Mechanical Business January/February 2022

JAN/FEB 2022 $6.95

Dan Riskin:

Going to bat for science

Hydrogen and electrification: The future of heating Employee termination: Protect your business Flood recovery and HVAC systems: A Q&A Controlling discharge and liquid pressure A new generation of air quality sensing The finer points of detecting water leaks Also in this issue: A P P L I C A T I O N S

|

T E C H N O L O G I E S FEBRUARY 2022

AARON GALLANT:

PM #41536047

ALWAYS AN ISLANDER • • • • HYDRONIC PRODUCT SHOWCASE • JOBSITE JARGON WITH A HYDRONIC TWIST • EIGHT MAJOR REVISIONS TO LOOK FOR IN CSA B214 • ALL ABOUT ACTUATORS

DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST FOR THE FIELD

REAP THE BENEFITS OF CLOUD CONNECTIVITY

INTEGRATING SNOWMELT WITH BAS

A sopping wet supplement of Mechanical Business

www.mechanicalbusiness.com

w w w . m e c ha ni c a l bus i nes s . c om MB Cover02.22v2 FINAL.indd 1

2022-01-21 10:33 PM

CUT THE CORD AND KEEP ON WORKING

Gen-Eye X-POD Plus

®

Now you can inspect drain lines far from a power source.

The Gen-Pack battery adapter allows up to 12 hours of remote operation with limited access to power. The Gen-Pack is also sold separately.

But wait, there’s more. You can now record onto a flash drive or send the recording to your customers with the built-in Wi-Fi transmitter. Also, you can track just how far the camera has traveled down the line with the on-screen distance counter.

NEW Gen-Pack™ Battery Adapter.

(Battery not included)

For more information, visit www.drainbrain.com/XPodPlus, or call the Drain Brains® at 800-245-6200 Visit us at CMPX Booth #2109

© 2022 General Wire Spring

GPC-0578_X-PODPlus_PRO_8.125x10.875_MechBus.indd 1 MB Generaljjm.indd 1

1/17/22 3:14 PM 2022-01-18 11:36 AM

M e c h a n i c a l

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

CONTENTS

TA B L E

O F

66 NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Hydrogen and electrification: the future of heating Will there be one, two, or many new low carbon energy alternatives?

Jonathon Harp

31 WET HEAT SUPPLEMENT

From an array of hydronic products, to the latest in monitoring systems, pumps, controls, troubleshooting, system design, and more, check out the first of our semi-annual Wet Heat Applications & Technology supplements in 2022.

A P P L I C A T I O N S

|

T E C H N O L O G I E S

FEBRUARY 2022

AARON GALLANT:

ALWAYS AN ISLANDER • • • INTEGRATING SNOWMELT WITH BAS • HYDRONIC PRODUCT SHOWCASE • JOBSITE JARGON WITH A HYDRONIC TWIST • EIGHT MAJOR REVISIONS TO LOOK FOR IN CSA B214 • ALL ABOUT ACTUATORS

DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST FOR THE FIELD

REAP THE BENEFITS OF CLOUD CONNECTIVITY

A sopping wet supplement of Mechanical Business

Dan Riskin:

G O I N G T O B AT F O R S C I E N C E

28 COVER STORY

This scientist and journalist takes his role as science advocate very seriously, particularly with COVID-19 in the mix.

Kerry Turner

www.mechanicalbusiness.com

On the cover: There is a knack to paring down a scientific topic while still informing and engaging an audience, and our very own Canadian science guy Dan Riskin has nailed it. Cover photo: Vanessa Heins

MB Contents02.22v1.indd 1

2022-01-23 1:06 PM

CONTENTS

TA B L E ­F E A T U R E S

M B

O F

S P E C I A L I S T S

20

24

15 NEWS FEATURE

Quebec phases out residential oil-fired heating Province takes drastic measures to help it reach its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heating buildings.

Carolyn Cooper

HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC A new generation of air quality sensing Gord Cooke A look at the move towards a more comprehensive or integrated approach to indoor air quality control.

REFRIGERATION Controlling discharge and liquid pressure at low heat sink temperatures – Part II Phil J. Boudreau The discharge regulation method has some advantages over the condensate or liquid drop leg regulation method discussed in Part I.

34 HYDRONICS All about actuators Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr Actuators are part of our everyday life and are prevalent in hydronic and HVAC applications.

52 ROAD WARRIOR: Aaron Gallant Always an Islander Carolyn Cooper

58 MARKETING Can your company help customers smarten up?

Doug MacMillan Businesses in home services need to showcase their expertise in “smart” technologies.

70 HUMAN RESOURCES

End of the Line Hiring is a tricky business, fraught with expense, regulations and legal ramifications if done wrong and firing is no different. When you prepare yourself for these encounters ahead of time, you can protect yourself and your business.

Sue Sodek

60 PLUMBING The finer points of leak detection Fred Bretzke Technologies have improved, particularly for interior leaks, while underground occurrences continue to challenge plumbers.

74 HVAC

Flood recovery: A guide for home heating and cooling systems HVAC technicians should make specific recommendations for restoring indoor comfort on a case-by-case basis.

Melissa Holsberg

D E PA R T M E N T S

P R O D U C T S

6Economic Outlook

40-42Hydronics

8-14News

64,65Plumbing

16Movers & Shakers

68HVAC/R

18,19People

72Stuff You Need

76,77The Info Page 77Events 78By the Numbers 4

M e c h a n i c a l

MB Contents02.22v1.indd 2

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-23 1:11 PM

MB Oateyjjm.indd 1

2022-01-20 5:28 PM

Content Media Group Inc. 19 – 1525 Cornwall Road Oakville, ON L6J 0B2 Canada Tel: 905.465.2919 www.mechanicalbusiness.com January/February 2022 Issue Published 6 times per year.

For All Subscription Inquiries Shila Naik Circulation Director 905-272-4175 shila.naik@mechanicalbusiness.com Editor: Kerry Turner, C 416-435-1193 kerry.turner@mechanicalbusiness.com National Sales Manager: Kyle Badder, C 416-735-1375 kyle.badder@mechanicalbusiness.com Operations Manager: Caroline Bexfield, C 647-217-2076 caroline.bexfield@mechanicalbusiness.com Art Direction: Fourteen Orange Graphic Design Inc. davem@fourteenorange.com Controller: Liz Mills liz.mills@mechanicalbusiness.com Publisher: Bruce Meacock, C 416-457-9563 bruce.meacock@mechanicalbusiness.com PM:41536047 ISSN 1916-0674 MB (Print) ISSN 1906-0682 MB (Online)

We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada.

Submissions: Copyright in material submitted to the magazine and accepted for publication remains with the author, but Mechanical Business and its licensees may freely reproduce it in print, electronic or other forms.

Mechanical Business also reserves the right to edit said submitted materials to suit the editorial needs and mandate of the publication.

Notice: Mechanical Business is published for owners, managers and decision makers with mechanical contracting firms and the sector’s supply chain partners in Canada. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information, Mechanical Business, Content Media Group Inc., its staff, directors, officers and shareholders (‘The Publisher’) assume no liability, obligation or responsibility for advertised claims, for errors and/or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Manufacturers’ instructions take precedence over published editorial. The publisher reserves the right to publish a printed correction in a subsequent issue for editorial errors, omissions and oversights.

Subscriptions are available for $90 plus taxes in Canada and the U.S. Single copies are $15.00. Outside Canada and the U.S., the rates are $150.00 (annual) and $25.00 (single copy).

© Copyright 2022. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission of the publisher.

Proud members of:

ECONOMIC

OUTLOOK

By Carolyn Cooper

Boosts to the Canadian economy bode well for 2022 Canada’s economy is on the road to recovery, with 5.1 per cent growth forecasted at for 2021 and 4.1 per cent for 2022.

That was the message from Peter Norman, vice president and chief economist for the Altus Group, speaking Home renovation spending jumped dramatically in 2020 at a recent seminar and 2021 as many people found themselves with more hosted by the disposable income.

Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating and the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute.

Norman reports that despite the pandemic and issues such as labour and supply chain disruptions, there have been several boosts to the economy in which are cause for cautious celebration. That includes record housing sales and residential renovation spending, as well as a rebound in employment.

While Norman says Canada lost approximately three million jobs at the outset of the pandemic, those jobs have now been recovered, led by employment growth in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia.

Retail sales have increased 16 per cent since 2020, despite the risk of inflation caused by supply chain issues and renewed spending, and Norman says that because consumers had been saving since the onset of the pandemic, households are wealthier than they were pre-pandemic. Norman believes online shopping will continue to garner a larger share of goods and services spending going forward.

Because more consumers are working from home, Norman says vacancy rates for commercial buildings have shot up across the country, and investment in new commercial builds has dropped 25 per cent. Meanwhile, home renovation sales jumped dramatically in 2020 and 2021, led initially by DIY sales. “People are flush with money and a lot of that is going into retrograding of homes, and we don’t see that abating much this year because the money situation will remain the same and people are still spending a lot of time at home,” says Norman.

Home sales are very buoyant, and Norman says 2020 was a record year for sales although they moderated in the last few months of 2021. “Home sales are still well in excess of pre-pandemic levels,” he says. New single-family homes were the strongest sellers in 2020 and remained high at about 135,000 units in 2021, but demand was beginning to shift towards townhouses, apartments and condominiums.

In an update provided by Norman, he notes that Omicron has had a large impact on expectations. “We’re now looking at Canada GDP of 4.5 per cent in 2021 and 4.0 per cent in 2022,” says Norman. ciph.com hrai.ca

6

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_Mastead 02.22v2.indd 1

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-28 9:20 AM

Navien takes fire tube technology and performance higher and higher

New NFB-H high capacity condensing fire tube boilers Totally reinvented fire tube technology from the ground up and we continue to advance our compact boiler performance to the highest levels • Patented stainless steel fire tube heat exchanger—designed to reduce high stress point welds • Advanced user interface with intuitive text display and Quick Dial Wheel • Smart controls with Setup Wizard to simplify boiler start up and trouble-shooting • AFUE 95.0%—Energy Star certified

• Compact, light weight, wall hung design saves space over traditional floor standing boilers • Built-in 3 zone pumps or 3 zone valves powered connections • Optional NaviLink® Wi-Fi remote control • Common venting up to 8 units and cascading up to 16 units • Up to 15:1 turndown ratio To learn more about the new NFB-H high capacity boilers visit Navieninc.com

The leader in condensing technology...does it again.

VISIT NAVIEN AT BOOTH 2025

MB Navienjjm.indd 1

2022-01-20 5:19 PM

02.22

News

www.mechanicalbusiness.com

BC issues energy efficiency standards for residential gas boilers British Columbia’s Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, Energy Efficiency Branch, has issued updated performance standards for new and replacement residential gas boilers. The updates to the Energy Efficiency Standards Regulation (EESR) will require residential gas boilers to have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) equal to or greater than 90 per cent.

The new performance standard applies to boilers using propane or natural gas with an input rating of less than 87.92 kW (300,000 Btu/h), as well as space heating boilers and combo boilers that also service a domestic hot water system. Residential gas boilers were not previously regulated by BC. In addition, the province has harmonized product certification and labelling requirements with the federal energy efficiency regulation, meaning all gas boilers must have an energy efficiency verification label and the trademark of a certification body accredited by the Standards Council of Canada.

The product must be also tested using the CSA P.2-13 – testing method for measuring the AFUE of residential gas-fired or oil-fired furnaces and boilers. The new standard will apply to products manufactured and sold after January 1, 2022. gov.bc.c

Coldest NHL game on record required ice to be heated It was a brisk -21°C when the puck dropped for the 2022 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Target Field in Minneapolis, MN on New Year’s Day, officially making the hockey game the coldest game in NHL history. The temperature dropped to -23°C during the game between the Minnesota Wild and the St. Louis Blues (with the Blues winning six to four), or nearer to -29°C with the windchill. A 53-ft. long mobile rink refrigeration unit, which was specially built for outside games, pumped glycol through pipes to the 243 aluminum ice pans making up the rink floor, and back to the unit to transfer heat. Because of fluctuating outdoor temperatures, the ice required heating to help keep it at an optimal temperature of -30 to -31°C and prevent it from becoming brittle.

According to the NHL, when the air temperature is above the optimum ice temperature, the glycol and aluminum pans transfer heat away from the ice. But when the air temperature is below the optimum ice temperature, heat is transferred to the ice. The NHL used two inline heaters for the first time, one at the refrigeration truck and another in the outfield, to warm the glycol in the pipes on the way to the floor. Numerous sensors, including eight sensors embedded in the ice, gave the facilities operations workers real-time data, allowing the crew to “calibrate the temperature to a half-degree.” In addition, heated blankets were kept on the ice for as long as possible before the game.

Feds propose tax credit for IAQ upgrades

nhl.com

Virtual, in-person or hybrid?

Check out mechanicalbusiness.com for the latest information on industry events.

8

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_News 02.22v5.indd 2

B u s i n e s s

The federal government is proposing a 25 per cent tax credit on eligible indoor air quality improvement expenses incurred by small businesses. The Small Businesses Air Quality Improvement Tax Credit applies to the purchase or upgrade of HVAC systems, and the purchase of air filtration equipment using HEPA filters between September 1, 2021 and December 31, 2022, up to $10,000 per location and $50,000 in total. The government will spend an additional $100 million to support ventilation-related projects in the provinces and territories, and $10 million specifically for ventilation projects in First Nations’ on-reserve schools. As well as the $150 million announced in 2020, $70 million over three years starting in 2022/23 will go to Infrastructure Canada to support ventilation projects. At press-time the credit had not been passed into law. canada.ca/en/department-finance.htm

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-28 9:41 AM

Lindsay Barber Modern Niagara won the 2021 Canadian CaGBC Green Building Excellence − Zero Carbon Award for its retrofit of AMPED Sports Lab & Ice Complex in Ottawa, ON.

Modern Niagara recognized for safety and green building Ottawa, ON-based Modern Niagara is the winner of the 2021 Canadian Green Building Council’s (CaGBC) Green Building Excellence − Zero Carbon Award. The award recognizes organizations and individuals for leadership in reducing the environmental impact of the built environment.

The company was recognized for its retrofit of AMPED Sports Lab & Ice Complex in Ottawa, which included energy efficiency and carbon reduction solutions. The company added intelligent building automation systems and replaced all fossil fuel consumption on-site. The facility is also the world’s first arena with Zero Carbon Building Performance Standard certification.

