-wire THM-0300 programmable thermostat and Wi-Fi commu-

(194F). High water volume extends burn-

nication ThermoLinx module. Each zone can be viewed or configured from

er run time and reduces cycling. Units do

smartphone or tablet devices. The ZON-0550 has the capability to con-

not need a dedicated boiler pump or low

trol up to four zones plus fancoil control, with expansion of up to four

loss header. www.viessmann.ca

additional zone units that communicate wirelessly, for a maximum of 20 zones. It is suited to retrofits, as well as new installs. It incorporates a

The RAUPEX Speed radiant over-

system pump output, auto changeover, intermittent fan control and two

pour fastening system from RE-

demand outputs. The Wi-Fi lzoning app is free to download for both Apple

HAU allows contractors to install

and Android. The app provides the capability to control comfort for mul-

heating pipe in overpour and con-

tiple locations in real time. www.hbxcontrols.com

crete installations. O2 barrier pipe with hook-and-loop wrap is walked on to the mat, which has an adhesive backer that attaches to a range of different thermal insulation, concrete and plywood materials. The pipe can be detached and repositioned. The ½ in. pipe is offered in 300 and 1000 ft. (91.4 and 304.8 m) coils and the 3-mm. thick mat is offered in 3.1 by 52.9 ft (0.93 by 16.13 m) rolls. www.na.rehau.com/speed

continued on MH16 MH14 | SPRING 2016

MODERN HYDRONICS

WWW.HPACMAG.COM

GET COMFORTABLE WITH HIGHER EFFICIENCY. Up to 99% with Lasting Durability. Engineered for high performance with ultra-reliability, RBI commercial boilers and water heaters are as strong as they are diverse. From 199 to 5,000 mbh, RBI has the solutions to any application. rbiwaterheaters.com

Futera III

>>Products continued from MH14 The Stiebel Eltron Accelera 300 heat pump water

Roth X-PERT S5 5-layer pipe consists of a

heater is designed to extract up to 80 per cent of its

layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer

energy requirements from the energy in the air around

(EVOH) sandwiched between two layers of

it. Its compressor and fan consume one kWh of elec-

DOWLEX 2344 polyethylene copolymer

tricity to generate the heat equivalent of three to five

resin and two layers of adhesive for long-

kWh. It runs on one 15 amp. 240 V breaker. It has an

term hydrostatic design strength. The outer

80 gallon capacity, an energy factor of 2.73 and power

layer of DOWLEX 2344 also provides a pro-

input of 2.2 kW with annual power consumption of

tective shield for the oxygen barrier. PE-RT pipe has a DIN 4726 oxygen

1391 kWh/year. A roll-bond wrap-around condenser

barrier to prevent corrosion of ferrous components, or the premature

prevents refrigerant contamination of the water and in

breakdown of inhibitors in propylene glycol antifreeze systems. The pipe is

conjunction with the glass-lined tank, mitigates hard

rated for 100 PSI at 180F and 200 PSI at 73F. www.roth-usa.com

water problems. Engineered to satisfy 90 per cent of hot water needs, the heat pumps feature an electric booster element at the top of the

Lochinvar Knight heating boiler is offered in mod-

tank for periods of high demand. www.stiebel-eltron-USA.com

els 80 000 to 285 000 Btuh. Boilers of one or more sizes can be combined into a single cas-

SpacePak’s Solstice Extreme air-to-water re-

cade. Installations can be fine tuned using an in-

verse cycle heat pumps use hydronics as the

ternal cascading sequencer with multiple pro-

primary source for heating and cooling de-

grammable system efficiency optimizers. Features

mands. Units can be installed at ground level,

also include outdoor reset for each temperature

on rooftops or in remote locations. The con-

loop and programmable post purge to allow pumps

denser coil is larger than standard units and

to operate after a call has been satisfied. The boil-

operates with a COP of up to four. Designed for

ers permit up to 100 ft. of air intake and 100 ft. of

heating in colder climates, the heat pump produces up to 48 000

exhaust vent with 3 in. PVC, CPVC, polypropylene

Btuh at 0F at 140F heating supply. www.spacepak.com

or stainless steel pipe. www.lochinvar.com Caleffi’s suite of magnetic separation products address problems caused by ferrous oxide debris found within hy-

Products are available through:

dronic systems. The debris, which is abrasive and often microscopic, is created from the oxidation of iron or steel

Canada (except Quebec):

materials. It can deposit onto heat exchanger surfaces and accumulate in other components including circulators, wreaking havoc caused

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by reduced thermal efficiency and premature equipment wear. The dirt separator removes these dirt particles, collecting them in a large collection chamber from which they can be flushed, even while the system is in operation. The devices are designed to remove the smallest particles, with very low head loss. www.caleffi.com Navien is introducing their next generation combi-

In Quebec:

boiler, the NCB-E. Navien’s NCB series is unique in

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house heating system while also providing the do-

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ment, now with a Grundfos pump, an integral air vent,

that, as one unit, it is capable of providing a whole mestic hot water output of a stand-alone tankless water heater. The NCB-E will be a rolling replacea PRV top connection, a quieter fan and a new front cover bevel design. www.wholehousecombi.com

continued on MH18 MH16 | SPRING 2016 HPAC_Feb_Aquatech.indd 1

MODERN HYDRONICS 2016-01-20 3:13 PM

WWW.HPACMAG.COM

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>>Products continued from MH16

The FlexCore fire tube boiler from RBI has a conical shaped tube sheet coupled with rounded rectangular fire tubes to allow for even heat transfer at all levels of the heat exchanger. The coolest water enters opposite of the down-fired burner, optimizing efficiency in low temp condensing applications. Available in 1500 and 3000 MBH, the boiler offers a 96.8 per cent thermal efficiency rating by AHRI with 5:1 combustion turndown on individual units. HeatNet 3.0 with touch screen technology provides a control platform capable of integrating the unit into various applications including variable primary systems. Complimentary online boiler system monitoring is available. HeatNet Online allows users the ability to change set points and trend boiler plant performance, as The Amvic expanded polystyrene insulated

well as receive updates by text or e-mail. www.rbiwaterheaters.com

radiant PEX panel has nubs, which form a “mushroom” shape to lock 3/8 in., 1/2 in., 5/8

Weil-McLain Canada’s Evergreen high-efficiency condensing boiler deliv-

in., 3/8 in. and 1 in. PEX piping firmly in place.

ers up to 96.5 per cent AFUE. The boiler is suited to large residential and

The pex piping is inserted into the oversized,

light commercial applications and is available in 220, 299, 300 and 399

four sided tongue and groove interlock sys-

MBH sizes. Floor or wall-mountable, it features a stainless steel heat

tem by walking on the tube. Once inserted

exchanger, quick setup with 10 presets, and an easy-to-use setup wizard

the pipe will be properly positioned and seat-

for single and multiple boiler installations. Features include zone stack-

ed in the panel where it can be encased in

ing for up to 24 programmable zones with no external panel required, low

concrete. The panels are available in residen-

NOx (less than 20PPM certified), common combustion air venting and

tial and commercial styles.

two network and two local priorities per network boiler system.

www.amvicsystem.com

www.weil-mclain.ca/products/evergreen

MH18 | SPRING 2016 HPAC_Feb_Tamas.indd 1

MODERN HYDRONICS

continued on MH20

WWW.HPACMAG.COM

2016-01-26 1:15 PM

>>Products continued from MH18 The Tamas Hydronic VFD booster pump

The Webstone Add-

package can be assembled in many

A-Gauge tool allows

configurations. It is programmable for

installers to utilize

up to five pumps. The control box that

is attached to the package frame

connection to quick-

comes with LED operational lights and

ly add a gauge port

manual override switches that can be

to any system. Mod-

set to automatic (VFD run), or manual

els

(full output), or in the off position.