Modern Niagara was also named the winner of the Bruce Power Award for Canada’s Safest Construction Employer in the 2021 Canada’s Safest Employers awards. Finally, the company was named Overall Winner for Canada in the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association’s 2021 Safety Excellence Awards. modernniagara.com

NRCan updates Greener Homes Grant eligible products Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has updated its product eligibility list for space and water heating products under the Greener Homes Grant initiative. The eligible model lists are available online in a searchable format. nrcan.gc.ca

Follow Us on:

Miriam Jordi

Jennifer Green

Women in the winners’ circle The 2021 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards, presented by Women’s Executive Network (WXN), KPMG and Mercedes-Benz Canada, include Lindsay Barber, director of product management for Masco Canada, and Miriam Jordi, project coordinator at Edmonton, AB-based Chandos Construction. Barber won in the emerging leaders category, and Jordi was awarded in the skilled trades category. Jennifer Green, director of competitions and young women’s initiatives at Skills Ontario was presented with the Dream Builder Award in the 2021 Women of Inspiration Awards. She was also recognized by the Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Awards in 2020. wxnetwork.com universalwomensnetwork.com

Recalls & Notices Health Canada has announced a recall for White-Rodgers Gen II Intellivent natural gas and propane control valves installed on certain models of Giant and Gemco water heaters due to the risk of carbon monoxide leaks. In addition, specific models of Goodman evaporator coil drain pans have been recalled.

White-Rodgers Gen II Intellivent natural gas and propane control valves.

recalls-rappels.canada.ca

Skilled Trades Ontario launches The government of Ontario has launched Skilled Trades Ontario, a Crown agency designed to improve trades training and simplify services for the province’s 144 trades. Skilled Trades Ontario will work to promote and market the trades, develop training and curriculum standards, and offer a streamlined process for tradespeople. The agency, which replaces the Ontario College of Trades, includes online services to help apprentices reduce processing and registration times for training programs. skilledtradesontario.ca M e c h a n i c a l

MB_News 02.22v5.indd 3

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

9

2022-01-27 2:36 PM

02.22

News

www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Report shows green building remains a priority worldwide

HRAI announces 2021 Achievement Award winners The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) has announced its annual awards celebrating Gord Cooke volunteers with the organization. The 2021 award recipients include: President’s Award - Gord Cooke, Building Knowledge, and Victor Hyman, ClimateCare; Merit Award - Rick Ellul, Belimo; and the Warren Heeley Environmental Award - Marie Li-Ying, Honeywell. hrai.ca

Victor Hyman

Rick Ellul

Marie Li-Ying

The recently released 2021 World Green Building Trends Report reveals that efforts to increase green building and cut carbon emissions remain top priorities around the world.

The report was published by the Dodge Construction network and contributing partner the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). More than 1,200 industry professionals were surveyed. It found that despite the challenges of COVID-19 over the past two years, commitments to green building remains high. Respondents say they are now focusing on strategies to reduce energy consumption and the carbon footprint of building projects in order to create net-zero/ net-positive buildings. They also noted that “messaging about increasing filtered air exchange in buildings directly influenced their choice of HVAC system while social distancing impacted building design.” usgbc.org

Alberta unveils hydrogen plan

SMACNA issues new standards for duct construction The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) has released the fourth edition of the HVAC Duct Construction Standards – Metal and Flexible. The standards are the state-of-the-art in sheet metal duct fabrication and installation requirements, and is the code-mandated standard for the industry. The four edition is available in PDF or book

PPI launches PP online resource The Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) Building and Construction Division has a new webpage answering frequently asked questions about polypropylene pressure pipe systems. The page is also a resource for information about PP-R and PP-RCT piping materials, including applications and installation. plasticpipe.org

10

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_News 02.22v5.indd 4

Alberta has introduced its hydrogen roadmap outlining how the province will reduce carbon emissions. Part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, the Alberta Hydrogen Roadmap also shows how the province plans on positioning itself as an international leader in clean hydrogen.

The roadmap includes specific and measurable actions that will incorporate clean hydrogen into the energy sources used in the residential and commercial heating, industrial processes, power generation and transportation sectors. That includes building new market demand; enabling carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS); de-risking early investments; and establishing exports. The province also says it will create hydrogen codes and standards and a performance-based regulatory framework. In the heating market, the province says hydrogen can be blended with natural gas or burned directly to heat homes, creating an opportunity to decarbonize the natural gas distribution grid while slowly transitioning to higher blends of hydrogen. For more information on hydrogen, see Jonathon Harp’s article “Is hydrogen entering the NG mix?” from the March/April 2021 issue of Mechanical Business, and Hydrogen and electrification: The future of heating on p66 of this issue. alberta.ca

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-27 4:12 PM

Supporting Women in Trades Conference returns in 2022

Dean Conte

Rob Newmarch

Ken Samson

Wendell Brown

CIPH presents service awards

The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA), has announced that the Supporting Women in Trades Conference (SWiT) will take place June 2 to 3, 2022 at the Delta Hotels by Marriott St. John’s Conference Centre in St. John’s, NL. The conference is open to apprentices and skilled trades workers who identify as women, their champions and community allies, including employers, labour organizations, government, educators, and other advocates for diversity and inclusion in the skilled trades. The conference will include interactive workshops and presentations on initiatives supporting women in trades, best practices, and CAF-FCA’s new National Leadership Development Program for Women in the Skilled Trades. caf-fca.org/2022-swit-conference

The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) presented Dean Conte and Rob Newmarch with Lifetime Service Awards during the BC regional Christmas luncheon.

Conte is president of Coquitlam, BC-based Hy-Line Sales (2018) Ltd., and Newmarch is a partner with the company. The Lifetime Service Award recognizes employees of CIPH member companies with 40 years of experience in the industry. The organization has also recognized Ken Samson, buyer for EMCO Corporation, with its 50 Year Service Award, and Wendell Brown with an award recognizing his 60 years of service to the plumbing and HVAC/R industry. Samson, who is retiring, has spent his entire career with EMCO, beginning when he was 17. Brown is an inside sales representative for Kotyck Bros Ltd., a division of EMCO. He began his career in 1957 with Peace Foundry and was president of CIPH Ontario Region in 19881989. ciph.com

The Perfect System!

U.S. Patent No. 10,328,554

C-RHEX® Cleanable, Reversible, Magnetic Hex Drivers, combined with Legendary Zip-in® screws. Perfectly matched to create efficient installation of sheet metal screws.

See our complete family of C-RHEX® Hex Drivers and Zip-in® Sheet Metal Screws

at www.malcotools.com Malco Products, SBC • Annandale, MN. U.S.A. • ©2022

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_News 02.22v4.indd 5

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

11

2022-01-25 2:52 PM

02.22

News

www.mechanicalbusiness.com

HRAI aims to establish residential trade in East Coast The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) has applied to the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Authority (NSAA) to establish a residential trade focused on the province’s HVAC sector. According to HRAI, the move comes after consultations with members in the region “exposed a skills gap between what the market needs and what the HVAC industry is currently able to deliver.” HRAI says “the current minimum regulatory requirement in the region for residential HVAC work is the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Trade (except Newfoundland and Labrador where it is not compulsory) but in recent years the supply of RAC mechanics is far below what is needed to meet market demand.

In the view of contractors in the region, the scope of training for this trade also exceeds the competency requirements for the residential sector.” As a result, HRAI is proposing that a new trade be established to service the region’s residential sector following the same approach that has been implemented in Manitoba and Ontario, and is currently being explored in British Columbia. hrai.ca

BC launches paid sick days starting in 2022 British Columbia has introduced a minimum of five paid sick days for all workers covered by the Employment Standards Act (ESA), beginning January 1, 2022. BC is the first province to permanently legislate paid sick leave for workers, which applies to part-time and full-time employees. The ESA does not cover federally regulated sectors, self-employed workers and employees in occupations excluded from the ESA. www2.gov.bc.ca/gov

Enbridge Gas launches hydrogen-blending project Calgary, AB-based Enbridge Gas Inc. has announced that North America’s first hydrogen-blending project is now fully operational in Markham, ON. Hydrogen blending involves injecting clean hydrogen into the delivered natural gas to reduce its carbon footprint, in this case up to two per cent by volume of the natural gas supplied. According to Enbridge, the innovative technology will supply green gas and lead to larger made-in-Ontario clean energy solutions. The $5.2-million pilot project is in partnership with Cummins Inc., with support from Sustainable Development Technology Canada, the Canadian Gas Association and NGIF Capital Corporation.

The project involves enhancements to the existing Markham Power-to-Gas facility built by Enbridge and Cummins in 2018 to allow it to store surplus electricity as pure hydrogen until needed. The project will eliminate up to 117 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, without impacting the market cost of natural gas. “Zero-carbon hydrogen is now playing a role in Ontario’s shift to lower-carbon, sustainable energy solutions and is an important example of the investments Enbridge Gas is making across multiple markets to green the natural gas grid while continuing to meet the demand for safe, reliable and affordable energy,” says Cynthia Hansen, executive vice president, and president, Gas Distribution & Storage, for Enbridge.

Earn points.

Get Rewards.

Contact ECCO Supply™ today to Sign Up! 16 BRANCHES ACROSS CANADA TO SERVE YOU!

www.eccosupply.ca

For more information on hydrogen in heating applications, see Jonathon Harp’s article Is hydrogen entering the NG mix? in the March/April 2021 issue and Hydrogen and electrification: the future of heating on p66 in this issue. enbridgegas.com

10 12

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_News 02.22v5.indd 6

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-28 10:51 AM

Alberta honours new Trades Hall of Fame members Alberta has announced the 2021 inductees into its Trades Hall of Fame. Among winners are Megan Mathes, a Red Seal refrigeration and air conditioning Megan Mathes Graham Prokopetz journeyperson and gasfitter. As a mentor and a leader, Mathes has made a significant impact on the trades and apprenticeship system.

She is currently a member of SAIT’s School of Construction Deans Advisory Board. Another winner is Graham Prokopetz, a plumber journeyperson, steamfitter-pipefitter and superintendent in the construction industry who has mentored thousands of apprentices worldwide over his 40 years in the industry. He has worked for Botting & Associates since 1993, and is currently field operations supervisor. alberta.ca

MCAC announces 2021/22 executive committee The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) announced its new executive committee and board of directors for 2021/2022 during the association’s virtual annual general Wayne Davidson meeting. Wayne Davidson, president of Burnaby, BC-based Davidson Brothers Mechanical Contractors, has been named president and chair. Davidson is past president and secretary treasurer of the Mechanical Contractors Association of BC. Other members of MCAC’s executive committee are Derek Ermen of Moncton, NB’s Ermen Plumbing and Heating Ltd., president elect, vicepresident eastern and director, New Brunswick; Charles Webb of Anderson Webb in Sarnia, ON, vice president central and Ontario; Brad Mason of Winnipeg, MN-based ServcoCanada, vice president western and Manitoba and Manitoba director; Dave Holek, secretary treasurer; and Tania Johnston, CEO. mcac.ca

THE ONLY CANADIAN WATER HEATER MANUFACTURER Our mission ? Offer safe products, manufactured in Canada, that stand out in the market by their outstanding performance, their sustainability and their components increasingly more environmentally friendly, thus enhancing everyday living.

Find out more now | giantinc.com

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_News 02.22v4.indd 7

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

13

2022-01-23 9:14 AM

02.22

News

www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Skills Canada National Competition returns in 2022

BC contractors must join network to access new rebate

After a two-year hiatus, the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) returns in person, taking place May 25 to 28, 2022 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. More than 300 competitors from across Canada will participate in approximately 35 skilled trade and technology competitions for secondary and post-secondary students and apprentices in six sectors, including construction, manufacturing and engineering.

SCNC Vancouver 2022 is also a qualifying year to compete at WorldSkills Shanghai 2022, and members of WorldSkills Team Canada 2022 will be chosen during a selection event held concurrently during SCNC.

British Columbia is asking eligible retrofit contractors to sign up with the Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) in order to access rebates such as CleanBC Better Homes and the new CleanBC Better Homes' income-qualified offer. The new offer allows qualifying consumers to access rebates of between 60 and 95 per cent of the costs of energy-saving home upgrades, based on household income. HPCN is a database of BC contractors who have met specified trade designation and training qualifications, and who have ongoing review and quality assurance checks. It was developed through collaboration with industry and is currently open to contractors who install windows and doors, HVAC systems and/or insulation, and will be open for general renovation and energy advisors later in 2022. homeperformance.ca

skillscompetencescanada.com

Reimagine your rough-in Return Air Frames

Thermopan

Snap Clamps

Plastic alternative to sheet metal return air frames

Tested and trusted since 1992

Linesets, PVC, PEX and more

Filtered and windowed models keep system clean during rough-in

‘Anywhere you can pan a joist space, you can use our Thermopan.’

UV protected for outdoor use ‘So easy, one person can hang a lineset.’

Our Mechanical Contractor Hub was built for you thermopan.ca 10 14

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_News 02.22v4.indd 8

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-24 9:05 AM

02.22

News Feature

By Carolyn Cooper

www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Quebec phases out residential oil-fired heating The Quebec government has banned the installation of oil-fired heating systems in all new construction projects as of December 31, 2021. In addition, installing an oil furnace or replacing one with a fossil fuel furnace will be prohibited by December 31, 2023. Repairing an oilfuelled heating system more than 20 years old, or an oilfuelled water heater over 10 years old will also be banned.

The province says these measures will help it reach its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heating buildings by 50 per cent by 2030. According to the Montreal Gazette, almost 200,000 households in Quebec use oil-fuelled heating systems.

“We need to electrify our transportation, our buildings, and our businesses,” says Premier François Legault in the report Quebec’s 2030 Plan for a Green Economy: Framework policy on electrification and the fight against climate change. “The resulting benefits will be significant for everyone. Every Quebecer will be saving thousands of dollars. We also need to make better use of energy and exploit the full potential of bioenergies. Along with the

electrification of the economy, energy efficiency and other sources of renewable energy (like green hydrogen) can also generate wealth and productivity for our province.”

Legault says “The complementary nature of Quebec’s electricity and natural gas systems will be a vector for success that will maximize economic benefits while minimizing costs for customers. The government will also focus on the greening of natural gas.”

The report notes, “The partial conversion from natural gas to electricity will be part of a comprehensive, balanced approach that is based on the complementarity of the electrical and gas grids. Fully electrifying heating would not be ideal for Quebec.

It would create a significant peak demand issue at certain times during the winter, when electricity consumption is greatest.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that electricity cannot be the only option for all commercial and institutional buildings because of certain constraints. As a result, the conversion effort will primarily aim to maximize the electrification potential of heating in Quebec, while minimizing costs for customers." quebec.ca

Heating & Cooling and IAQ Made Easy with Hi-Velocity Systems

tm

Superior Indoor Air Quality and Climate Control

3-Stage HEPS In-Duct Air Purification System Filtration, UV-C Purification, Catalytic VOC Reduction

HE-Z Series Zoning Fan Coil 1, 2, 3 or 4 Supply Collars

Small Diameter Flexible Duct

Clean Comfortable Air with no Hot & Cold Spots!