bottom or centre-

These features allow servicing without

back mounted tem-

having to compromise the building load.

perature and/or pressure gauges (sold separately).

www.tamashydronic.com

The tool features a 1/8 in. capped bleeder and is con-

existing

hose

accommodate

structed from lead-free CleanBrass and guaranteed for life. www.webstonevalves.com

Viega’s MegaPress system for installing schedule 5 - schedule 40 black iron pipe is designed to make secure connections in less than seven seconds. More than 200 fittings are available

tekmar has unveiled an app

ranging in sizes from ½ in. to 2 in., including el-

and online tool to assist us-

bows, couplings, reducers, tees, reducing tees,

ers in designing their own

threaded adapters, caps, flanges and unions.

snow and ice melting solu-

The fittings use a stainless steel grip ring with

tions. Users enter their de-

an EPDM sealing element. The system can be

sign parameters and instant-

installed under flow conditions.

www.viega.us/7333.htm

information they need to

receive

the

specific

specify the correct control Grundfos’s Comfort hot water recirculation

solution, prepare a quote,

pump with AutoAdapt features three operation

and successfully complete

modes. The AutoAdapt mode learns, stores and

an installation. The tool pro-

adapts operation time to the consumption pat-

vides access to mechanical and electrical drawings

tern of the homeowner. The temperature mode

(including packages for 28 different applications), a bill

keeps the water temperature within an automat-

of materials, and manuals and literature on tekmar

ically detected range in the individual system.

snow and ice melting controls.

The 100 per cent mode lets the pump run con-

www.tekmarControls.com

stantly at full speed. www.grundfos.ca Taco SFI series pumps’ bearing

NTI’s Vmax gas boilers

frame design features sealed-

have a fully modulat-

for-life bearings that meet indus-

ing burner with a 6.5:1

try requirements for a minimum

turn-down

L 10 life of 60 000 hours. Op-

stainless steel down-

tional, re-greaseable bearings

fired heat exchanger

are available. A slip-on shaft

and a field convertible

sleeve facilitates seal mainte-

gas system. The units

nance in the field. The dry shaft

include a built-in pri-

design eliminates contact with

mary loop, circulator

the circulating fluid, so corro-

and high-energy spark

sion-resistant shaft materials

ignition as standard

are generally not required. The

features. Maximum in-

pumps also feature flush seal line taps, allowing the installation of a filter to protect the

put is 110 000 Btuh. A

seal from non-condensable particles. Pressure tappings on suction and discharge connec-

Plus version is available with a built-in indirect water

tions are provided as a standard feature. www.TacoComfortSolutions.com

heater. www.ntiboilers.com

MH20 | SPRING 2016

MODERN HYDRONICS

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>>Pumps

Getting it right Sizing a pump is a relatively easy exercise. By Steve Goldie

troubleshooting makes up a large part of my job. When things do not seem to be working quite like they should be in a hydronic system, I am often the guy who gets the call. No heat calls, not enough hot water calls, too much noise calls; whatever the issue, I will visit the site to determine what the problem is. Many of the calls start something like this; â€œthat (boiler, pump, hot water tank, and so on) you sold us is a piece of junk.â€? I admit, even with the most stringent quality control procedures in place, every manufacturer will occasionally ship a dud, but the issues are most often the result of improper installation or application, rather than faulty equipment or components. One of the most common components in a hydronic system is also one of the most often maligned: the simple circulating pump. The circulator is the heart of a hydronic system and it has the job of moving the heating or cooling fluid throughout the system. If you have no flow, you have no heating or cooling. As we will see however, no heat or no flow does not always mean the pump is no good. Circulators in closed loop hydronic systems are typically centrifugal pumps. The centrifugal pump transfers mechanical energy from the motor to the fluid through the rotating impeller. The fluid flows from the inlet to the

MH22 | SPRING 2016

impeller centre and out along its blades. The centrifugal force increases the fluid velocity causing an increase in the fluid pressure from the pump inlet to its outlet. They do not so much create pressure, rather they create a pressure differential and when this differential is greater than the friction resistance (head loss) in the piping, the fluid moves. How much fluid can be moved and how much head pressure is created is a function of many factors such as the rotational speed of the impeller, the size and diameter of the impeller and the horsepower of the motor. All of this data is calculated and plotted on graphs or pump curves. I am not going to go into a detailed explanation of these as I am sure most, if not all of you, are somewhat familiar with pump curves. In addition, I do not believe the problems I see with pump sizing are the result of people misreading pump curves. Issues with pumps usually occur when they are sized without the correct information, or when something in the distribution piping, or the piping itself prevents them from doing their job properly. Sizing a pump is a relatively easy exercise. Pumps are sized with two critical pieces of information: how much fluid do you want to move (flow) in gallons per minute (gpm), and how much pressure do you need to overMODERN HYDRONICS

Figure 1 The pump curve shows how the pump will perform with varying head or flow requirements. Courtesy Bell & Gossett

come, typically measured in feet of head. Flow and head pressure; that is the information wholesalers need in order to provide you with the correct circulator. This is the data represented on the two axis of a pump curve. As shown in Figure 1, the x axis (vertical) shows total head while the y axis (horizontal) shows flow capacity, typically in gpm. All too often customers ask for a pump sized by horsepower alone. This is problematic as there can be quite a range of varying duty points with the same horsepower, and identical duty points can be achieved with multiple horsepowers. As an example, if you were in looking for a 1/6 horsepower pump, I could give you one that could supply eight gpm at 28 feet of head, or a different one that could supply 45 gpm at five feet of head. Which one would be correct, if either? One can deliver relatively low gpm at a high head while the other can deliver lots of gpm at a relatively low head. If you remember nothing else, remember that pumps are sized by flow and head, not by horsepower or pipe size. If you are working on a new construction project this information

continued on MH24 WWW.HPACMAG.COM

>>Pumps continued from MH22

“If you remember nothing else, remember that pumps are sized by flow and head, not by horsepower or pipe size.”

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should have been calculated and appropriately-sized pumps should have been selected by the mechanical engineer or designer. If the pump selection is up to you then calculate based on how many Btus you want to move. Use the universal hydronic formula, GPM = Btuh/(500x T). So, if you want to move 100 000 Btuh at a 20 degree T, that would be 10 GPM (100 000/ (500x20)). For the head pressure, if you have a reasonable estimate of the total length of piping and number of fittings in the piping, calculating the head pressure is also quite simple. If you choose a circulator with this information and it does not seem to be doing the job, you need to look for another reason. Is the pipe size too small? Are the lines fully bled of air? I have lost count of the number of times I have been called to a job with flow issues and the contractor swears up and down that all the air is out. Sure enough, when I get there I discover the problem is an air lock. Remember, a closed loop circulator does not create a lot of positive pressure, it creates a pressure differential across its inlet and outlet. This differential is easily absorbed by trapped air and it does not require a lot of air to lock up a circuit. A bubble the size of a dime could potentially stop the flow in a ½" circuit. It is somewhat understandable when you encounter what appears to be a flow issue to assume the circulator may be the culprit. I urge you not to be too hasty in installing a larger pump. I often see components that have boiler connection sizes that are much smaller than the pipe size