CUBE Series Fan Coils (1-2 Tons)

HE-P Series Fan Coils (10 Tons)

Now Available - Our Smallest and Largest Capacity Fan Coils

Call us today for more information 1-888-652-2219 or visit www.hi-velocity.com M e c h a n i c a l

MB_News 02.22v5.indd 9

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

15

2022-01-28 1:49 PM

02.22

Movers & Shakers www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Mestek acquires Barrie, ON-based Transom Corporation

Marcone purchases Munch’s Supply after company expands reach into Canada Peterborough, ON-based TML Supply has been purchased by Munch’s Supply, expanding Munch’s presence in Canada. The agreement includes TML’s 13 branches in Ontario. Hillside, IL-based Munch’s Supply distributes HVAC and plumbing products, with 64 locations and more than 1,000 employees. Munch’s Supply was recently sold to St. Louis, MO-based Marcone. Marcone has also acquired Professional Plumbing Group (PPG), a distributor of plumbing products for repair and remodel applications. Glen Mills, PA-based PPG designs, manufactures, markets and distributes plumbing products, including its own brands Wolverine Brass, and Speakman. Marcone, which is owned by Genstar Capital, distributes residential appliance parts. The acquisitions support the company’s move into plumbing parts and equipment. tmlsupply.com munchsupply.com

NSI Industries buys Duro Dyne Corp.

NSI Industries LLC has purchased Bay Shore, NY-based Duro Dyne Corp., a sheet metal manufacturer for the HVAC industry. NSI Industries offers electrical product solutions under a variety of brands in more than 25 categories. nsiindustries.com durodyne.com

Hunter Fan Co., a Memphis, TN manufacturer of ceiling fans under the Hunter and Casablanca Fan Company brands, has been bought

by New York-based Griffon Corporation. Griffon is a diversified management and holding company. Under the agreement Hunter Fan will continue to operate as a stand-alone company in the Griffon consumer and professional product division. hunterfan.com

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_News 02.22Movers_Shakersv1.indd 1

B u s i n e s s

mestek.com transomcorporation.com

The Master Group enters U.S. market with VAD acquisition Boucherville, QC-based The Master Group Inc. has entered the U.S. market with its purchase of Value Added Distributors (VAD). Midlothian, VA-based VAD is the parent company of HVAC distributors Virginia Air Distributors, Allied HVAC Distributors and South Carolina Air Distributors, and has approximately 200 employees in six states. master.ca

simPRO expands field service offerings simPRO, a provider of cloud-based software, has acquired Aroflo and Clock Shark. Australia’s AroFlo provides job management software for plumbing, electrical, HVAC and the construction industries. Chico, CA-based Clock Shark offers time-tracking and scheduling software for construction and field services businesses. Brisbane, Australia-based simPro says that “together, the companies support the full lifecycle of a field service organization from sole operator or small business to larger, more complex businesses and franchises.” simprogroup.com/ca

Hunter Fan sold to Griffon Corporation

16

Mestek Canada, Inc. has acquired Barrie, ON-based Transom Corporation. Transom manufactures high lift low ambient heat pumps with domestic hot water capabilities, air- and watercooled chillers, large capacity heat recovery and make-up air units. Mestek Canada, a subsidiary of Westfield, MA-based Mestek, Inc., produces specialty heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems for industrial, commercial, and residential spaces.

Smith Energy now represents Taco Mississauga, ON-based Smith Energy is now representing Taco Comfort Solutions’ commercial products in the Greater Toronto Area. Smith Energy is an Enviroair Industries brand with an additional Kitchener, ON location. smithenergy.com tacocomfortsolutions.com

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-28 8:39 AM

It's time to peek into spring...

and prepare for sump pump season! desco and liberty pumps

have you covered.

RGY ENE ING SAV EL! D MO

experience superior protection built in the u.s.a DESCO BESTSELLER!

efficient motor design reduces electrical usage by up to 40%

IN STOCK AT YOUR LOCAL DESCO DESCO.CA • 416-213-1555

MB Desco jjm.indd 1

2022-01-20 5:21 PM

02.22

People in the news www.mechanicalbusiness.com NEXT Plumbing and Hydronics Supply has named Joe DaCosta as distribution centre manager, leading NEXT Supply’s Vaughan, ON location.

Jeffrey Ranson joins the Building Owners and Managers Association of the Greater Toronto Area team as senior director, energy, environment and advocacy.

Mark Evans has been named senior director of corporate development at Viega LLC. Evans has been with Viega for more than 15 years, most recently as senior director of sales – commercial and industrial verticals (North America).

Julie Storey, president of Boshart Industries, has joined the board of directors of the Water Systems Council (WSC). Storey has long been an active member of the WSC, and fills the seat vacated by Bo Andersson.

Jessica Rukavina has been promoted to district sales manager for Vaughan, ON-based Crane Supply’s business in Toronto.

18

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_News 02.22 Peoplev4.indd 1

1

2

Jeff Amlin (1) has been named regional manager – Eastern Canada, and Randy Stuart (2) will become regional manager – Western Canada, for Viessmann Canada.

The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada has hired Jessica Shaver as its membership engagement coordinator.

Armstrong Fluid Technology has promoted Mike Fischer to commercial director, global building business.

Fischer has more than 30 years of experience in the HVAC/R industry, and was most recently Armstrong’s commercial director for the USA and Latin America.

Justin Laird is now applications engineer for Continental Fan. Based out of the company’s Mississauga, ON location, Laird is responsible for application and technical support to customers, and for seeking new areas of business.

B u s i n e s s

JSA Sales Inc. has hired Matt Hargreaves as outside sales representative and account manager.

He replaces Paul Jones, who retired at the end of 2021.

Emco Corporation has promoted Suellen Ferreira to the position of quotation specialist, located in Vancouver.

1

2

Franklin Electric has made changes to its water systems sales team: Travis Bradley (1) has been promoted to business unit director of industrial and engineered systems, and Andrew Schwarze (2) joins the company as business unit director of groundwater distributors.

Jason Bloedow has been named national director, HVAC, for Burlington, ON-based Wolseley Canada, responsible for growing and developing market share, talent, and innovative business solutions in the HVAC market.

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-27 2:57 PM

Scott Krasman is now regional sales manager at Haven IAQ, representing the company in BC, Alberta and the Pacific Northwest/ Midwest US.

Fiona OliverGlasford has been named president of ClearBlue Markets.

Oliver-Glasford has more than 20 years of experience in the energy and carbon market.

Mississauga, ON-based Desco has announced several employee promotions following structural changes at parent company Groupe Deschênes.

Jon Leeson is vice president - building and mechanical market, Groupe Deschênes. Brian Ruetz (1) has been named vice president and general manager; Melanie PeetWinkfield (2) is now sales manager; Riva Jamil (3) is regional sales manager – GTA and east; Colin Halligan (4) is regional operations manager – GTA and east; and Jermaine Bailey (5) is retail manager leading the Water Closet showroom business.

Burlington, ON-based Aqua-Tech Sales and Marketing Inc. has made changes to its executive management team. Darryl Singleton (1) has been named president, and Chris Neilson (2) has been named vice president, Operations. Singleton has been with Aqua-Tech for 27 years, including as national sales manager, and has more than a decade of strategic development and plan execution.

Neilson has been with the company for 24 years and has been operations manager for the past eight years. In addition, Joe Drago (3) has joined the company as technical sales representative.

Greg Gillespie has been promoted to business development manager (USA) for Oakville, ON-based OS&B.

1

Hired someone lately?

To have your company’s personnel announcements included, free of charge, in an upcoming edition of Mechanical Business, simply send a note and a few details, to kerry.turner@mechanicalbusiness.com.

2

Stay up to Date

3

Visit mechanicalbusiness.com.

GET PUMPED 1

DOUBLE DEEP OILER SYSTEM ™

2

3

4

• Deep metal bucket with metal chip tray, aluminum oil gun and 60" hose • Magnetic splash guard* • Locking lid* • Cutting oil *Optional

5

Reed Manufacturing • Erie, PA USA 800-666-3691 • reedsales@reedmfgco.com www.reedmfgco.com

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_News 02.22 Peoplev5.indd 2

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

19

2022-01-28 9:07 AM

HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC

A NEW GENERATION OF AIR QUALITY SENSING

O

ur industry has excellent sensors and corresponding controls that turn on heating systems when we are likely to feel cold, and turn on cooling systems when we feel hot. But what sensors and controls are available to respond to increasing expectations for better air quality control?

Winter humidity control is just one aspect of air quality optimization.

report on five or six common indoor air quality parameters such as relative humidity, CO2, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter. The early versions were sold to HVAC contractors who were encouraged to deploy them temporarily in clients’ homes to help diagnose concerns or create awareness.

When I joined a heat recovery ventilation manufacturer in 1984, the primary objective of ventilation was to control excess indoor humidity during cold Canadian winters. Winter humidity control, of course, is just one aspect of air quality optimization. There are a range of potential indoor air pollutant sources from the occupants and their activities themselves, as well as from building materials, finishes and furnishings. It is definitely time for a more comprehensive approach.

Until recently it has been common to identify a specific sensing technology to respond to a specific pollutant source and control a particular device to mitigate or optimize the air quality impact.

For instance, in commercial and institutional buildings, sensing carbon dioxide (CO2) levels is a good indicator of the ventilation needs created by the pollutants from the occupants. The latest generation of CO2 sensor technology links to the controls of variable speed fresh air fan motors or dampers to create a demand-controlled ventilation strategy; a very specific sensor to control a specific device. However, I have been encouraged to see in just the last two to three years a move towards a more comprehensive or integrated approach to indoor air quality (IAQ) control.

There has been a proliferation of monitors aimed at the residential market that are able to sense and

Gord Cooke

20

Cook02.22v2.indd 30

M e c h a n i c a l

More recently, table-top versions or even in-duct sensors have become available online that allow homeowners to monitor air quality on their own. There are valid questions around this approach and about the workings of specific devices. The accuracy, repeatability and resiliency of the sensors being used is often difficult to validate. As an example, CO2 sensors have historically required regular calibration, at least once per year.

I found calibration information ranged significantly from some of the commonly available air quality monitors that include CO2 sensing.

One manufacturer recommended “frequent manual recalibration by putting the monitor outside in fresh air for 15 minutes or more.” Another manufacturer’s literature describes an automatic calibration logic whereby the sensor logic corrects itself by looking for the lowest CO2 readings over a 15-day period and equating those to normal outdoor levels that are typically known to be 400 to 450 parts per million (PPM) and adjusting calibration accordingly.

The most significant shortcoming of most of the early broadband air quality monitors, however, is that until now they couldn’t do much other than signal or alarm occupants that one or more of a number of air quality parameters had gone outside of an acceptable range. This left homeowners with questions as to how important or urgent the drift out of an acceptable range was and what they could do to correct the issue. I am sure a number of readers have gotten that call from customers.

Monitoring systems up the ante Very recently, two ventilation companies have introduced IAQ monitoring systems that can be linked directly to compatible ventilation and humidity control devices or to “smart plugs” that could indirectly turn on portable filtration or other air quality improvement devices. Both of these systems include multi-sensor, multiroom capabilities that can be monitored remotely on multiple devices and linked to multiple devices throughout a home or office.

The challenging goal is to match the sensing of an air quality parameter that is outside of an acceptable range with the activation of an appropriate air quality control device. There are some rather obvious events such as a humidity increase

Gord is a professional engineer who has spent 35 years helping builders and HVAC contractors implement innovative technologies into high-performance homes. He has particular expertise in IAQ and airflow management in houses, and can be contacted at gordc@buildingknowledge.ca.

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-27 3:17 PM

DAIKIN ATMOSPHERA — DAIKIN’S FIRST R-32 SINGLE ZONE SYSTEM IN NORTH AMERICA As the only manufacturer of both HVACR equipment and refrigerants, Daikin’s dedication to next-generation solutions encompasses design, technology, comfort, and performance while also taking environmental impact into consideration with R-32, a refrigerant with lower Global Warming Potential than R-410A. With the new Daikin ATMOSPHERA, begin to discover the next generation of Daikin HVAC systems using R-32 refrigerant. » Energy Efficient – Up to 27.4 SEER | Up to 13.8 HSPF | Up to 16.3 EER » Enhanced Capacity – Up to 100% rated cooling capacity at 115°F (46°C) – Up to 100% rated heating capacity at 5°F WB (-15°C WB) and confirmed continuous operation as low as -13°F WB (-25°C WB) ambient temperature. » Noteworthy Features – Built-in Wi-Fi – CLEAN function – Hybrid Cooling

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Before purchasing this appliance, read important information about its estimated annual energy consumption, yearly operating cost, or energy efficiency rating that is available from your retailer.

2022

MB Daikinjjm.indd 1

DISCOVER MORE AT: DAIKINATMOSPHERA.COM

2022-01-12 4:21 PM

HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC

Cont’d from pg. 20

Systems today include multisensor, multi-room capabilities. in a bathroom triggering the bathroom fan to turn on or a fully-ducted HRV to go to high speed. Indeed, this discreet technology already exists.

However, a broad-band sensor in the bathroom that measured VOCs could also trigger the ventilation response if someone was applying hair sprays or other personal hygiene products.

A sensor in the kitchen for VOCs and CO2, or even CO could respond to troublesome pollutants from a gas range and turn the range hood to high speed.

It could be argued that knowledgeable homeowners have been doing this intuitively and manually for years. However, using sensors does take away some of the guesswork of optimizing air quality versus energy efficiency. Moreover, there may be less obvious circumstances to address. Recall that CO2 is a good indicator of appropriate ventilation levels for occupants. A CO2 sensor in a master bedroom that ensures the whole house fresh air system, the heat-recovery ventilator (HRV) or energy recovery ventilator (ERV), operates appropriately to empower a healthy night’s sleep adds value to the system. I have found that some HVAC contractors still think whole house ventilation systems may not be warranted in older homes. These integrated air quality control systems should help validate the efficacy of a wider range of air quality devices.

22

Cook02.22v2.indd 32

M e c h a n i c a l

Ventilation alone couldn’t be expected to resolve or reduce levels, indeed on certain days it could make it worse. Imagine the wood smoke from wildfires, or smoggy days in an inner city. Even activating a furnace fan might be counter-productive if the central filtration system is not optimized for fine dust; it would require at least a MERV 13 filter to remove up to 85 per cent or particles smaller than 2.5 microns.

This is an excellent opportunity for mechanical contractors with this new resource of an integrated air quality sensor/control system. The appropriate technology can be selected and programmed into the control response. For instance, if an ERV system with HEPA filtration of the fresh air is part of the mechanical system for a home, then that device could be selected when one or more air quality sensors in the system calls for a reduction in fine particulate matter.

The ERV could also be included or considered in humidity control responses in a home, knowing that an ERV does a better job of retaining humidity in the winter and minimizing outdoor humidity in the summer. I see great possibilities even if it’s just to finally resolve and integrate the multiple devices currently in homes that affect relative humidity levels. It is well known that indoor humidity levels of 35 to 45 per cent in winter and 50 to 60 per cent in summer are optimal for human health and comfort.

We have humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, ERVs and HRVs that can impact humidity levels, each with their own controls with widely variable sensor technology. These often show different readings from each other. A whole home air quality monitoring and control system may well be able to resolve this specific critical humidity control objective.

These systems warrant interest by professional contractors, builders and even manufacturers. I envision an expanding network of devices from a variety of manufacturers having communication compatibility to these types of sensors and even new homes with more discreet sensors hard wired into critical rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms.