MH24 | SPRING 2016 HPAC_Feb16_Centrotherm_CSA.indd 1

MODERN HYDRONICS 2016-02-01 1:54 PM

required to deliver the amount of Btus they are rated for. Plate heat exchangers and indirect hot water tanks are two common examples. The undersized connection will only be a problem if the installer fails to upsize the connected piping to match the Btu load they are hoping to deliver. The pinch point at the connection will only create a slight increase in head pressure and will not significantly impair flow as long as the accumulated piping is sized correctly. I wish I had a dollar for every time I have seen a scenario where the indirect tank does not deliver the expected recovery, the tank gets blamed, then the boiler gets blamed, and finally, the pump gets blamed. There is a lot of blaming going on until the pipe size is corrected, and low and behold, all of a sudden the pile of junk boiler, tank and pump suddenly perform just as advertised. Getting it right can be as simple as following the manufacturer’s instructions, following good piping practice, and having all the correct information. Guessing on things such as pump and pipe sizing will ultimately cost you time and money and possibly business. Let’s take the extra time we need to do it properly the first time. Steve Goldie learned his trade from his father while working as plumber in the family business. After 21 years in the field, he joined the wholesale side of the business in 2002. His expertise is frequently called on to troubleshoot systems and advise contractors. He can be reached at sgoldie@nextsupply.ca. WWW.HPACMAG.COM

>>Combined systems

Mixing hydronic heating water with potable water Designers and installers must be aware of potential issues when considering heat sources. By Lance MacNevin

e know that hydronic radiant heating is a comfortable technology, so efficient that a heated floor can often satisfy a building’s heat loss with low-temperature fluid, even below 115F (46C). This gives radiant heating systems the flexibility to work with a variety of heat sources, including water heaters, subject to codes and local requirements. In fact, CSA B214/12 allows combined space and waterheating applications, as long as the water heater is “designated by the manufacturer for use in dual-purpose applications” and meets specific product standards. This application of a water heater provides an inexpensive source of warm water for smaller radiant heating systems, reducing the up-front cost of a separate heat source. However, installers should be aware that building a combined hydronic and potable system, whereby the potable water contacts hydronic heating components such as pipes, fan coils, valves, expansion tanks and manifolds, could create potential health and safety issues. Some of those issues follow. Certain hydronic heating components are not intended or certified for use with potable water. These items can include radiators, pipes and fittings, fan coils, mixing valves, expansion tanks or distribution manifolds. Such items are not necessarily marked as “Non Potable”; the absence of a “Potable Water” mark may be the only clue provided as to the item’s intended purpose. These hydronic components might contain lead within the brass alloys; trace amounts of cutting oil that are OK in hydronic systems but not OK in drinking water; or other materials that are not approved for drinking water contact. That is why CSA B214-12 says, “All piping, components, and heat-transfer devices in contact with the potable water shall be intended for use in potable water systems.”1

MH26 | SPRING 2016

Therefore, do not assume that any product sold for hydronics is automatically tested and approved for use with potable water. If non-potable components are installed so that plumbing water flows through them, then this type of installation most likely would violate regulations, may contaminate drinking water, and may void product warranties. Fresh water usually contains lots of dissolved oxygen and disinfectants such as chlorine or chloramines. Some hydronic components can be corroded or otherwise damaged by contact with these substances. For example, if you install an iron-body mixing valve or circulator in a combined system, that component could start to rust immediately. A rubber or plastic hydronic valve seal or gasket could be attacked by disinfectants in the fresh water and cause a leak. Or, the plastic tubing itself might not be intended for contact with hot chlorinated water (although most are) and might fail prematurely. When building a combined system, the installer must verify that each component is approved and recommended for use with potable water to avoid premature product failure. The bacterium legionella pneumophila is found in both potable and non-potable water systems, especially with stagnant water between 95F (35C) and 122F (50C). Legionella can cause legionnaires’ disease or legionellosis, a severe, often lethal, form of pneumonia that occurs primarily when steam or vapour containing legionella is inhaled. The disease was named in 1976, when American Legion members who attended a Philadelphia convention suffered from an unusual pneumonia (lung infection). Legionella is in the news again these days, with several outbreaks identified in large cities, and innocent victims perishing. Our society is vulnerable, and our plumbing industry must do what it can to protect the public. In a potable-hydronic system with a shared water heater,

MODERN HYDRONICS

WWW.HPACMAG.COM

Modern Hydronics

the water from the heating distribution system will inevitably mix with domestic hot water whenever the heating system is activated. After longer periods of inactivity, such as after the summer, the heating water has been stagnant for weeks or months, allowing more time for legionella to multiply. This situation has the potential to expose users of the domestic hot water to legionella bacterium through showers and other hot-water uses. To help prevent this, CSA B214-12 requires that “a means shall be provided to prevent the stagnation of potable water in a hydronic heating system by recycling or flushing the contents not less than once every 24 h.”2 However, if the timer used to mix the water fails or is deactivated, there is the potential for serious health risks. Studies show that flushing a water system to effectively kill legionella requires water temperature over 160F (71C) throughout the entire piping network for at least 30 minutes; at lower temperatures, some bacteria remain protected inside the biofilm lining the pipes. However, supplying water this hot through radiant tubing embedded in concrete may damage the concrete or any flooring it contacts, and similar risks apply to other radiant installation techniques. Proper flushing is not a great option from the heating system’s perspective. Not to mention, it may be dangerous to have the water heater set to a temperature above 160F for any duration.

RISKS AND BENEFITS

“ …do not assume that any product sold for hydronics is automatically tested and approved for use with potable water.”

Combined space and water-heating installations where the plumbing system shares a heat source and water with the hydronic distribution system are allowed in certain circumstances using specifically-approved equipment. This arrangement can reduce the up-front cost of building a small radiant heating system. On the other hand, designers and installers of these combined systems must be aware of the potential issues. Concerns can be avoided by using a dual-purpose water heater where the potable and hydronic water do not mix, or by using approved heat exchangers to separate the potable water from the hydronic fluid.

Lance MacNevin, P.Eng. is the director of engineering for the Plastics Pipe Institute’s Building & Construction Division and a member of CSA’s B214 Technical Committee. MacNevin is a mechanical engineering graduate of the University of New Brunswick. He may be reached at lmacnevin@plasticpipe.org. For more information about legionnaires’ disease, visit http://legionella.org/ or Health Canada’s information at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/air/in/qual/legionnaire-eng.php.

REFERENCES CAN/CSA-B214-12 - Installation code for hydronic heating systems, Third Edition, www.shop.csa.ca

1,2

Online Learning – from the masters Mastering Hydronic System Design

Expert Instructor: John Siegenthaler • Online: March 21 - May 29, 2016 MASTERING HYDRONIC SYSTEM DESIGN

Learn how to design state-of-the-art systems for residential and light commercial buildings that deliver unsurpassed comfort, efficiency and reliability. During Mastering Hydronic System Design, John Siegenthaler provides a detailed discussion of the design elements underlying modern hydronic heating systems. It presents both design concepts and design tools for optimizing hydronic heating systems in a variety of contemporary applications. For more information and to register visit www.hpacmag.com/siggy

WWW.HPACMAG.COM

MODERN HYDRONICS

SPRING 2016

| MH27

>>Boilers

Photo Laars Heating Systems

Replacing boilers in existing buildings

When making the boiler selection, be aware of the application that the boiler needs to service.

Boiler replacement is sometimes viewed as an easy task, but it can be challenging if it is done right. BY MIKE MILLER

here is an opportunity to provide some additional value for the customer when it comes to boiler replacement. Doing it right will also set you apart from the competition. Think about the factors that will impact the overall investment for the replacement. Also consider the future operating efficiency and the extended life cycle of the equipment. If the boiler seems to have failed prematurely, investigate the cause of the failure first. Was the failure related to flow, short cycling, piping or age? If the issue is not age related, spending the time at this point to identify and eliminate the cause of the failure will ensure that your customer is happy. What you should not do is replace a failed boiler with a like unit without considering the following points.

EQUIPMENT SIZING When a boiler needs replacing, do not assume that it was originally sized based on the appropriate building load. In fact, heating equipment used to be commonly oversized and grossly oversized in some cases. Apart from unnecessarily high operating costs, oversizing may have been a contributing factor to the premature boiler replacement. The building may have undergone upgrades over its lifetime such as better windows, additional insulation, upgrades to the distribution piping and so on, that could impact the overall heat loss of the building. It pays to do a proper heat loss analysis based on the current building envelope. You may MH28 | SPRING 2016

find that a smaller heating plant output capacity can get the job done now. Perhaps the building was upgraded, but no changes were made to the heat emitters? Terminal units (fan coils, baseboard and radiators) in the building might be oversized for the upgraded building envelope. The fluid delivery temperature required to heat this building on the coldest day of the year may be lower than when the system was originally designed. That could impact what type of replacement boiler you choose.

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION? Be aware of the application that the boiler needs to service. Does the system have many high temperature loads, which require setpoint operation for the majority of time? Those could include large domestic hot water heating needs, pools, spas, maybe even fan coils; anything that requires fluid to be delivered at 170F to 180F for a bigger part of the operating season. If that is the case, then a non-condensing boiler may be suitable in this application.

ABOUT CONDENSING Condensing occurs when the flue gas condenses. Different boiler and/ or system designs and larger system fluid Ts may either promote condensing at higher return temperatures than that or prevent them at lower temperatures. Always consider the boilerâ€™s design and noted operating benefits. The addition of a proper condensate drain is required. MODERN HYDRONICS

If there is no significant reason for a boiler to be operating at high temperatures for the majority of its operating life, a condensing boiler may be what you want to use. Condensing boilers operate much more efficiently in the long run if they are able to operate in condensing mode the majority of the time. Condensing occurs when the boilerâ€™s return fluid temperature is at or below 130F. Traditionally, smaller non-condensing boilers are on/off boilers, where larger non-condensing boilers can be staged or modulating with the use of power burners or modulating gas trains. Smaller condensing boilers typically come standard with modulating capabilities, which enables higher operating efficiencies.

NUMBER OF BOILERS Depending on the size of the boiler being replaced and available space in the mechanical room, it may make sense to replace a single boiler with two (or more) smaller boilers, which equal the same Btuh requirement. The benefit of multiple boilers includes some redundancy when not at design condition. The total boiler plant is designed to heat the building at the coldest day of the year, which represents maybe two or three days a year in all. Multiple boilers allow you to match the boiler plant output to the buildingâ€™s needs year round. For example, if you are replacing a boiler with two smaller boilers that are

continued on MH30 WWW.HPACMAG.COM

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on/off firing, each of the boilers would provide 50 per cent of the load. Three boilers would provide 33 per cent of the load. If the replacement boiler is a single modulating boiler, then depending on the boiler turndown ratio, the boiler can match its output anywhere between the minimum boiler modulation output to a maximum of 100 per cent. Some newer boilers may provide up to a 10 to 1 turn down ratio, meaning the boiler could operate anywhere between 10 per cent to 100 per cent of its output. Many other modulating boilers have a turn down ratio of 5 to 1, allowing them to operate through a range of 20 per cent to 100 per cent of the needed output.

CONTROL SYSTEM Is there a control system that is managing the boiler plant based on the building’s needs? If there is, the control system will have to be factored into the decision making process. Consider its ability to deal with the number and types of boilers you are opting for. The proposal you put together may include a controls upgrade as well. The cost of that upgrade could be minimal in comparison to the payback or life cycle costing of the new heating plant. Controls are an invaluable part of any heating plant. If there is not a control system in place by now, there should be. The most basic addition a control should provide is the ability to reset the fluid water temperature delivered to the building based on outdoor temperature as it directly relates to the heat loss of a building. If you opt for multiple boilers, pick a controller that can stage the types of boilers selected (modulating or on/off or maybe a combination thereof) and provides additional logic such as boiler rotation (on equal run time). For non-condensing boilers the conMH30 | SPRING 2016

trol would provide boiler return fluid temperature protection through the operation of a mixing device. If the building had multiple boilers to begin with and only one of them failed, then a staging controller needs to have the ability to exclude the older lower efficient boiler(s) from the rotation of the newer and higher efficient boiler(s).

PIPING/PUMPING/VENTING Depending on the boiler type, you may or may not be able to pump the full system flow through the boiler(s) directly. Many of the newer low mass boilers need to be hydraulically decoupled from the main building loop, especially when multiple boilers make up the total building capacity. In that case, the primary loop flow is equal to the system requirement where the flow through the boiler is a fraction, depending on how many boilers there are. For example, given a 20F deltaT between supply and return, three equal sized boilers in a 600 000 Btuh system would flow 20 GPM each to a total primary loop system flow of 60 GPM (GPM = Btuh/(deltaT x 500)). Hydraulic separation is accomplished through a low loss header or a set of two closely spaced tees (primary/ secondary), or other engineered fittings that serve the same purpose. Whatever the device, it physically decouples the generation equipment from the building system. Now each boiler can have the right size pump that it needs to ensure adequate flow through that boiler’s heat exchanger and the ability to control the pump’s output based on the boiler’s start-up sequence requirements. The boiler’s venting and combustion air requirements may have changed with the introduction of a new device. Always check the boiler manufacturer’s instruction manual for proper implementation. MODERN HYDRONICS

MORE DETAILS TO ATTEND TO While you are replacing the boiler, also check on some of the following components to ensure the longevity for your newly installed device. Verify the functionality of the existing expansion tank. You can verify its operation by watching the system’s pressure gauge when the boiler(s) fire. Its purpose is to capture a system’s pressure increase resulting from the expansion of the fluid when heated. If the expansion tank is operational, the pressure gauge on the system would maintain its fill pressure. If it failed, the pressure in the system will increase, or even pop the pressure relief valve. Make sure that there is a functional device in the system that can capture the air and dirt in the system, particularly since the boiler plant was just worked on. Air and/or dirt introduced during that process can be detrimental to the new or existing components. It is always an advantage to have a device in place that can continuously remove dirt and air from a closed loop system with potentially ferrous components. Some boiler manufacturers are very strict about the fluid quality and may require specific inhibitors and supplements to be used. That should be verified with the boiler manufacturer. There is a lot to think about, but if you get the replacement right a trouble-free system won’t be eating up the time you could use to develop business and increase profits. Take the time to properly assess the boiler situation – the payback is worth it. Mike Miller is director of sales, building services with Taco Canada Ltd. and is also chair of the Canadian Hydronics Council. Contact him at hydronicsmike@ taco-hvac.com. WWW.HPACMAG.COM

EASIER, FASTER INSTALLATION OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE DESIGN ASSEMBLE O T Y EAS

AMVIC INSULATED RADIANT PEX FLOOR PANEL Amvic Insulated Pex Panels are an efďŹ cient heating alternative for hydronic radiant floor heating systems in new construction and renovations. Ideal for basements, bathrooms, other living areas, exterior use for snow and ice melt applications on driveways & walkways.