Achieving desirable air quality has never been possible with one technology or device and contractors should be excited to see that the industry is on the verge of collating a whole solution system to address the ever-increasing expectations of their clients.

Photo: Broan-NuTone

Photo: Panasonic

The appeal of an integrated system

Fully-automated fresh air systems use sophisticated sensor technology to monitor IAQ.

The best sensing solution At present, the integrated systems mentioned here are offered by ventilation companies. There is a need to engage with humidification and dehumidification equipment manufacturers, central and in-room filtration devices, and ultimately even radon mitigation equipment to complete the overall air quality control solution. The systems I have seen already include smart plugs that can be installed in normal electrical outlets that do accommodate more than ventilation-based solutions.

I see great value in plugging in a portable HEPA filtration system in an asthmatic child’s bedroom that could be triggered by high fine particulate matter levels in that specific room rather than trying to rely on a media filter installed in the central furnace system to control airborne dust. Fine dust particles are a specific area of concern to leading air quality researchers. Specifically PM2.5 levels, the count of particles that are 2.5 microns in diameter or less, are of concern because those particles can travel deeply into our respiratory tract and affect lung function and worsen medical conditions such as asthma. Sensing PM2.5 levels, specifically in rooms where people spend extended periods of time, is intriguing and useful.

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-27 3:22 PM

Comfort your customers with Clean Comfort

®

whole-home humidification systems.

* OUTSTANDING LIMITED WARRANTY PROTECTION

5 YEAR PARTS ARTS

LIMITED ED WARRANTY* Y*

HE12M2C

HE17A2C

HE18FA2 * Complete warranty details available from your local dealer or at www.cleancomfort.com.

Quality and efficiency

Offer your customers a new standard of home humidification with advanced design, patented features and easy ® installation. Plus, the Clean Comfort bypass and evaporative humidifiers deliver quality at a competitive price, providing an easy way to expand your humidification offerings – and profits, too.

Clean Comfort components can be installed on virtually any brand of HVAC equipment in any home or installation.

Clean Comfort products are available at Goodman Distribution Centers and participating Independent distributors.**

Look for the full line of Clean Comfort Indoor Air Essentials.

www.cleancomfort.com **Select models are not available in Quebec.

Our continuing commitment to quality products may mean a change in specifications without notice. © 2022 Goodman Manufacturing Company, L.P.

www.goodmanmfg.com

MB Goodnmanjjm.indd 1

Goodman Company Canada – Markham Hub 1200 Rodick Rd, Markham, ON L3R 8C3 Toll free number: 1-866-605-1894

2022-01-07 7:09 PM

REFRIGERATION

CONTROLLING DISCHARGE AND LIQUID PRESSURE AT LOW HEAT SINK TEMPERATURES – PART II

I

n Part I of this two-part series in the November/December 2021 issue, we discussed the condensate or liquid drop leg regulation method. In this article, we will cover the discharge gas regulation method.

Discharge Gas Regulation As the name implies, the discharge regulation method involves the use of a regulator in the discharge line between the compressor and the condenser. Like the condensate regulator, the discharge regulator used in the discharge gas regulation method is an inlet regulator. One can think of this pressure regulator as a hold-back regulator since it works to maintain a certain upstream pressure.

One potential advantage of this method over the condensate drain regulation method is that the pressure regulator setting is reached very quickly on compressor start-up. With the condensate drain method, the process of building pressure tends to take longer, particularly when the air-cooled condenser is subject to low ambient temperatures. The discharge gas regulation method can be very useful for starting up cold systems. Also, during operation, the discharge gas regulation method is often preferred in systems using heat reclaim, hot gas defrost/ice harvest, and so on. Since this regulator is installed in the discharge line, and must regulate hot gas instead of liquid, it will need to have a larger pipe connection and port size than if a condensate regulator was used.

On system start-up the regulator modulates to maintain at least the minimum set point pressure and the discharge pressure upstream from the valve increases rapidly.

In the meantime, the pressure will begin to climb. The rate of

Phil Boudreau

24

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_Phil Boudreau02.22v1.indd 1

Discharge Regulation Method pressure increase within the condenser will typically lag the discharge pressure as the vapour entering the condenser experiences desuperheating, condensing and then subcooling. As the system warms up, liquid refrigerant will accumulate in the condenser, effectively reducing its available heat transfer surface. Since the amount of refrigerant leaving the condenser is somewhat limited, the receiver pressure may be too low to provide the differential pressure required by the expansion valves. It is also important to keep in mind that as the liquid is flooding the condenser, the expansion valves are also trying to feed liquid from the liquid line to the evaporator. This also contributes to the lowering of the liquid level and pressure in the receiver.

In the condensate regulation method, we discussed how a bypass regulator installed between the compressor discharge line and the receiver inlet, works to maintain a desired receiver pressure. The discharge gas regulation employs this bypass or receiver regulator in the same manner. In fact, for a given system design and load, both methods would use the same regulator size. This regulator is an outlet regulator, so it is always sensing its downstream or receiver pressure. The receiver pressure

Phil provides sales and application support for Bitzer Canada Inc. and provides training and technical support for Bitzer’s clientele. He can be contacted at pboudreau@bitzer.ca.

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-28 3:10 PM

Canadian refillable cylinders available

Make the Switch to Solstice® N40

Solstice N40 (R-448A) offers 5-10% lower energy consumption, a 68% reduction in global-warming-potential and lower environmental impact on the planet. Solstice N40 is approved for use by all major compressor and component manufacturers, and is a near-drop-in replacement for R-404A, allowing for easier installations and conversions. Talk to us today to find out more.

For more information visit: https:www.honeywell-refrigerants.com or Call 800-631-8138

© 2019 Honeywell International. All Rights Reserved.

1723 Solstice N40 Print Ad-MechanicBus.indd 1 MB Honeywelljjm04.19.indd 1

3/11/2019 4:38:32 PM 2021-07-05 9:49 AM

REFRIGERATION regulator will generally be set to the minimum pressure required at the inlet to the expansion valve, plus any additional pressure drop that exists between the receiver outlet and the expansion valve inlet.

The discharge regulator then must be set to a higher pressure so that hot gas can flow into the receiver when needed. In addition to the minimum pressure required at the expansion valve inlet, it is also very important to ensure that the discharge pressure is not permitted to drop below the minimum required by the compressor manufacturer.

Cont’d from pg. 24

The Condenser Split Method Condenser splitting is another commonly-used head-pressure control method, particularly in parallel rack applications.

Note that this method is typically used with both the fan cycling or VFD methods, along with the flooding methods previously described.

To “split” the condenser means to isolate one Condenser splitting is a commonly-used head-pressure or more sections of the control method, particularly in parallel rack applications. condenser and then pump these sections out during colder weather. The refrigerant that is pumped out of the condenser will end up in the receiver. This is because the expansion valves will only take the amount of refrigerant they need and the remaining refrigerant will be held back at the receiver. The split method reduces the total refrigerant charge required in the system.

A typical temperature at which the split mode of operation is initiated is 10°C or 50°F. So once the outdoor temperature drops to 50°F, a valve in the discharge line feeding the portion of the

Hospital-Grade AIR PURIFICATION

3 Stages of Mechanical NQ500

Filtration

The Height of Air Purification Systems

Ultraviolet

HIGHER CFM OPTIONS AVAILABLE!

THE CHOICE IS CLEAR Rising prices and unstable supply. That’s the future of R-22.

But it doesn’t have to be your future.

Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI)

With Weather Series Rooftop Units featuring EcoBlue™ Technology, Carrier is proving that not all rooftops are created equal.

RS-70 is readily available, stably sourced and has the lowest GWP of all R-22 drop-ins. It is suitable for low, medium and high temperature applications in refrigeration and AC systems, and requires no oil change or system modifications.

Talk to us today.

For more information, please contact: Greg Banasik

1-866-999-COLD

www.rscool.com Refrigerant Services Inc.

10 26

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_Phil Boudreau02.22v1.indd 2

B u s i n e s s

Commercial Account Manager at Carrier Enterprise Canada, L.P.

289-544-9723 | greg.banasik@carrierenterprise.com

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-24 9:21 AM

condenser to be isolated closes. Since we also need to pump this portion of the condenser out, we will need a connection from this section of the condenser to the main suction header on the rack. We need a solenoid to open in this small 3/8 in.

O.D. or so pump-down line when the ambient temperature drops to 50°F. In addition to the solenoid, some form of pressure-reducing device is needed. This can either be an orifice, or even better, a small thermostatic expansion valve. The expansion valve will allow the refrigerant to be superheated prior to reaching the suction header as it absorbs heat from the surrounds. Note that a check valve is also needed in the condensate line of the isolated section of the condenser, so we don’t draw refrigerant up from the receiver when the pump-out solenoid is open.

In addition to pumping out a section of the condenser, the fans that serve that section are taken offline.

During the warmer months when the ambient temperature is above 50°F, the pump-out solenoid is closed and the discharge solenoid feeding the winter-only portion of the condenser is opened to allow full use of the condenser. As this condenser section fills back up with refrigerant, the liquid level in the receiver will decrease.

Note that it is important to equalize the pressure drops through the two sections of the condenser during the summer

Discharge Gas Regulation In some applications, more than one section of the system is isolated. This can be accomplished by using multiple valves.

This further reduces the refrigerant charge requirement for the system. Instead of using solenoids, actuator-driven ball valves are also used. The actuator positions are set by the system controller as needed.

Actuator-driven ball valves allow for more than one section of the system to be isolated.

mode. This is to equalize the pressures, refrigerant quantity and subcooling in each section. Similarly, it is good to install a check valve in the opposite section of the condenser to equalize these pressures and flows.

Tomorrow’s refrigeration, today.

Sustainability is not about off-grid or huge solar/wind fields that apply to the few. It’s about reducing the impact of every component used by the many.

Make Oxford Energy’s OLPP™ solar kit the next step in your customer’s corporate stewardship journey. With plug-and-play simplicity, it can be added to any system easily and efficiently. The solar option ties into the main power supply of each unit and automatically ‘sheds’ power as it harnesses free energy from the sun.

OLPP solar is ready as an off-the-shelf option for any system, or to enhance the efficiency of any Oxford Refrigeration system already in the field.

Call us today to find out more.

519-532-6373 • oxfordenergy.ca

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_Phil Boudreau02.22v1.indd 3

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

27

2022-01-27 9:04 AM

COVER STORY

By Kerry Turner

Riskin’s first book, Mother Nature is Trying to Kill You, was a Canadian best-seller. In 2018, it was made into an award-winning documentary on the Canadian Discovery Channel.

Dan Riskin:

Photo: Vanessa Heins; Bat and inset photo: courtesy CTV News-W5

G O I N G T O B AT F O R S C I E N C E

28

There is a knack to paring down a scientific topic while still informing and engaging an audience and our very own Canadian science guy Dan Riskin has nailed it. Sought after by Canadian media, the scientist and journalist takes his role as science advocate very seriously, particularly with COVID-19 in the mix.

“As I move forward, it’s given me a lot to think about just what my role is, and how I can be useful. I still do as much science communication as I can, but at the root of it I believe building trust in scientists is a way of making everybody safer and making everything work better. If people know that scientists are moms and dads who love their kids, that they’re trying to save their own families and their communities, and that they care deeply about making the world a better place, that really helps build trust in science. People will be encouraged to get vaccinated when they have the opportunity, because they trust the scientists who make those vaccines.”

M e c h a n i c a l

MB Celeb feature 02.22v4.indd 1

B u s i n e s s

Riskin has plenty of opportunities to get the message out there. In addition to being CTV News’ science and technology specialist, he has done countless radio interviews. It was an interview with Newstalk 1010 that launched him as a pandemic commentator.

“I remember my first interview with John Moore, the morning anchor on Newstalk 1010. I had a conversation with him in December of 2019, about this strange disease, this pneumonia that was showing up in China. I remember saying at the time, either this is not a big deal, or it’s a very, very, very big deal. And it turned out to be a big deal.

But because of that, I sort of jumped into this role of talking mostly about the pandemic and helping people stay informed and know what advice to follow and things like that. That was really not something that I’ve anticipated as part of my career trajectory by any stretch.”

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-28 2:00 PM

important piece of the solution to preventing, not necessarily COVID-19, but the next pandemic that might come from that.”

Opportunistic viruses Riskin’s expertise in bats, interest in ecosystems and role as pandemic spokesperson have led him to conclude that protecting habitats is key to preventing outbreaks.

“In a way, you could say bats are responsible for this. But that’s not really fair. Bats have their own diseases. In fact, people who study bats and study diseases that jump from animals to people, have been saying for a long time that when you have environmental degradation, when you have loss of habitat, it forces the animals that were living in a rainforest somewhere to suddenly come and live in close contact with people.

In W5’s The Host, Dan Riskin speaks to two scientists who are studying how bats can live with coronaviruses in their bodies with no negative side effects.

“What you end up with is more opportunities for a virus to make the jump. People have been saying, you’ve got to protect bats in their habitat. Because if you don’t, there are diseases these bats have that are going to jump to people.

And lo and behold, the disease jumps from bats to people.

That is a reflection of the fact that we have just really eroded their natural habitats. It’s weird to say, and seems counterintuitive, but the solution to preventing outbreaks like this, and new diseases, is to protect the animals and their habitats, to save wild places. Conservation is a really

He credits people working behind the scenes with advancing conservation and battling climate change; from policy makers to regulators, to those on the front lines who later implement those changes.

“I think that the people who are implementing those changes of policy are the unsung heroes for climate change.” Riskin notes that this effort includes the person who comes to replace a furnace with a more energy-efficient technology.

Riskin adds that as attention turned to indoor environments during the pandemic, the importance of ventilation and indoor air quality became apparent. “We have these indoor environments and we don’t realize that we’re biological organisms. Oh, I’m kind of cold I’ll just turn up the heat − you don’t think about the fact that you’re an animal living in an environment that is kind of tough. All of a sudden, the people who make those internal environments possible are getting some recognition.”

Riskin’s wheelhouse is how bats crawl on the ground, and how bats fly in the air.

Gross, hilarious stuff

Riskin’s career has included co-hosting Discovery Canada’s Daily Planet, and Animal Planet’s Monsters Inside Me, writing a best-selling book, leading wildlife tours, and researching biomechanics, primarily using bats as a system for his research. His interest in bats, and science in general, was spurred by “gross, hilarious stuff.”

“I was in a class in high school where the teacher made us read a book for 20 minutes every day. I did not want to read a book for 20 minutes every day. I was complaining about this to my mom and we were at the museum together in Edmonton. We went into the bookstore, and she said ‘You pick any book that you think will be interesting and then you’ll have something to read in school.’ I looked around on the shelves and this book had a picture of a bat on the front − I never thought about bats in my life. I thought: I’ll get this one, maybe it’ll be gross.

“I read the book when I was in high school and the facts in there, the way it was written, it was just all vulgar and disgusting. You know, animals having sex, animal genitals, poop stories, stories about people getting covered in poop, just gross, hilarious stuff. I just remember reading it and thinking whoa, this is like a whole hidden world that I kind of dig. It was like I’d discovered something that nobody else knew about.

I felt like I was pulling one over on my teacher because if I read this, it’s stuff which he would never want me to talk about, but here it is in a science book so it’s legitimate.”

M e c h a n i c a l

MB Celeb feature 02.22v4.indd 2

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

29

2022-01-27 3:29 PM

SPIROVENT®

Spirovent — Unequaled in Quality and Performance Faster Installs. Eliminate Callbacks. Maximize Profits.

Industry-leading 20 year guarantee

Don’t compromise on performance or method of installation.

The industry leading air eliminators are available with threaded, sweat and press connections.

SPIROVENT Eliminates 100% of the free air, 100% of the entrained air, and up to 99.6% of the dissolved air in the system

SPIROCOMBI Combination unit removes entrained air, dirt and ferrous material using powerful magnets Protects pumps, valves, boilers and heat exchangers from dirt and debris

SPIROVENT QUAD Combines the advantages of the Spirovent and Spirocombi with the functionality of a hydraulic separator

For information and availability:

SPIROTHERM

12 Leswyn Road,Toronto, Ontario M6A 1K3 Tel: (416) 781-5286 Fax: (416) 781-7680 E-mail: info@ontor.com Orders: orderdesk@ontor.com Covering Canada Coast-to-Coast www.ontor.com

MB SPIROTHERMjjm.indd 1

2021-07-05 9:38 AM

A P P L I C A T I O N S

|

T E C H N O L O G I E S FEBRUARY 2022

AARON GALLANT:

ALWAYS AN ISLANDER • • REAP THE BENEFITS OF CLOUD CONNECTIVITY • INTEGRATING SNOWMELT WITH BAS • HYDRONIC PRODUCT SHOWCASE • JOBSITE JARGON WITH A HYDRONIC TWIST • EIGHT MAJOR REVISIONS TO LOOK FOR IN CSA B214 • ALL ABOUT ACTUATORS

DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST FOR THE FIELD

A sopping wet supplement of Mechanical Business Wetheat Cover0222v1.indd 1

www.mechanicalbusiness.com

2022-01-23 10:41 AM

MB TACOjjm.indd 1

2021-07-09 9:35 AM

CONTENTS A P P L I C A T I O N S

|

su p p l e me n t

T E C H N O L O G I E S

44

38

34 FEATURES

34

0 2 .2 2

CONTROLS: ALL ABOUT ACTUATORS We are surrounded by actuators in our everyday life. In this article we will look at actuators used in hydronic and HVAC applications.

Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr

52 OTHER

FEATURES

38CONTROLS Integrating snowmelt with BAS Cleber Alves

48PUMPS Cloud connectivity and the resulting benefits Justine Mendoza and Steffen Werner

44

TROUBLESHOOTING: DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST FOR THE FIELD When you are working in the field it is handy to have some basic “go-to” diagnostic strategies, particularly for recurring problems.

Ray Wohlfarth

54STANDARDS Seminar highlights updates to hydronic installation code Carolyn Cooper

DE PAR TME NTS

52

ROAD WARRIOR: ALWAYS AN ISLANDER Aaron Gallant of Water Tight Plumbing & Heating Inc. says his favourite projects involve working in a boiler room, which he attributes to his first employer.

Carolyn Cooper

40-42PRODUCTS A showcase of hydronic technology.

56JOBSITE JARGON Match the correct definition or meaning to the terminology you hear in the field and enter for your chance to win a Visa gift card.

Cover Photo Credit: Louise Vessey, Light & Vision Photography

MB_What contents02.22V1.indd 1

2022-01-27 3:40 PM

CONTROLS

By Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr

All about actuators W

e are surrounded by actuators in our everyday life. In your home, the trip lever on your toilet is one of the simplest examples, a hand-operated lever. In your vehicle, you may have power seat adjustment carried out by an actuator.

Actuators are everywhere in factories with machine tools and robotics. This article discusses actuators that are used in hydronic and HVAC applications.

A definition may be as simple as: The actuator is a device which causes a valve or damper to operate.

We hear the word actuator most commonly used to describe the electro-mechanical device found on hydronic manifolds. This thermal type of actuator receives 24Vac power, which in turn moves a valve mechanism. Inside this type of actuator is a “heat motor” mechanism. This motor is comprised of a wax substance that expands and contracts as electrical current is applied or removed.

Of course, I had to cut one of these copper capsules open. Inside I found a mixture of wax and copper particles for quick and accurate heat transfer. The actuators job is to enable flow through a piping circuit. It takes its orders from a room thermostat, for example. A thermal zone actuator is the term used to describe this type of actuator.

Another common use for an actuator is to operate a spring return type of zone valve, a ZV. In this application, when power is applied, a small synchros motor rotates to open a flapper and allow flow. Spring tension closes the valve when power is removed. This is considered normally closed, or an N.C., as it takes power to actuate or open.

Keep in mind these spring return valve actuators are also available in a normally open style, or an N.O. This would indicate that the valve requires power to shut off or close. Some engineers and designers prefer N.O. valves as they will be open in the event of a power loss in the building. This could help prevent a freeze up or allow some thermosiphoning of heat energy in a no-power condition.

Also, you’ll find them on wood-fired boilers to allow for an over-heat zone to open in the event of a power outage.

34

W E T

MB_Hot Rod_02.22v3.indd 46

H E A T

Alert: N.C. and N.O. valves occasionally get mixed up, or mislabeled in the manufacturing and distribution chain, so always check both the box and actual actuator. It can be a real head scratcher troubleshooting the inadvertent crossing of these two types of actuators.

Worth noting: In HVAC forced air systems an actuator can be attached to a damper in the ducting. This would allow for the system to be “zoned” and more closely regulated to individual space or room loads requirements. You may have come across HVAC systems that use pneumatic actuators. Several HVAC manufacturers supply this type of control. Clean, dry, oil-free air pressure supplied by small diameter copper or plastic tube is required to activate pneumatic valves and dampers.

The actuator is just one part of an assembly. Both the actuator and the valve or component it connects to can be engineered from a very basic to a more precise component with near perfect control and authority.

If you are actually assigned or accustomed to acquiring all available arrangements of automatic actuators, adopt an attitude of authority and apply your aptitude.

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-23 11:18 AM

MB Veissmannjjm.indd 1

2022-01-12 4:20 PM

CONTROLS

Cont’d from pg. 34

There are many types and brands of actuators available, be sure to consult with the manufacturer when you shop for actuators.

Specifications such as voltage, operating time, stroke length, torque rating, and type of enclosure are some of the considerations.

Intelligent and sophisticated Whether it is mounted horizontal or vertical, the linear actuator delivers a linear push or pull motion providing reliable and efficient performance for a number of applications, including manifolds and when retrofitting a system. Linear actuators offer simple installation, costeffective operation and flexible commissioning options.

Actuators can be attached to many ball-type valves. This turns a manually-operated valve into a valve that can be automatically operated. Look for mounting tabs on the valve body to connect the actuator. Generally speaking, a ball valve actuator will require power to open and close.

There are manifolds that use linear type actuators. A similar type actuator is used on vending machines to drop your selection. This is a cool and unique approach to zone valve operation.

Simple but precise Thermostatic radiator valves, TRVs, are another common example of an actuator activated valve. This is an actuator that does not require electricity or compressed air to function. A wax capsule similar to the thermal zone actuator allows the ambient air temperature surrounding the valve to operate. This is a fairly simple but also precise way to control flow.

Thermostatic actuator

TRVs are basically non-electric, modulating control devices, thermal actuators, if you will. They are also a proportional modulating valve. As the ambient temperature around the valve changes, so does the opening passage of the valve. It is a great valve for retrofitting, as it does not require wiring to the various valve locations. I feel it is an under-utilized product in the North American market.

In most cases the actuator is a separate component on a valve, easily removed for service or replacement.

36

W E T

MB_Hot Rod_02.22v4.indd 48

H E A T

Over the years, we have learned to build some intelligence into controls that drive actuators.

These controls make it possible to modulate valve opening based on a signal from the control that give you more precise control of the piping or damper.

Photo Caleffi

Photo Belimo

Coil kits go well beyond the Taking the actuator common on/off function. yet another step forward, actuators can go well beyond the common on/off function. Products exist that can enable the flow, modulate the flow, have balancing characteristics, a bypass, purge and a strainer protection in one component. These are sometimes sold as coil kits.

They can be used for quick and easy installation of heat and cool fan coils. These kits are sometimes supplied by the fan coil manufacturer. They are sized and configured for an engineered design application and are common on multiunit projects.

Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr has been a plumbing, radiant heat and solar contractor and installer for 30 years. A long-time columnist and trainer, he is manager of training and education with Caleffi North America. You can reach Hot Rod at bob.rohr@caleffi.com.

SEE THE HYDRONIC PRODUCT SHOWCASE ON PG. 40

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-27 3:44 PM

COMMERCIAL POWERHOUSE

LAARS® MagnaTherm® FT Condensing Boiler All Laars products are Built to be the Best® with outstanding quality, performance and efficiency.

Laars MagnaTherm® FT is built to deliver optimal boiler performance for your commercial customers. It features: • Tru Trac® Real-Time O2 Trim for optimized efficiency throughout the turndown range.

• CF-TechTM contoured-flue fire-tube heat exchanger design for long life.

• Laars Linc® powerful touchscreen control with the intelligence to manage installations from simple to complex.

• Outstanding 95% thermal efficiency.

• Small vertical design, ideal footprint for tight mechanical rooms.

Discover optimal boiler performance today.

Visit laars.com/magnatherm-ft ©2022, LAARS Heating Systems. All rights reserved. LRSMBUS0222

MB Laarsjjm.indd 1

2022-01-18 11:37 AM

CONTROLS

Cleber Alves is a product manager with tekmar.

By Cleber Alves

Integrating snowmelt with BAS Once upon a time, commercial snowmelt systems operated independently, with little concern for the larger mechanical environment they were often a part of.

Typically, a boiler provided heat and a smart tubing layout, properly circulated, offered thermal distribution. As if by magic, midwinter precipitation gently melted away from parking lots, walkways, ramps and driveways.

All good things change, and occasionally for the better. As for modern snowmelt systems, their renaissance has come in the way of improved and more sophisticated controls.

Now, snowmelt systems can integrate with building automation systems (BAS).

It only makes sense that snowmelt systems would eventually cross that bridge. Getting there, however, wasn’t without its challenges.

BAS networks, by design, are largely “inclusive.” Their purpose is to integrate, control and monitor as many of a building’s key functions as possible, including heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, and other important operations.

Yet, because snowmelt systems operate outside a building, and are exposed to ambient conditions outside the envelope with conditions that change quickly, they often require far more than simple on/off functionality, and BAS systems are challenged by their limitations. The key frustration expressed by design engineers, installers and building owners alike is that the ever-changing nature of outside, ambient conditions defies the constraints of most automated controls.

For this reason, anyone attempting to tie commercial snowmelt function with a BAS confronted a giant hurdle.

Fortunately, those impediments may now be things of the past.

38

W E T

H E A T

MB_WETHEATSnowmelt02.22v2.indd 52

The ability to interface snow and ice sensors directly with any BACnet controller creates more efficient snow melting systems for facility and building owners.

The nature of the beast For the longest time, achieving proper connection to and communication between snowmelt controls and a BAS was the seemingly impossible task. The two key parts of that puzzle were sensors didn’t want to communicate digitally with the BAS, and controls were mostly incapable of anything more than on-off operation. Maintaining idle operation, controlling gradual increases in temperature, or measured deactivation were the key challenges.

After all, if snowmelt system deactivation happens too soon, winter accumulations may pile up, or snow may melt prematurely, turning into treacherous ice. Or, if a system demands too much heat, or stays on too long, it punishes the building owner with unexpected operational costs.

For many years, there were reverse-engineered attempts to connect snow and ice sensors with building automation systems. More recently, technology has been developed to meet this challenge. This technology helps connect these two previously disconnected functions by receiving input data and sending information from sophisticated sensors directly to the building automation system, which ultimately tells the snow melting system to turn on or off.

A snow and ice sensor interface communicates directly with a BAS controller through BACnet MS/TP protocol, letting the BAS know to engage the on and off function of a snowmelt system when the outside sensors detect snow or ice. This technology has turned a traditionally inefficient process into a smart and truly automated system.

Having the ability to interface snow and ice sensors directly with any BACnet controller, as shown in Figure 1, is not only creating more efficient snow melting systems for facility and building owners, it’s making it easier for contractors to have a simple, standard solution that can be easily applied to any snowmelt job – without custom coding or complex installation.

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-23 5:45 PM

Q&A from the pros

As is often the case – and especially when new technology is introduced – questions arise. Here are some common questions from professionals in the field: What happens if ambient conditions are too cold, or too warm?

Interface features such as warm weather shut down (WWSD) and cold weather cut off (CWCO) are particularly useful in ensuring the snow melting system is only running when needed. For instance, with CWCO, when outdoor air temperature is too cold (below CWCO setting), the BAS heat source is not able to increase the slab temperature to melt snow or ice. Features like this create critical efficiencies and save loads of energy.

With the right technology in place, the interface sends a signal to the BAS to turn off the snow melting system. Once the outdoor air temperature increases above the CWCO temperature setpoint, the interface will communicate to the BAS to turn on the system and resume its operation.

Of course, if conditions are too warm for the formation of snow or ice, the systems will use the opposite logic (WWSD) and tells the BAS to deactivate the system.

What types of alert functions are available to building managers?

Ideally, a snow and ice sensor interface will use error codes to signal the BAS controller if there are operational problems with the sensors. This allows the BAS to have feedback on the system and determine if any action needs to be taken.

Can contractors use the BACnet sensor interface with any snowmelt application controlled by BAS controllers?

Here, too – a versatile snow and ice sensor interface should be compatible with any snowmelt system application.

After all, BAS controllers use BACnet MS/TP protocol for communication. The technology should be capable across many types of installations, such as snowmelt applications with a simple dedicated boiler, or more complex multi-boiler plants with multiple zones and mixing valves. And, the right technology should be BTL certified.

Why is it important to control the slab temperature?

Controlling slab temperature is crucial to have an efficient snowmelt system. If the slab temperature is too low, the snow will not melt off. If the temperature is too high, the slab could be damaged and will waste a lot of energy.

Despite its simplicity, connecting a snow and ice sensor interface to a BAS should incorporate many functions, also known as objects (see bullets below).

The list of data objects shared with the BAS controller ideally includes:

• Snow or ice has been detected • Snow or ice has not been detected • Outdoor air temperature • Slab temperature • Slab target temperature

• Snow/ice sensor sensitivity • Warm weather shut down (WWSD) • Cold weather cut off (CWCO) • Error codes

Figure 1 Snow and ice sensors connect to BACnet controller

Sensor Interface

W E T

MB_WETHEATSnowmelt02.22v2.indd 53

H E A T

0 2 . 2 2

39

2022-01-23 5:48 PM

HYDRONIC PRODUCTS Pipe sensors Belimo’s 01HT and 22HT temperature sensors are surfacemounted, strap-on pipe sensors that incorporate a spring-loaded brass contact to ensure fast response and accurate hydronic temperature readings. The NEMA 4X (IP 65) uniform enclosure allows for easy installation and reliability. The 01ST surfacemounted pipe temperature sensor offers a two-in. brass probe arched surface for a quick response and has a plenumrated cable. Both models include an adjustable pipe clamp.