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Vitocrossal 300, CU3A 8 reasons itâ€™s perfect for you A compact, floor standing stainless steel condensing boiler for retrofits and cast-iron boiler replacements in residential and small commercial applications. Extremely quiet operation and 95% AFUE efficiency. High water volume extends burner run time and reduces cycling. High temperature operation up to 90Â°C (194Â°F). Fast and easy installation and service with Lambda Pro intelligent combustion management system. MatriX dome burner for natural gas or propane (NG or LP). Durable, reliable and long service life with Inox- Crossal stainless steel heat exchanger and high mass design. No dedicated boiler pump or low loss header required.

www.viessmann.ca 1-800-387-7373

Chasing leaks

PLUMBING >

Figure 1 Penthouse #1 ceiling

Thermography and its role in solving plumbing-related moisture problems. BY TRACY RYAN JASTROW

s plumbing contractors, you are probably familiar with how difficult it can be to track down the source of leaks that cause moisture to accumulate in walls, ceilings and floors. The obvious first step to figuring out whether a leak is caused by a plumbing anomaly is to check the water meter for increased consumption. In multi-unit properties this information is not often available as it is rare for units to have their own meters. The next step would be to determine if any of the exposed plumbing is leaking. This is done by checking around fixtures for any visual, or touchable, signs of moisture or leaking. Failing that, non-destructive testing is the next option. Solving moisture problems without having to break through walls or cut into roofs is a science but since water is a trickster, success in tracking down the source of leaks that cause moisture is not guaranteed. The first step to take in any moisture inspection is to get a clear indication of where the moisture is through infrared imaging. The most common assumption is that where there is moisture, a leak must be nearby. This is not necessarily so. Water, as we know, follows the path of least resistance, so where it originates and where it ends up is anyone’s guess. To put it plainly, the job of a thermographer is to chase down the mois-

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ture and deduce the area in which the source “may” be located. Thermal imaging allows us to locate areas where moisture is present through the cooling effect that the moisture has on the temperature of its environment. Figure 1 shows the effects of moisture penetrating and saturating the ceiling of a condo unit. The client called us in hopes of being able to determine where the leak was originating. The possibility of the leak coming from the roof was ruled out. Knowing that water will travel downward, the investigation led the technician to the units above this one to chase down the source of the leak. The unit above it, Penthouse #2, also showed signs of moisture penetration on the floor (see Figure 2). The unit

above it, Penthouse #3, showed no signs of moisture. This indicated that the source of the leak was somewhere in close proximity to the ceiling of Penthouse #1 and the floor of Penthouse #2. The technician’s first thought was that perhaps water was infiltrating through a dryer vent (to the outside) causing condensation and the resulting moisture between the two units. The leaks were typically prominent when there had been a good rain. The fact that the leaks were happening with rain, led the technician to investigate the outside sites that water could be infiltrating. This is where he found the culprit, which was a clogged drain pipe from the balcony of Penthouse #3.

continued on 50 Figure 2 Moisture penetration Penthouse #2

FEBRUARY 2016 | HPAC

< PLUMBING continued from 49 The most common sources of leaks are generally building envelope related leaks through the fenestration or cracks in the curtain wall. These are usually the easiest to find and mitigate as it is possible, even when moisture is not present, to detect the paths where outdoor air is infiltrating the building envelope. When chasing leaks in the interior of a building, faulty caulking around showers, bathtubs, and toilets is a common source of the problem and the first place to look. A client had been seeing moisture in their condo unit and the unit below was clear of moisture. Investigation around the shower detected that moisture was collecting in the drywall around the shower stall. In a similar situation for a single family home, the homeowner visibly noticed signs of moisture on the drywall and floor (baseboard) of the master bath-

Figure 3 No thermal signs of moisture

room. When the technician first inspected the drywall with thermal imaging there were no thermal signs of moisture in the drywall, even when they pulled up the baseboard (see Figure 3). An investigation of the homeâ€™s infloor heating system ruled it out as a possible issue. However, after running the shower

briefly it was easy to see where the moisture was escaping through faulty caulking around the shower into the drywall and floor (see Figure 4). Figure 4 Thermal imaging showing faulty caulking

Contractors performing investigations using infrared imaging should be properly certified and use a camera with a minimum of 76 600 infrared pixels. The images shown here were taken with a thermal imaging camera at 307 000 infrared pixels. Leaks are not always visible to the naked eye. Further investigation with thermal imaging, and of course, the expert eye of a trained thermographer can save a homeowner a lot of strife. Tracing the damage back to possible sources quickly will ensure the water damage does not cause more serious problems such as mould. Tracy Ryan Jastrow is a Certified Building Investigations Thermographer and director of sales and marketing with InfraRed Imaging Solutions Inc. http://irispdm.com 50

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2016

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HVAC PRODUCTS Air Products & Controls

Trane Air Conditioning Eco-

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Stelpro’s make-up air unit distributes tempered fresh air

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germicidal irradiation (UVGI) light technology that is constantly in

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operation to eliminate contaminants. It features an interlocked door shut-off switch and Teflon-coated lamps to help prevent accidental breakage. www.freshaireuv.com The oversized multi-door drywall access panel from FF Systems has a welded aluminum frame and is available with ½ in. or 5/8 in. inSIGN UP NOW! (416) 922-2448 ext. 304 switchthestat.ca

layed drywall. Both the outer and inner frame assembly are made of high-grade aluminum. Once installed, the panel visually blends into the wall. For sizes 12 in. by 12 in. and larger, the access panels are equipped with a safety system to prevent accidental opening. The access panel is designed with a double door to create a clear and large span opening. www.ffsystems.ca

Johnson Controls has introduced the TEC3000 Series thermostat controller. These direct hardware replacements for TEC2000 Series thermostats reduce installation time by loading all configuration files and parameters at once using a USB stick. The TEC3000 thermostat supports N2 and BACnetMS/TP protocols, resulting in fewer models to select from, so that contractors can modernize systems without changing out hardware. Other features include multiple fan configurations that provide single, multi and variable speed fan control, and an onboard occupancy sensor. www.johnsoncontrols.com 52

HPACMAG.COM

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2016

HPAC_Feb_Switch.indd 1

2016-01-13 1:56 PM

New branch entirely dedicated to heating NOW OPEN (Formerly The Hydronics Group Inc.)

YOUR HEATING

SOLUTION

FULL SERVICE WHOLESALER / DISTRIBUTOR DESIGN DRAWINGS, CONTROL STRATEGIES, TRAINING, ETC. SPECIALIZING IN • radiant floor heating systems • snow and ice melting systems • commercial and residential boilers • residential water heaters • hydronic radiators • high velocity air conditioning • low velocity air handlers • HRV / ERV

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WHERE CONNECTIONS HAPPEN. The MEET (Mechanical Electrical Electronic Technology) Show returns to Moncton... This iconic biennial event draws exhibitors and visitors from throughout Canada and the US, showcasing the very latest products and services available to the mechanical and electrical industries in todayâ€™s market.