Heat pumps

www. belimo.ca

Auto-balancing system Viega’s radiant auto-balancing system (RABS) allows users to independently control each zone in the system. RABS analyzes supply water temperature, each circuit’s return temperature, and zone air temperatures where a wireless thermostat is used.

The system also compensates for different circuit lengths or tube sizes, varying installation clearances or tube depths/spacing, change of floor coverings, and fluctuating supply temperatures, outdoor temperatures or external heat sources.

SpacePak’s newest air-to-water heat pump, the Solstice Inverter Split (SIS) system incorporates ultra highefficient inverter technology to deliver high performance in heating mode at low ambient temperatures. Utilizing a Panasonic EVI inverter compressor, SIS heat pumps provide optimum performance at temperatures down to -20°F. Heating capacity is 20,473 to 71,574 Btu/h and cooling capacity is in 2.5 to 5.2 tons.

www. spacepak.com

www. viega.ca

Floor standing boiler

Buffer tank

Triangle Tube’s floor standing Instinct solo and combi boilers offer Tsync wi-fi connectivity for troubleshooting, a stainless steel tube heat exchanger, and a five-plus GPM DHW output in the combi unit. The residential boiler also includes a Caleffi 548 Series separator with built-in air eliminator and dirt separator and offers left- or right-side boiler and gas connection options.

Flexcon Argosy is a pressurized composite buffer tank that is lightweight, leak-free and works well for hot or chilled potable and non-potable water.

PRESS RELEASE (11-1–21) The unit improves system cost effiHydroSketch 2.0 now available ciency by reducing heat pump short The latest version of HydroSketch - a simple, intuitive cloud-based software for making piping cycling low load periods. It has and electrical schematicsduring is now available at www.hydrosketch.com Version 2.0 several enhancements including: continuous strand a includes reinforced, durable, • A muchfibreglass larger drawing canvas to reduce tank. the need for scrolling. inner

www. flexconind.com

• Vector-based graphics that allows component symbols to be scaled over wide ranges while maintaining “crisp” appearance.

• New component symbols.

www. triangletube.com

• Additional resources such as YouTube tutorials.

A free 30-day trial version of HydroSketch 2.0 is available at www.hydrosketch.com A single user license, valid for 3 years from the date of purchase remains at $US 99.

Existing users will automatically work with version 2.0 when logging in. The original version of HydroSketch will remain supported through the end of 2021.

Digital Alert

Enhanced software

HydroSketch 2.0 from Appropriate Designs is an intuitive cloud-based software for making piping and electrical schematics. Version 2.0 includes enhancements such as a larger drawing canvas to reduce the need for scrolling, vector-based graphics that allow component symbols to be scaled over wide ranges while maintaining a “crisp” appearance, and resources such as YouTube tutorials.

hydrosketch.com 68

MB HYDRONICS02.22v3.indd 1

W E T

H E A T

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-28 9:23 AM

HYDRONIC PRODUCTS Radiant panels The VersaTherm floor system from Legend Hydronics is a low-profile, high-output, snap-fit radiant panel system suited for new construction and renovation projects. The panels snap together quickly, saving labour costs. The 3/4-in. thick panels are pre-insulated and naturally water resistant.

The 1/2-in. tubing is protected by metal and the entire surface transfers heat. legendvalve.com

Debris separator Caleffi's Dirtmag Pro contains dual magnetic fields and a redesigned collision mesh. All debris is purged from the system via a blow down valve. No disassembly or scraping of magnetite from wetted magnets is required, which means clean hands and easier servicing.

WILO-STRATOS MAXO

THE WORLD'S FIRST SMART PUMP Experience the future of pump technology making your life easier today.

www. caleffi.com

Sludge eliminator The Drago oxidation sludge eliminator is suited to closed loop hot or chilled water systems. It utilizes an ionization process, allowing the water to progressively clear up and return to its natural state.

The eliminator requires no periodic maintenance, no chemicals or additives and no electrical supply, and can be left in place permanently.

www. dragocanada.com

Tomorrow’s technology for today’s systems.

With optimized and innovative energy-saving features, the Wilo-Stratos MAXO sets new standards for commercial HVAC and drinking water applications in terms of energy efficiency. Its outstanding user-friendliness makes operating the pump easier than ever before.

1-403-277-9456 l www.wilo-canada.com Pioneering for You

W E T

MB HYDRONICS02.22v3.indd 2

H E A T

0 2 . 2 2

67 41

2022-01-28 9:27 AM

HYDRONIC PRODUCTS Firetube boiler The Valiant-FT high-efficiency firetube condensing boiler for commercial applications from Camus offers low water mass design, convenience of access, and a 7-in. colour HMI touchscreen control display with easy-toread graphical information. With a maximum operating temperature of 200°F, the unit has a 10:1 turndown rate. The control is Modbus RTU ready and capable of alternative protocols through the use of a gateway.

www. camus-hydronics.com

Balancing valves Watts offers iDROSET calibrated flow measuring and balancing valves with integrated flow measurement technology, a large dial for direct reading of flow, hand wheel for setting flow rate without the need for tools, and positive shut-off ball valve. The valves are factory tested and calibrated, and the gauge reads flow directly. The valves have a balancing turndown ratio of up to 25:1. Models are available in 1/2- to 2-in. sizes.

www. watts.ca

Heat pump The NX-N Series Air-to-Water heat pump from Climaveneta produces chilled water down to -8°C, and hot water up to 55°C. It can operate with external temperatures as low as -15°C in heating mode and up to 46°C in cooling mode. The outdoor reversible heat pump features hermetic rotary scroll compressors, axial fans and plate heat exchanger.

www. mitsubishielectric.ca

Boiler series Industrial freeze protection Pipe Mate is a formulation of 95.5 per cent Dow Chemical propylene glycol and a dipotassium phosphate based inhibitor. This fluid is red (food grade dye) and has an operating temperature of -50°F to 250°F (-46°C to 121°C). Solutions in water provide freeze protection to -60°F (-51°C) and burst protection to below -1OO°F (-73°C).

www. hoodchemical.com

Advanced Thermal Hydronics’ KN-Series boilers for commercial applications are now available with the Virtuoso2 10:1 high turndown system.

Working off the Tru-Flow air/fuel coupling system, the expanded KN air shutter driven system opens and closes electronically depending on the firing rate. The air shutter and blower design protect against intake and flue pressure fluctuations by maintaining blower RPM.

www. knseries.com

Digital Alert

Boiler app

The Weil-McLain ProTools App allows contractors and heating professionals to conveniently access information on Weil-McLain boiler setup, maintenance and troubleshooting. As well as allowing users to find parts and retrieve warranties, resources include technical manuals and how-to videos. Canadian contacts and information will be integrated into 2022 upgrades.

weil-mclain.ca 68

MB HYDRONICS02.22v3.indd 3

M e c h a n i c a l

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-28 10:28 AM

www.caleffi.com

®

DIRTMAG PRO DIRT SEPARATOR WITH

40% MORE POWER

Caleffi pioneered the magnetic dirt separation market in North America over 10 years ago with DirtMag®.

Now say hello to DirtMag® Pro – our latest advancement in ferrous and non-ferrous debris separation.

Containing powerful, dual magnetic fields and a redesigned collision mesh, DirtMag Pro delivers 40% more power for greater efficiency in dirt removal. The debris blow-down valve makes serviceability simple, keeping your hands clean. CALEFFI GUARANTEED.

MechanicalBusiness_DIRTMAGPro_8.125"x10.875".indd 1 MB Caleffijjm.indd 1

6/25/21 2:55 PM 2021-07-05 9:33 AM

TROUBLESHOOTING

Ray Wohlfarth is the author of Lessons Learned in a Boiler Room: A commonsense approach to servicing and installing commercial boilers and president of Fire & Ice. He can be reached at ray@fireiceheat.com.

By Ray Wohlfarth

Diagnostic checklist for the field W

hen you are working in the field it is handy to have some basic “go-to” diagnostic strategies, particularly for recurring problems.

The following strategies can save time and eliminate frustration on service calls.

O

Using the Twenty Degree Rule I like using the Twenty Degree Rule to verify proper operation of the hydronic heating system. Most hydronic systems were designed around a 20ºF. temperature difference or Delta T. The returning water will be heated by 20ºF through the boiler and the returning water should be 20ºF lower than the supply water temperature. If the temperature difference is less than 20ºF, this is usually not a problem. It just means the system is not operating at design conditions. The genuine concern is when the temperature difference is higher than 20ºF. This could indicate insufficient flow. Some boilers can handle a wider temperature rise but this needs to be verified with the manufacturer. A wide temperature difference causes thermal shock, which can destroy a boiler fairly quickly. The cool water returning to a hot boiler will cause rapid expansion and contraction.

Using the PTA gauge The pressure temperature altitude (PTA) gauge can help analyze hydronic system operation. The pressure and altitude scale are typically on the same pointer in the gauge because they are linked together. Every pound of pressure on the gauge will raise water 2.3 ft. As shown in the photo of the PTA gauge, the pressure reading is 12 psig. Tracing the gauge pointer in, you will see the water will reach about 28 ft. or 8.5 meters high at 12 psig.

This is usually sufficient for a two-storey structure.

Another diagnostic feature of the PTA gauge is it can tell you if the expansion tank is flooded. Water expands at three to four per cent of its volume when

44

W E T

MB_WETHEAT_WolhlfarthV2.indd 52

H E A T

heated from room temperature (depending on the initial and final temperatures) and the extra volume is managed by the expansion tank. If the boiler relief valve is weeping, watch the pressure reading on the PTA gauge while the boiler is firing. If the boiler pressure rises when the boiler fires, this is an indication the tank is flooded.

The other pointer on the PTA gauge shows the water temperature inside the boiler. On a non-condensing boiler, the water temperature should be above 140ºF (60ºC).

Operating the noncondensing boiler below that temperature could destroy the boiler, flue, or chimney.

Operating the noncondensing boiler below a water temperature of 140ºF could destroy the boiler, flue, or chimney.

What should the pressure be? Divide the height in feet above the boiler of the highest radiator by 2.3 and add three psig. For example, if the highest radiator elevation is 100 ft., the system would need 43.4 psig or 299 kPa. When adding the three psig to the number, the building will need 46.4 psig or 320 kPa pressure. A quick rule of thumb I use is dividing the building height by two, which would be the system pressure.

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-28 10:34 AM

OUTLAST. OUTPERFORM. OUTSTANDING!

Introducing the floor standing boiler with the highest standards.

EFFICIENCY

Caleffi 548 Series Separator

Wi-Fi connectivity for easy troubleshooting

PEACE OF MIND

INDUSTRY LEADING

Warranty: 10 years Heat Exchanger, 6 years parts, 3 years labor

DHW output in a Combi unit 5+ GPM

FLOOR STANDING SOLO AND COMBI T R I A N G L E T U B E .C O M

THE ORIGINAL I N N OVAT O R S

Caleffi 548 Series Separator (Shown Mounted)

TT22_075_Contractor Outperform Ad_8.125 x 10.875.indd 1 MB Trianglejjm.indd 1

1/19/22 3:55 PM 2022-01-20 5:17 PM

TROUBLESHOOTING

Cont’d from pg. 44

Noisy operation

Is the pump running?

There are typically three reasons for a noisy hydronic system: flow, air, or expansion/contraction.

Sometimes it is difficult to tell whether a small circulator is running.

You could place your hand on the motor but risk getting burned.

The ampere rating for a small circulator may be difficult to measure with an amp meter. A noncontact voltage detector will show power to the motor but not whether the circulator is spinning. There are two methods I like to use to verify the operation of a circulator. The first is a rotation tester available from the pump distributor or representative. When you hold the tester against the motor end of the circulator, it will spin to let you know if the pump is running and if it is turning the proper rotation. The second tool I use is Magnetic Tool, a free app from Danfoss, on my cell which will do the same as the rotation tester. I prefer this as I always have my cell with me. The app can also be used to see whether a solenoid valve is energized.

Flow – Proper flow is crucial to a hydronic boiler. If the flow is too low, the water could be hot enough to flash to steam. If the boiler sounds like Rice Krispies cereal when firing (snap, crackle and pop) scale is probably forming, which could lower the boiler’s efficiency and life. Excess flow can be noisy and can erode the inside of the piping or tubing, creating leaks.

A good rule of thumb is the water velocity should be between two and 4.5 ft. per second in occupied areas.

Air − In addition to causing noisy operation, air inside the piping can cause internal corrosion or air bound radiators. As you bleed air from the system, more water may need to be added to reach the desired system pressure.

Expansion/contraction – Baseboard radiation will expand when heated and contract when cooled. When heated, the radiator may make an annoying ticking sound. To limit the ticking, check the mounting brackets for no metal-tometal contact. The baseboard should have a plastic sleeve to allow it to slide on the bracket. Also, check where the tubing goes through the wall or floor.

If the opening is too small to allow for expansion and contraction, the system could be noisy.

Can the boiler breathe?

Every boiler needs combustion air for proper burner combustion. In most instances, a boiler will use about 12 to 15 parts of air for every part of gas burned.

When using outside air for combustion, consider the air density when setting the air to fuel ratio. The colder the air, the denser it is, meaning there will be more oxygen. The density or oxygen content will drop as the air warms or the barometric conditions change, affecting the air to fuel ratio. It is a good policy to check the air to fuel ratio on every boiler service call.

Radiator not heating Did you know the heat output from a cast iron radiator is 60 per cent convection and 40 per cent radiation? If the radiator is covered, this will reduce the convection or most of the heat output. If the room is feeling cool, verify the radiator convection is not impeded.

Intermittent failures One of the most frustrating things a technician will encounter in their career is a boiler that fails intermittently.

Of course, it will always fail when the technician is not onsite.

Some boilers can track and/or display the cause of the failures and this can help. My go-to technique while addressing an intermittent failure is to shut off the power to the boiler and snug the screws on the terminal strip. I recommend checking the terminal screw tightness on every service call as they tend to loosen over time.

46

W E T

MB_WETHEAT_WolhlfarthV2.indd 53

H E A T

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-27 4:44 PM

THE BEST IN

FIRETUBE TECHNOLOGY Avenger

• Two pass fully condensing stainless steel boiler & water heater • Models ranging from 1,000 MBH up to 4,000 MBH • Turndown of up to 25:1 • Up to 95% thermal efficiencies

Valiant-FT

• Fully condensing stainless steel boiler (for floor or wall mount) • Models ranging from 80 MBH up to 399 MBH • Turndown of up to 10:1 • Up to 97% thermal efficiencies Visit www.camus-hydronics.com for more info

MB Camusjjm.indd 1

2021-07-05 9:41 AM

PUMPS

Justine Mendoza is product specialist at Wilo Canada Inc. Steffen Werner is Wilo’s director of marketing and western region sales. He can be reached at steffen.werner@wilo.com.