To reserve your space at this premier event, please contact: Shawn Murphy, Show Manager â€˘ smurphy@mpltd.ca

1.888.454.7469

EVENT PREVIEW >

Rotterdam to host the IEA Heat Pump Conference Organizers issue a call for papers.

he 12th International Energy Agency (IEA) Heat Pump conference is being held in Rotterdam at the World Trade Centre from May 15 to 18, 2017. The event will host a series of workshops on the topic of energy conservation, most notably the expectations for future energy systems. The goal of the conference is to promote heat pump technologies through discussions, networking and information exchange. The conference will focus on heat pumps, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment in residential, commercial and industrial applications. Stakeholders in the market will be participating, and keynote speakers will lead each major discussion. Attendees will have access to an exhibition area, which will have upwards of 50 booths. A call for papers was issued in the fall and abstracts can now be submitted on the IEA website. The abstracts must be a maximum of 250 words. The authors will be contacted in June of this year. Abstract submission closes on May 1, 2016, and full papers must be received by November 30, 2016. Detailed information is available on the conference website. www.hpc2017.org

RENEWABLE RESOURCE Heating with Renewable Energy is an 850-page textbook written by HPAC columnist John Siegenthaler, P.E., and published by Cengage Learning. It shows readers how to design and construct practical systems that supply space heating and domestic hot water using renewable energy heat sources such as solar thermal collectors, heat pumps and wood-fired boilers. The illustrated text covers the hydronic “building blocks” used on all systems. It provides detailed discussions for each type of renewable energy heat source and includes the analytical tools needed for proper design. Examples are given of how they are used. It combines hardware and design concepts into several complete system designs for each type of renewable energy heat source. This text is fashioned after Modern Hydronic Heating, For Residential and Light Commercial Buildings, now in its 3rd edition. The book is geared to readers who want to design and construct practical, efficient, and “economically sustainable” systems. www.hydronicpros.com

HPACMAG.COM

FEBRUARY 2016 | HPAC HPAC_Feb_BrantHeater.indd 1

2016-01-25 2:26 PM

< REFRIGERANTS

Keeping up the dialogue

Industry stakeholders take advantage of an opportunity to hear from industry experts.

E360 Emerson Climate Technologies’ forum in Montréal.

BY LUC BOILY

efrigeration is a constant moving industry with its changing regulations, “green” requirements and higher system performance targets. In order to keep people informed about technology trends and the latest breakthroughs, Emerson Climate Technologies (ECT) holds its interactive E360 forums across Canada and the U.S. As part of that initiative, Emerson staff together with third party experts in the field of refrigeration were in Montreal last autumn to update and train about 75 industry players, including OEMs, contractors, wholesalers and end users.

Andrè Patenaude, director – CO2 Business Development at Emerson Climate Technologies.

The dialogue with the industry is based on four mainstays, which work closely together.

Over 6,500 CO2 Transcritical Stores Worldwide

ISSUES AND CHALLENGES The main topic was the challenge faced by food service businesses and supermarkets. André Patenaude, head of the Emerson’s CO2 Strategy Department, broke the ice by discussing current challenges and explaining the latest developments in that field. “The dialogue with the industry is based on four mainstays, which work closely together: energy efficiency, environmental protection, equipment reliability/safety and economic issues,” said Patenaude. He noted that of the approximately 6500 stores currently using CO2 (carbon dioxide) refrigeration systems in the world, about 5200 are based in Europe and 1000 in Japan (see Figure 1). These figures provide an excellent picture of the potential of this ecofriendly technology. Patenaude highlighted the tremendously low GWP (global warming potential) of that refrigerant: 1.0 compared to the GWP of around 1000 for several HFCs (hydrofluorocarbon). This was already remarkably better than the GWP of around 5000 for HCFCs (chlorofluorohydrocarbon), which are being phased out.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED “There are currently about 140 CO2 systems in Canada – a figure that is quite good when compared to the 50 systems or so operating across the United States,” said Patenaude. Although HFCs are globally responsible for only two per cent of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), without immediate action, they could represent as much as 19 per cent of them by 2050, noted Dennis Kozina, ECT sales manager. 56

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2016

Figure 1 CO2 in stores all over the world

“Based on 2012 figures, which stated that HFC emissions across Canada were eight megatons (MT) CO2 equivalent, this amount would then climb up to 15 MT by 2020 and 25 MT by 2030,” said Kozina. “It’s quite obvious that corrective actions can’t wait any longer.” In the province of Quebec, the 2013-2020 Climate Change Action Plan aims to reduce GHG emissions by 20 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020. To reach that target, 30 priorities have been set by the government, the Western Climate Initiative has been signed, and the carbon market has been addressed in partnership with the State of California, said Sébastien Bonneau, lobbyist and president of Consultant SJB. “Combining five environmental initiatives, the ÉcoPerformance program, for instance, supports contractors’ efforts in several ways, including refrigeration optimization in supermarkets. An overall $344.25 million fund has been granted to support this program which aims to reduce GHG emissions by 1.5 MT CO2 equivalent,” said Bonneau. www.emersonclimate.com www.mern.gouv.qc.ca HPACMAG.COM

WIN

E S E TH

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You could walk away with thousands of dollars in FREE tools while attending CMPX 2016! Visit hpacmag.com/tools to check out all the tools and visit the suppliers’ websites. Stop by the HPAC booth at the top of the escalators and you’re in! Good Luck – see you at the show! Thermal Imaging Clamp Meter

The FLIR CM174 Imaging 600A AC/DC Clamp Meter with IGM is the first clamp meter equipped with a built-in thermal imager that can quickly lead you to problems you can’t see with a standard clamp meter. Featuring Infrared Guided Measurement (IGM) technology, the CM174 visually guides you to the precise location of a potential electrical problem, identifying dangerous and unknown problem areas safely. www.flir.com

VAC Smart Probe Kit testo’s Thermal Anemometer, Vane Anemometer, Thermo-hygrometer and Infrared Thermometer allows you to optimize ventilation systems performance. The instruments measure air velocity, temperature, relative humidity, wet bulb/dew point, and calculate volume flow.

www.testo.com RMS Wireless HVAC Clamp Meter with ∆T UEi’s new DL429 TRMS HVAC/R clamp meter features a soft-button interface to safely and quickly select any measurement function for full HVAC diagnostics. The dual temperature inputs are extremely useful for measuring T1, T2 or differential temperature drops. When measuring locked rotor amps, the DL429’s programmed inrush capture mode will be invaluable. www.ueitest.com

Bacharach ECO-2020™ The new ECO-2020™ is a compact, high-quality refrigerant recovery machine with a powerful twin-cylinder (1 HP) fan-cooled, oilless compressor that efficiently and quietly pumps all CFC, HFC and HCFC non-flammable refrigerants, including R410a, at industry-leading speeds while preventing pollutants from escaping into the environment. It is the fastest AHRI-certified unit in its class.

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4-Valve Aluminum Manifold The hilmor 4-valve Aluminum Manifold is built to last with a forged aluminum body. It’s designed to be leak-resistant with replaceable stainless steel valve seats, SAE-style O-ring and a securely seated large sight glass. A true 3/8” bore throughout the valve gives you faster vacuum pulls.

www.hilmor.com

Viega ProPress Tool Kit ®

Viega’s flameless press technology system reduces installation times by up to 60%. Viega ProPress enables installers to make press connections in difficult-to-reach areas and with the Smart Connect® feature, they can verify the integrity of each connection. The kit includes a RIDGID® RP 200-B press tool, ½”, ¾”, 1” Viega ProPress jaws, an 18V lithium battery, a battery charger and a soft-sided case. www.viega.us

For your chance to win these products come to CMPX in Toronto MARCH 16-18, stop by the HPAC booth and you’re in!

Visit www.cmpxshow.com for show details

MECHANICAL SUPPLY NEWS MANUFACTURERS • DISTRIBUTORS • WHOLESALERS

KERR CONTROLS RECOGNIZED FOR SALES GROWTH Kerr Controls Limited was the recipient of the 2015 Emerson Climate Technologies Award for Wholesalers Growth. Liborio Mendola, wholesale business development manager from Emerson Climate Technologies, explained that this award is presented to a company who Kerr runs an annual Emerson shows substantial growth in Copeland points promotion for Emerson dealers each the sales of Emerson Climate spring, which allows Emerson Technologies products year customers to qualify for gift over year – in particular, the cards, televisions, Apple iPads, and more. sale of Copeland Brand Products and Emerson Flow Controls Products. “Our team works hard to service and support our customers. Receiving an award like this is gratifying because it highlights that all efforts put in by our team members have resulted in sales growth,” said Jamie Hutt-Semple, vice president of Kerr Controls Limited. “Kerr Controls has had the Copeland line for probably 20 years,” said Steve Wilson, co-chairman of Kerr Controls. “In Atlantic Canada, in a year where housing starts weren’t robust, this is quite an accomplishment.” Mendola explained that the dealer promotion Kerr runs every spring is very successful for both companies and contributed to Kerr’s sales success with the Emerson Copeland line in Atlantic Canada. Using the Tim Hortons Roll Up the Rim to Win as an example, Hutt-Semple said, “When you do something annually, they do wait for it. It does create a buzz.” www.kerrsmartenergy.com www.emersonclimate.com PANASONIC TELEVISION

*Picture is an example only, actual TV may be different.

*See inside for full promotion details.

Providing value and caring service to every customer, every day.

Halifax—Dartmouth—Sydney—Truro—St. John’s—Corner Brook—Moncton Fredericton—Charlottetown—London—Owen Sound—Sudbury

PRO KONTROL EXECS HONOURED BY CETAF Pierre Martin and Marc Bergeron, presidents of Pro Kontrol, a wholesale distribution company, have been awarded Builder of the Year by the Corporation des Joël Grenier, CETAF executive committee member, presents the entreprises de traitement Builder award to Pierre Martin (l) de l’air et du froid (CETAF). and Marc Bergeron (r) The award recognizes a business leader who has enriched Quebec's industrial heritage whether Quebec-wide or regionally due to his leadership, achievements, and business management. 58

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2016

Martin and Bergeron joined Pro Kontrol in 1985, and purchased the business in 1991. Under the duo’s guidance, the company, which is based out of Laval, QC, opened additional locations totalling three branches in Quebec, one in Markham, ON and one in Dartmouth, NS. “We have worked very hard, with passion and conviction, to get here,” said Martin. CETAF attributes Pro Kontrol’s success to the quality of the company’s customer service and the support of its technical experts. Pro Kontrol also offers a range of training courses. www.prokontrol.com TOTO MAKES ENVIRONMENTAL STRIDES In November 2015, TOTO announced that its high-efficiency commercial wall-hung toilet, two ultra high-efficiency urinals and wallhung commercial lavatory have been dubbed Red List Free, by the International Living Future Institute’s (ILFI) Declare Products TOTO’s Red Database. The ILFI’s Declare Program may List Free ultra be compared to nutritional labeling on pack- high efficiency aged food. If the ILFI finds that a product urinal. contains an ingredient from the Living Building Challenge’s (LBC) Red List, that ingredient is written in red on the label, and the product is listed in the Declare database as Declared. If a product contains a Red List ingredient with a LBC exception, the exception is noted on the Declare label, and the product is listed as LBC compliant. If a product has no Red List Ingredients, such as the TOTO products mentioned above, it is listed as Red List Free. In addition to its Red List Free products, TOTO has also announced that three new PVC-free high-efficiency toilets (HETs) are LBC compliant, five new HETs are Declared, and a new commercial undercounter lavatory has also been Declared. Some of the ingredients found on the LBC Red List include asbestos, mercury, lead and halogenated flame retardants. www.totousa.com www.living-future.org NEW PUMP EFFICIENCY STANDARDS COMING On December 31, 2015 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued new efficiency standards for commercial and industrial pumps. These standards are based upon efficiency levels that have been negotiated by manufacturers, efficiency advocates and other stakeholders. The new standards apply to clean water pumps between one and 200 horsepower, which are used for a variety of applications including irrigation, circulation of hot and cold water in commercial buildings for heating and cooling, and pressure boosting in high-rise apartment buildings. The HPACMAG.COM

standards will require the least efficient 25 per cent of pumps in today’s market to be redesigned to enahnce efficiency and reduce energy losses. “As most of the pump manufacturers are either based in the U.S. or market there, the majority of the equipment will be upgraded to meet the new standards,” said Jim Garrett, general manager for Taco Canada. He further explained that, “The Canadian market will benefit from this as the majority of the equipment sold in Canada is also either manufactured or sold in the U.S., and the manufacturers will not maintain separate designs for each country.” Mark Handzel, vice president product regulatory affairs and director, HVAC commercial buildings, Xylem, offered a similar perspective. He said that most pump manufacturers sell the same centrifugal pump models throughout North America, “so Canadian contractors, designers and specifiers should expect to receive the same products that are sold in the U.S. that comply with the U.S. DOE centrifugal pump energy conservation standards,” he said. The pump standards join others published by the DOE in late 2015, and are expected to take effect in 2020. www.energy.gov SPECTRUM BRANDS ADDS DISTRIBUTORS Spectrum Brands Canada has announced several additions to its Canadian wholesale sales broker line-up. Equipco Limited now represents it in the plumbing wholesale channel in British Columbia, Southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Robert Parkinson will lead this team. Great Lakes Marketing has the South West Ontario territory under David Brooks’ guidance. Aquaro Sales Agency will represent Spectrum Brands in Quebec under Tina Morellato’s direction, and Scott Snyder Sales Group will represent Spectrum Brands in Atlantic Canada, including New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Flow Sales and RM Bellamy sales will continue to represent the company in the remainder of Ontario and Northern Alberta. www.spectrumbrands.com TECHNICAL EXPANDS ITS PRODUCT OFFERING TechniCAL Systems 2002, a distributor of test and measurement instruments located in Hamilton, ON, now distributes Rotronic Instruments, including handheld instruments, measurement transmitters, industrial sensors, OEM products and data loggers. TechniCAL is also distributing SIKA electronic measuring and calibration instruments and Geo Calibration ‘humidity and temperature calibrators/generators’, exclusively in Canada. www.technical-sys.com HPACMAG.COM

CANADIAN REPS A FIRST FOR ARZEL ZONING TECHNOLOGY Delta T. Components, which is comprised of sales professionals across Canada, is now the exclusive rep of Arzel Zoning Technology in Canada. Contact Ken Mehlenbacher (Ontario) 905.648.0445; Mike Duffey (Ontario and Western Canada) 416.567.7233; Bob Di Tomaso (Quebec and the Maritime provinces) 450.686.9652; Andrew Holman (Quebec, the Maritimes, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) 819.448.4475; and Bob Emmanuel (British Columbia and Alberta) 604.904.9810. www.arzelzoning.com DISTECH CONTROLS HONOURED AT GRANDS PRIX QUÉBÉCOIS DE LA QUALITÉ In late November, Distech Controls announced that the company was recognized at the Grands Prix québécois de la Etienne Veilleux, founder of Distech Controls(r) and qualité (GPQQ) as a grand prize Jacques Daoust, Quebec’s laureate in the SME Independent minister of economy, innovation and exports. Manufacturer category. The annual award, which is the highest distinction given by the government of Quebec, recognizes the province’s private and public organizations that stand out with regards to the quality of their management and global performance. www.distech-controls.com

The team at Wolseley’s combined plumbing & HVAC/R branch in Dartmouth, N.S.