By Justine Mendoza and Steffen Werner

Cloud connectivity and the resulting benefits I

magine virtually connected HVAC technology, where all equipment can talk to each other. An industry where specialists don’t need to travel to do a start-up or to troubleshoot equipment.

With cloud computing and monitoring this is already possible. It means using a secure server to interconnect building equipment via the internet and manage it from anywhere in the world.

Planning a commercial building in the future will be defined by forward thinking methods such as Building Information Modeling (BIM). One goal of this approach is to achieve a holistic overview of financial, technical and environmental characteristics of the facility over its whole lifecycle. As a result, connecting and constantly monitoring all processes and equipment within the building becomes very beneficial.

An overview of such a connected approach can be seen in Figure 1.

Figure 1 - Smart connection flow chart

Major opportunities in regards to reliability and efficiency for pump systems and components are created. Up until recently, pumps needed to continuously be checked, serviced and if necessary, adjusted to new system conditions manually onsite to guarantee stable operation. These tasks had to be documented, filed and communicated to the operator.

Data Generation

Generally, this could lead to situations characterized by a lack of information. Other drawbacks include: • Higher operation cost due to labour intense manual check and set up of pumps • Higher cost of troubleshooting onsite

Sensors/Actutors

Building Automation

Information Technology

Data Processing

• Difficulty documenting changing system parameters • Preventive maintenance has to rely on schedules instead of real equipment condition

Interfaces

• Possible efficiency gains across the system cannot be made transparent These issues can be solved in a cloud connected system.

New and already installed products can be integrated as these systems can be made retrofittable to older, electronically controlled pumps.

IoT - Data Cloud

Generally, pumps with integrated VFD can be upgraded to access cloud services by using a portal, the smart gateway. With the help of such a gateway any Modbus capable equipment has the potential to connect to a cloud service. This is a practical solution as no additional expensive equipment has to be purchased or replaced in order to have cloud capability.

Data Usage

Analysis

Monitoring Monitorung and and Optimization Optimization

48

60% 80%

W E T

MB_WETHEAT WiloPumpsV2.indd 52

User Interface

H E A T

Service Optimization

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-27 4:47 PM

NTI-220023-Jan Breadth Of Product Ad Canada 8.125X10.875 MB.qxp_NTI-220023-Jan Breadth Of Product Ad Canada 8.125X10.875 MB 1/17/22 4:50 PM Page 1

CANADA’S STRONGEST CONDENSING LINEUP.

net

GAS BOILERS WATER AND FIRE TUBE

net

WATER HEATERS DIRECT FIRED AND INDIRECT

COMBI FURNACES

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL 85MBH – 2,400MBH

NTI offers a wide range of high-efficiency hydronic heating and DHW products in multiple sizes for small residential to large commercial.

Choose from a wide lineup of products offered at a price point that is just right for your application.

Contact your nearest NTI Distributor or visit ntiboilers.com Copyright © 2022 NTI Boilers Inc. All rights reserved. Subject to change without notice.

MB NTIjjm.indd 1

Products you need from people who care

2022-01-18 12:09 PM

PUMPS

Cont’d from pg..48

During operation interconnection of equipment opens up more possibilities than ever before.

For example, pumps can find optimal operation points not only individually, but as a system by communicating with each other. This is called multi-flow adaptation and contributes significantly to overall system efficiency. It also aides with balancing hydronic loops as every pump involved can be read out to verify the flow

needed at given points of the system. In a world where energy efficiency and cost effectiveness are driving factors for decision making, it is important to explore all possible technical options. When we think of the opportunities that arise with smart buildings and the equipment that’s connected through cloudbased technology, we can’t even imagine all aspects of its potential yet.

Cloud connected pump system solution

Removing the limitations of geography The ability to monitor a building’s equipment anywhere in the world with any device that can connect to the internet is a giant step forward. It is beneficial for commissioning, start-ups and troubleshooting, especially in remote places such as the northern regions of Canada.

Commissioning in isolated places can bring its very own issues when no information about the whole pump system is available beforehand.

A simple look at the monitoring data could give an understanding of site conditions before technicians even arrive at the site.

Having cloud monitoring will also make it easier for the equipment supplier to help the end-user troubleshoot problems in operation, and to provide fixes. A common problem with existing remote monitoring systems is how complex they can be to set up, long read out delays, and user friendliness. These shortcomings can be solved with the help of a smart gateway. It provides faster communication speed and the set-up process is simplified by merely assigning pumps a web ID within the system. Intuitive and user-friendly information can be generated by utilizing a web-based or even an app-based interface.

Remote system control is another advantage of cloud capable systems. This functionality is perfectly suited for building managers and apartment complex owners. Controlling equipment remotely will save time and money by eliminating visits to every building just to adjust equipment or check on it.

Partner With Your Industry Experts.

Great People.

Efficient Solutions.

Meaningful Value

AQUATECH™ offers innovative Lochinvar® commercial and residential building heating and hot water solutions that empower engineers, specifiers, builders and contractors to use solutions that dependably deliver.

A building is about more than just products. It’s about people. Your customers, who live, learn, or work in the facilities must have heating and hot water solutions that perform and give them peace of mind.

Turn to one of your best resources for heating and hot water solutions, value and people support. Grow your business with AQUATECH. Represented By

Aqua-Tech Sales 4390 Paletta Court., Unit M, Burlington, ON L7L 5R2 P: 905.631.5815 • F: 905.637.8655

and Marketing Inc. 1585 Broadway Street., Unit 106, Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 2M7 P: 778.285.9596 • F: 778-285.9598

aquatech-canada.com

50

W E T

MB_WETHEAT WiloPumpsV2.indd 53

H E A T

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-27 4:47 PM

Potable Valves

Certified, Safe and Maintenance Free Belimo‘s new potable valve assemblies are certified to NSF 61 via the methods and values defined in NSF 372, ensuring customer safety. A comprehensive range engineered and manufactured for dependable, trouble-free performance offering superior flow control and long-lasting reliability.

Discover the advantages

www.belimo.ca

MB Belimojjm.indd 1

2022-01-24 10:19 AM

ROAD WARRIOR Aaron Gallant

Tradesperson’s Name: Aaron Gallant Company: Water Tight Plumbing & Heating Inc. Job title: Co-founder and president Born in: Charlottetown, PE Lives in: Charlottetown, PE Age: 45 Spouse: Suzzanne Children: Austin, 19 and Eli, 14 Pets: Two dogs, April and Elsie

Aaron Gallant: Always an Islander W hen Aaron Gallant began his plumbing career more than 20 years ago, he did what many young tradespeople did at the time − he headed west, where Alberta’s economy was booming. But while the money was good, a brief trip home to Prince Edward Island convinced him to return to Charlottetown and start his own business.

Photo by Louise Vessey, Light & Vision Photography

“I met my wife Suzzanne in Calgary, and we had our first kid,” recalls Gallant. “I came home that summer for two weeks, and Ray Peters, who was also working as a plumber at the time, said ‘You know, if you ever come back, we should start a company.’ I got back to Calgary and a month into it I was just crazy home sick.”

52

Gallant and his family returned to the Island and in 2005 he and Peters launched Water Tight Plumbing & Heating Inc. with one truck. “It was so bad there at the start that we couldn’t even figure out how to put gas in the truck we were so broke. And the truck would break down and we’d have to fix it ourselves, we couldn’t afford a mechanic,” laughs Gallant. “But we’d do everything, it didn’t matter − if there was water going through it, we would work on it, whether it was a swimming pool or bathtub or boiler. The business just grew from there.”

Today Water Tight has 18 employees, and works across the Island on a variety of projects, including residential, apartment buildings, commercial services and geothermal installations, the latter of which Gallant W E T

MB Road warrior02.22v3.indd 1

H E A T

says is becoming more popular as people switch from fossil fuels. The company recently bought excavation equipment, and now even offers residential water and sewer connection services.

Hydronics are also a key part of the business. “When I was 20 everything was hydronics. That’s where PEI is different from Alberta and Ontario, where there is a lot of forced air. Here there’s a ton of hydronics. A lot of the old-style systems are still in older apartment buildings, and it’s all hydronics and you’ve still got to look after it.” Popular newer hydronic installations include in-floor heating with an electric boiler, which Gallant says retirees are installing in smaller homes as heating.

Gallant’s favourite projects involve working in a boiler room, which he says “probably goes back to working with my first employer Cecil Thomas. He was a really good boiler man. And when I was in Calgary I worked with all these older guys − I thought they were older guys then but I’m their age now − who taught me a ton of stuff about hydronics and big buildings. Those guys are all retiring, so there’s going to be a huge hole there.” Unfortunately, Gallant says many apprentices today aren’t learning these crucial skills to replace the retiring generation of plumbers. “We’re losing that part of the trade as everything is switching over to electric. It’s hard to find guys who can fix older equipment and systems.”

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-28 2:49 PM

By Carolyn Cooper

In the mechanical industry since: 1997 Schools and programs: Holland College plumbing program graduating in 1997

Hobbies: My hobby farm − I have pigs and about 20 acres

Favourite teacher: Mrs. Myron, grade three teacher

Favourite snack: Peanut butter sandwich

Best advice you’ve ever received: Work hard and things will happen

Favourite place to be: Home

The current work ride: 2021 Tundra four-door

Favourite outdoor activity: Quading

Service area: Island-wide Favourite part of the job? Starting up a new piece of equipment The most useful tool in your toolbox: Pump pliers If you were granted one wish: To end climate change Favourite band/performer: Vintage 4.0 Best concert you ever attended? Ozzy Osbourne Favourite magazine: Mechanical Business

Last book you read: National Plumbing Code of Canada Last movie you saw: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Three albums you’d take with you to your desert island: 1. Traveller, Chris Stapleton 2. Mescalito, Ryan Bingham 3. The Last Waltz, The Band Biggest pet peeve: Being unorganized

Favourite TV show: The Curse of Oak Island

One place in the world you would like to visit: Ireland

Favourite movie: Platoon

One phrase that describes you: Hardworking

Favourite sport: Hockey

If you could meet anyone, alive or dead, who would it be? Thomas Crapper

Favourite season: Summer Favourite food: Pizza

Are you part of a sports team? I don’t play hockey anymore – I have plumber’s knees – but I coach kids’ hockey. My youngest son is now in bantam, or U15

Favourite car of all time: 1968 Ford Mustang

Finish these sentences: My rule of thumb is ... keep your customers happy.

If I had a million dollars I would ... semi-retire.

When I was a kid, I wanted to be ... in the NHL. If I had a super power, it would be ... Ant Man so I could be big or small, ready for any job.

W E T

MB Road warrior02.22v3.indd 2

H E A T

0 2 . 2 2

53

2022-01-28 9:08 AM

STANDARDS By: Carolyn Cooper

Seminar highlights updates to hydronic installation code EIGHT MAJOR TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO LOOK FOR IN THE CHANGES The Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) recently held a free seminar on the updated version of CSA B214:21 Installation Code for Hydronic Heating Systems published in 2021. The new version of the code contains technical changes, including restrictions on openloop such as combined potable-hydronic heating systems, requirements for piping installations, and a new inspection checklist.

The seminar was led by Lance MacNevin, a member of the CIPH B214 Technical Committee, and the Plastics Pipe Institute’s director of engineering for the building and construction division. MacNevin explained that the fifth edition of the code contains dozens of changes, including minor changes in format, search options and groupings for better usability, as well as eight major technical revisions. These include: • New installation requirements for radiant heating when part of a combination heating and potable water system in order to limit the risk of Legionella pneumophila. MacNevin noted there is a lot of new scientific information available about Legionella, and says the changes aim to minimize the risks of warm stagnant water sitting in radiant heating systems.

• Updates to the list of approved piping materials for hydronics, which included removing PVC and adding PERT-AL and PP-RCT pipes.

• New piping requirements for pipes in air plenums for PEX and PERT tubing in regard to tubing support and insulation.

• New manufacturing, sizing and installation requirements for heating distribution manifolds.

Lance MacNevin is a member of the CIPH B214 Technical Committee, and the Plastics Pipe Institute’s director of engineering for the building and construction division.

areas and industrial spaces, as well as a new section on loop balancing in radiant heating requiring system loops to be installed so that design flow rates are achieved.

• New requirements for radiant joist systems and subfloor installations in regard to air space and insulation.

• Non-mandatory informational guidance on radiant cooling.

Another change is the new hydronic heating inspection installation checklist for building officials, which MacNevin says is a “really good new addition to the code.”

store.csagroup.org

• Revised requirements for maximum floor temperatures in radiant flooring for occupied

54

W E T

MB_WETHEAT CSA B214v4.indd 52

H E A T

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-28 9:11 AM

“

one of the greatest money makers…one of the greatest time savers that we’ve had introduced to us.

— Tim of Universal Plumbing

Save on time and labour with SharkBite Brass Push, which is compatible with PEX, copper, CPVC, PE-RT and HDPE pipe.

”

Learn more at sharkbite.com

MB Sharkbitejjm.indd 1

2022-01-21 10:21 AM

JOBSITE JARGON

Match the terminology you hear in the field to the correct definition or function by February 25, 2022 and enter for your chance to win a $200 Visa gift card. Send your answers to kerry.turner@mechanicalbusiness.com or enter online at mechanicalbusiness.com.

In the event of a tie, the first entry in will be given the win, so don’t delay!

WIN!

EXAMPLE: 1) Zone: An area of a building where space heating is controlled by a single thermostat  Answer 1, K A) The volume of DHW a given water heater can deliver within the first hour of a draw B) Active solar energy system where all fluid drains out of the collectors and exposed piping into a holding tank at the end of each

JOBSITE JARGON

operating cycle

C) A boiler control feature that allows multiple boilers to be linked and

1)

Zone

2)

Turndown ratio

3)

Low-mass boiler

4)

Standby loss

5)

Drainback system

sequenced to function together

D) The length of straight pipe which yields the same pressure drop as the sum of all piping, fittings, valves, and other components in a piping circuit E) Operating a combustion-type heat source so that the water vapor produced during combustion condenses on the internal surfaces of the heat exchanger F) A piping system that is sealed at all points from the atmosphere G) The rate at which a water heating device can supply heated water at a

6)

Continuous flow rating

7)

Total equivalent length

8)

PI (Proportional-Integral) Control

9)

First Hour Rating

given temperature on a sustained basis H) Measurement of heat lost from the surface of a water storage vessel while the vessel’s heat source is off; often expressed as a percentage lost per hour or a number of degrees lost per hour I) A boiler that operates with a small volume of water, sometimes as little as a few quarts J) Control response where the value of the output signal is based on the

10) Closed-loop system

error between the target value and the actual (measured) value of the controlled variable, as well as how long that error has existed

11) Cascading

K) An area of a building where space heating is controlled by a single thermostat

12) Condensing mode

L) The ratio of a burner’s capacity at full fire to its lowest firing point before shut-down

Congratulations!