A NEW YEAR AND NEW DIGS FOR WOLSELEY Wolseley has undergone a series of facility upgrades, along with team and department amalgamations across the country. In early December 2015, Wolseley’s Dartmouth, NS plumbing and HVAC/R branches merged and relocated to a larger facility. The plumbing branch, which was previously located at 20-24 Akerley Blvd., and the HVAC/R branch, previously located at 100 Wright Ave., are now at 15 Garland Ave. The company also announced the upgrade and expansions of its HVAC/R branch in Brantford, ON, and its plumbing branch in Brandon, MB. Both branches have been renovated and now carry the company’s full line of plumbing and HVAC/R products. www.wolseleyinc.ca

continued on 60 FEBRUARY 2016 | HPAC

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.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE > >> Danfoss has appointed Miha Kavcic as head of sales and business development in North America. In this role, Kavcic will be responsible for advancing the company’s business within the heating market, including hydronic balancing and control, electric heating, and combined heat and power solutions. Kavcic has been with Danfoss for over 15 years, and was most recently vice president responsible for Danfoss’ global hydronic balancing and control product business. He holds an MBA from IEDC-Bled School of Management and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia. www.danfoss.us

>> Dave Binz, former regional sales manager for Cambridge Engineering, has been promoted to a leadership role with the firm’s Applications Engineering team. As a sales manager, Binz worked closely with Cambridge’s three manufacturer representative firms that service the Canadian market and include: Air Cube, Inc; Air Trade Equipment; and New Trend. In his new position, Binz will continue to work with these reps and their customers for all projects requiring a nuanced, customized engineering approach, including all LEED and green building focused applications. Cambridge did 10 per cent of its business in Canada in 2014, 15 per cent in 2015, and expects that to grow to 20 per cent in 2016. www.cambridge-eng.com

>> December 14, 2015 Cédric Ribot has been providing leadership to the Aquabrass Canadian sales teams since. Ribot has 18 years of experience in the bathroom design industry, and extensive knowledge of both the European and North American markets. Ribot relocated to Montreal, QC in 2011 and became the founder and president of Systemic Design Consulting Inc. (SDC), a manufacturers representative and consultancy agency specializing in sales and business development. www.aquabrass.com

ACQUISITIONS RectorSeal Corp., a manufacturer of HVAC/R products, has recently acquired the assets of Universal Technologies Inc., Baltimore, MD and its AC Leak Freeze brands of refrigeration and air conditioning system leak repair sealants. According to the company, HVAC/R wholesalers and contractors will not notice the changeover when RectorSeal transitions to marketing, sales and customer support of AC Leak Freeze and its website, www.leakfreeze.com. The Universal Technologies transaction is RectorSeal’s fifth acquisition since 2011. www.rectorseal.com

THE SOURCE

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Adrian Steel....................... www.AdrianSteel.com....................... page 50

Liberty Pumps.................... www.libertypumps.com..................... page 11

Amvic................................ www.amvicsystem.com................ page MH31

Lochinvar........................... www.Lochinvar.com...................... page MH17

Aqua-Tech.......................... www.aquatech-canada.com.......... page MH16 Bardon Supplies................. www.bardonsupplies.com............. page MH25 Brant Radiant Heaters....... www.brantradiant.com...................... page 55

Master Group..................... www.master.ca................................. page 53 MEET Show....................... www.meetshow.ca............................ page 54

Caleffi................................ www.caleffi.com............................. page MH7

Navien............................... www.navien.com............................ page MH9

Centrotherm...................... www.centrotherm.us.com............ page MH24

NTI.................................... www.ntiboilers.com...................... page MH29

CMPX................................ www.cmpxshow.ca...............................page 9

RBI.................................... www.rbiwaterheaters.com.page MH13, MH21

Fastform............................ www.fastform.ca............................ page MH3 Flir..................................... www.flir.ca/C2.....................................page 7 GM.................................... www.gmbusinesschoice.ca............... page 13

Security Chimneys............. www.securitychimneys.com.............. page 15 Switch the ‘Stat................ www.switchthestat.ca...................... page 52

Habitat for Humanity.......... www.ciph.com/gala.......................... page 60

Taco.................................. www.tacocomfortsolutions.com... page MH19

HBX Controls..................... www.hbxcontrols.com.................. page MH23

Tamas Hydronic Systems... www.tamashydronic.com............. page MH18

Heatlink............................. www.heatlink.com........................ page MH15

Uponor............... www.uponorpro.com/commercialpiping............ page 51

Heatspring......................... www.heatspring.com.............. page 12, MH27 Hilmor................................ www.hilmor.com/manifold....................page 5 Hood Chemical.................. www.HOODchemical.com............. page MH12

Viega................................. www.viega.us.......................................page 2 Viessmann......................... www.viessmann.ca....................... page MH32

IBC.................................... www.ibcboiler.com......................... page MH2

Watts................................ www.Watts.ca/drainage................... page 64

IPEX.................................. www.ipexinc.com.............................. page 63

Zurn.................................. www.zurn.com................................... page 10

HPACMAG.COM

FEBRUARY 2016 | HPAC

CALENDAR

FOR THE LATEST EVENT NEWS, SEE WWW.HPACMAG.COM World Plumbing Day March 11

CIPH Gala Evening March 15

RSES AGM March 17

World Plumbing Day is an international event initiated by the World Plumbing Council. It is held on March 11 each year to recognise the important role plumbing plays in societal health.

See p60. www.ciph.com

CMPX March 16-18

The 60th RSES Annual General Meeting will be held in Toronto, ON. For more information, e-mail Nick Reggi, dreggi@ cogeco.ca.

www.worldplumbingday.org

See p8. www.cmpxshow.com

www.rsescanada.com

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

International Emerging Technology Symposium May 10-11

The 2016 National HVAC/R Educators and Trainers Conference will be held at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.

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

MEET - Mechanical Electrical Electronic Technology 2016 will take place at the Moncton Coliseum Complex in Moncton, NB.

www.hvacexcellence.org

www.safeplumbing.org

www.meetshow.ca

Canadian Apprenticeship Forum Conference June 5-7 This biennial event will highlight practices and innovative solutions in apprenticeship training. It will be held in Vancouver, BC and over 500 delegates are expected to participate. www.caf-fca.org

MEET May 18-19

Cleaner Heat Conference 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.ciph.com

www.cleanerheatconference.ca

HRAI Annual Meeting & Conference August 24-26

Sustainable Built Environment September 19-20

CIPHEX West November 2-3

The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute will hold its 48th annual meeting and conference at the Hyatt Regency in Calgary, AB. www.hrai.ca

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

The tradeshow will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

www.ciphexwest.ca

PLANNING AN EVENT? SEND THE DETAILS TO BETH MCKAY, ASSISTANT EDITOR BMCKAY@HPACMAG.COM

TRAINING

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS CANADA LEED Canada

Canadian Hydronics Council

Canada Green Building Council workshops include LEED Green Associate Exam Preparation, Net Positive Energy Buildings, and Introduction to the LEED-v4 Rating System, tel. 866.941.1184. www.cagbc.org

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

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.

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

www.constructioneducation.ca

Energy Management

HRAI SkillTech Academy

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.

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.langara.bc.ca

www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca

www.hrai.ca/skilltechtraining.html 62

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2016

HPACMAG.COM

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