56

M e c h a n i c a l

JOBSITE JARGON02.22v1.indd 1

B u s i n e s s

The winner of Jobsite Jargon in the November/December 2021 issue is Justin Rogers. Rogers is a service supervisor with Dukes Plumbing in Calgary, AB.

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-24 11:17 AM

Canada’s Show for the HVACR and Plumbing Industries

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! Featured Sessions FIGHTING THE FOG: AN OVERVIEW OF GREASE INTERCEPTORS

MEETING THE NEED OF THE FUTURE: AIR TO WATER HEAT PUMPS

Faith Winter

Mike Miller

Market Development Specialist, Endura

Vice President of Sales, Canada, Taco Comfort Solutions

Register for CMPX Show & Education for Free Use promo code MECHBIZ

JOINTLY PRODUCED BY

cmpxshow.com CMPX MB CMPXjjm.indd 22 Mechanical 1 Business-Jan20_proof-v3.indd 1

2022-01-24 10:45 2022-01-24 10:22 AM AM

Marketing

with DOUG MACMILLAN

Doug MacMillan is president of The Letter M Marketing in Guelph, ON. To reach him, email doug@letterm.ca.

Can your company help customers smarten up?

D

o you recall the mild panic you felt when the doorbell rang and you were not expecting anyone? Still in your pyjamas with no recollection of inviting anyone over, thoughts flashed through your mind: Is it the FedEx guy? What did I order? Oh, maybe the LED lightbulbs? I only ordered those yesterday, there’s no way they are here already.

In 2022, this is not a worry. Your smart home will tell you everything you need to know. You look at your doorbell camera and see exactly who is there. Your Alexa will ping and tell you, “Your Amazon order has been delivered.” You may not even need to check because you’ve been real-time tracking the package since yesterday. The Internet of Things for homes makes all of this possible, and its popularity is skyrocketing.

Smart HVAC systems allow customers more control, and by extension, more peace of mind. Advanced systems mediate more than just temperature, and they continuously allow users to adjust system parameters for perfect thermal comfort – in many cases, room by room or zone by zone. Another benefit of IoT HVAC systems is the continuously evolving and incredibly accurate notification systems, which can update customers in real time when their system requires maintenance. No more fiddling with knobs and controls they don’t fully understand, or facing an emergency no-heat situation.

Integrating solutions Research suggests homeowners want to broaden the use of IoT beyond HVAC systems to include energy management, home security, air quality and health, never mind the gadget trends such as smart light bulbs and garage door openers. They are

58

DOUG02.22v1.indd 1

M e c h a n i c a l

B u s i n e s s

looking to integrate various solutions in the same central module, so it’s only logical that businesses adapt to the world around us. Embracing smart home technology is the way of the future, or actually the way of the now. Businesses in the home service space which are adopting and promoting smart home products, including (and perhaps especially) helping customers with the ever-confusing system set-up and ongoing servicing of the smart system, will be well set up to retain and grow their customer base.

The only deficit to IoT and smart home technology is also ironically its greatest asset: the ability to seamlessly do anything so easily, that users expect and require everything else to be that easy, too.

It’s imperative that we’re not only keeping up with customers’ expectations but are exceeding them by beating them to the punch. It’s equally important to provide accessible, highly visual

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-23 12:41 PM

‘how to’ communications materials that also manage expectations of technology’s abilities.

It’s increasingly important that businesses in the home service capacity are marketing themselves to showcase that they’re keeping up with these trends which are ultimately becoming must-haves. Customers want to know the experts they’re trusting with their family’s comfort and safety are in the know about the technology available made to make their lives easier.

One-stop shop

Consider going seamless from start to finish; everything from installation to regular home maintenance should be unified and easy. This could mean collaborating with other businesses to ensure you’re offering top-tier service.

Partnering with companies with expertise in this sector, such as home security experts and computer specialists, helps your company stay positioned as a one-stop shop for everything smart home related. This lessens the need for your customers to reach out to multiple vendors to ultimately support one system. It may seem like a large step away from traditional mechanical services; however, leadership is about evolving and companies in the home service space are especially primed to be this go-to supplier given their trusted relationship with customers.

Luckily, these services provide fully integrated platforms that can connect HVAC users with contractors and maintenance providers, and that quickly share critical maintenance data with service providers. Some go a step further and automatically schedule maintenance or call emergency technicians as soon as the smart sensors detect a problem. You want to make sure your company is the one connected when problems arise.

Problem on the job? The solution is in your pocket!

The NexTech On-The-Go app features 180+ troubleshooting videos for residential plumbing, HVAC, and electrical tasks.

Start Your Free Trial!

NextechAcademy.com

M e c h a n i c a l

B u s i n e s s

ACHR NexTech OTG 3.375wx4.875h_1121.indd 1

DOUG02.22v1.indd 2

0 2 . 2 2

67 59

12/3/21 1:44 PM

2022-01-26 9:30 AM

Fred Bretzke is a full-time pipe trades instructor with SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary. He can be reached at fred.bretzke@sait.ca.

PLUMBING

By Fred Bretzke

THE FINER POINTS OF

LEAK DETECTION T

Such is the dilemma of a plumber − we hate having leaks. They are like call backs, you never want one, but they still happen.

There are many reasons for leaks, including corrosion, water hammer and old age. Piping systems do age and eventually fall apart or leak. The worst leak is the unexpected one.

It is sometimes not too bad if your old hot water tank leaks as it is usually installed near a floor drain to prevent severe flood damage, and there are usually warning signs.

In other words, if you’re running out of hot water or there are signs of soot marks due to overheating near the bottom of the tank, it usually means it’s time for replacement.

While the tank isn’t cheap to replace, it’s not as bad

42 60

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_Bretske02.22v2.indd 24

B u s i n e s s

Photo: Phyn

here is an old trades’ saying that you became a plumber and not an electrician because there was too much math in electrical. Little did some of us realize that in order to become a plumber/gasfitter there would still be some electrical involved with the gas part of the trade. It is funny though, that most electricians I’ve talked to, prefer electrical over plumbing because they are afraid of leaks.

I still would prefer a leak over electrocuting myself, or blowing myself up.

Interior leak detection has become very sophisticated, with some devices measuring tiny changes in pressure 240 times every second to understand the unique voice of each water fixture in the home. This allows the device to understand the subtle differences between a running bath and a burst pipe. as a blown apart pipe in the wall, thereby causing a lot of interior structure damage. Even if insurance does cover it, it is still a pain in the neck. Hence that means every time homeowners go on holidays for more than three days or so, it’s common practice to have a friend or neighbour check on the residence to ensure all is well, that is if the owners want insurance coverage. I don’t know how many times I’ve gone to insurance claims where the wooden floors were warped beyond recognition, and drywall damage right to the basement was significant. The furnace can have significant water damage, the electrical and possibly the heat exchanger need to be changed if moisture affects them. This is all possible damage from obvious leaks in a home.

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-27 4:57 PM

Water Conditioning

Webinar Training Series New Series Starting the week of April 11th!

10 Sessions:

1. The Importance of Water Treatment

A FREE webinar series to help you build your water conditioning business and improve your bottom line.

2. Water Testing 3. Water Softening 4. Proper Installation Techniques 5. Carbon Filtration 6. Iron Filtration 7. Removing Odors and Gases 8. Reverse Osmosis Systems 9. UV Systems 10. Presenting the Benefits of Water Treatment to Homeowners

Earn a FREE Water Softener

Learn the complete basics of water conditioning from Industry Experts Mike Barone Technical Trainer

David Taft Webinar Training Manager

t 35-year water industry veteran t Worked with some of the industry’s

t 35 years of water treatment

leading companies t Appearances in This Old House and Designing Spaces

REGISTER TODAY: www.novowater.com MB NOVOjjm.indd 1

experience

t Worked with some of the

industry’s leading companies

t Past member of the board of

directors for EWQA and Sales Director for Canature WaterGroup

REGISTER TODAY: www.watergroup.com 2022-01-21 10:15 AM

PLUMBING

Cont’d from pg. 60

TWILIGHT ZONE WATER LEAKS Today we are going to talk about the leaks that are not so obvious, how to find them, and how to prevent them from becoming costly. Water leaks can vary in expense from a toilet flapper or faucet leaking, to the water main or underground pipe leaking.

The hardest, and possibly the most-costly, leak to locate and repair is that invisible one underground. I’ve been involved with several hundred of these kinds over the years. The following are some lessons I’ve learned.

1) Water follows its easiest path

Underground leaks are the hardest and possibly the most-costly leak to locate and repair.

When water perforates the outside ground, that is not necessarily where the leak is. I have had leak locators promise me exactly where the leak is and they were usually wrong. The leak locator who explains that his locate is approximate is usually the one to trust. Underground water paths are sometimes inexplicable, it’s just a matter of its easiest path which could be several feet away from the above ground water surge.

2) Weather affects water flow If you come across an underground water leak in the winter, you can rest assured the water source will be tricky to find. Especially in Canada where the frost can be as deep as five- to six-ft. in some conditions. Big asphalt or concrete lanes allow for deeper frost conditions. When the frost is thick, it will act as a barrier to prevent the water leak from penetrating, hence it will go around it underground and appear as much as 20 to 30 ft. away. This can create a serious mistake in your repair calculations.

3) Underground leaks are not always covered by insurance Most people think leaks are always covered by insurance and in general they are correct. If a pipe bursts in the structure, it is usually covered, however if the water leak occurs underground outside of the home or structure, there is a good chance it is not covered. Most insurance companies only cover leaks in or under the insured structure. The problem is most underground leaks occur in the laneway outside of the home. The reason being is when the city or indemnified company installs the water service tail piece on to a property, they make sure it is well on the homeowner’s property, sometimes as much as a nine ft. overlap.

This means when the plumber connects the corporation coupling

to the tailpiece, it is definitely on your side. Most underground leaks happen at the connection point underground which is typically under the private lane outside of the house.

4) Leak detection is not always accurate, but it is definitely much better than before Back in the day leak detection was a bit of an art, even though we have used noise detection technology for many years. Sometimes city leak detectors could locate leaks just with an oversized Interior leak stethoscope placed on the meter or curb detection cock and through sound experience methods are frequently used in could tell where the leak was by ear. conjunction with an Some locators were within a foot or two app that can warn with their locates while others were many homeowners of feet off, so it depended on who did the leaks in the home. locate. Today, interior leak detection can be done with many different brands.

These different methods are usually used in conjunction with an app that can Photo Sinope Technologies warn of leaks inside a house. These devices Digital leak monitors include digital, mechanical or ultrasonic can save homeowners an expensive ordeal. detection. One of these devices actually sends a text notification and cell call if there is a leak and shuts off the water. This can be very helpful for insurance reasons, to limit damage to the home. Of course, now these different methods only detect leaks in your house, not outside or underground.

5) It’s impossible to accurately estimate underground leaks If a person tells you that your leak can be accurately estimated, he or she is probably inexperienced, unless of course they are estimating complete replacement or pulling a new water line.

Due to not being able to see underground, almost anything can happen. Plastic services are very difficult to locate through sound as they do not conduct sound very well. Most if not all underground leak detection is accomplished through acoustic methods. Leak detectors will sometimes use air to over pressurize the leak and hope for detection.

6)Leak repair or replacement cost less than the resulting damage It’s interesting to note, that repairing the leaking pipe is always the cheapest part of this process. It’s the resulting damages that cost the most, such as mould, dry wall, flooring, and even appliance damages. There could even be concrete structural damage, or exterior yard and lane damages. The plumbing bill is usually only five per cent of the actual costs, and luckily if insurance is covering it, they cover 95 per cent of the resulting damages. Encouraging customers to install a digital leak monitor in their homes could save them quite an expensive ordeal.

24 62

MB_Bretske02.22v2.indd 26

2022-01-27 5:00 PM

MOVE OVER METAL From parking garages to hospitals to high buildings, more and more mechanical contractors and engineers are switching to a long-lasting DWV solution

Why are DWV systems from IPEX becoming the new standard? As an integrated solution, System XFR® and System 15® meet all code requirements for noncombustible buildings.

More importantly, they provide the required rugged reliability with all the added benefits of PVC: • Lightweight, Easier to Install

• An Aesthetic Alternative

• Corrosion Resistant, Less Maintenance

• Unsurpassed Technical Support

• Long-Term Savings

SYSTEM XFR® is now available in larger diameters

14", 16", 18"

Contact us to learn more about our complete DWV product line. ipexna.com 1-866-473-9462

System XFR®, System 15®, MJ GreyTM and Drain-GuardTM are registered trademarks.

MB IPEXjjm.indd 1

PLUMBING & MECHANICAL SYSTEMS

2022-01-28 2:55 PM

PLUMBING

Products

Potable water valves Belimo’s line of potable water ball and butterfly valves are designed to control flow rate for drinking water, and food and beverage applications. The ball valves feature lead-free brass bodies, while the butterfly valves are made of ductile iron ASTM A536 for on/off or floating-point control, with operating ranges of up to 230 psi. Both valves are NFS certified.

www. belimo.ca

Battery adapter General Pipe Cleaners’ Gen-Pack battery adapter allows sewer inspection camera systems to operate in remote locations where access to power is limited. The lightweight, portable unit has an output of 15 V DC, and features a command module with USB port, a 7-in. LCD colour monitor and onetouch recording.

Digital

Sink faucets The Kitano collection of sink faucets from Delta is available in either single- or double-faucet models. The units include metal level handles, and one- or three-hole four-inch installation. The collection comes in a range of scratch-resistant Brilliance finishes that are guaranteed not to corrode, tarnish or discolour.

www. drainbrain.com

www. deltafaucet.ca

Valve station The Intelligent pressure reducing valve station from Cla-Val is suited to high rise projects with multi-pressure zones. The station, which is preassembled and pressure treated, includes all valves, piping, vibration isolation, instrumentation, monitoring and control components. The unit automatically throttles to reduce higher incoming pressure while maintaining a constant lower downstream pressure, regardless of changing flow rate.

www. cla-val.com

Water sensor Phyn has expanded its line of smart water monitoring products with a smart water sensor to detect leaks, changes in temperatures and potentially damaging humidity levels. The sensor can be used in basements, under the sink, near the water heater, or anywhere leaks are possible. It alerts homeowners as soon as it comes in contact with water using audible, visual and SMS app notifications.

www. phyn.com Follow Us on:

64

M e c h a n i c a l

MB PLUMBING 02.22v3.indd 1

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-23 12:46 PM

New digital solutions

PLUMBING

Products

Touchless faucet

ASC Engineered Solutions has upgraded its digital design solutions with threaded fitting Autodesk Revit families. Digital BIM/CAD content includes information on Anvil and SCI brand cast, ductile and malleable iron products in standard and heavyweight offerings. Products can be downloaded in 2D and 3D CAD formats from ASC’s BIM library, along with fabrication content components (.ITM files).

The Gooseneck touchless faucet from Toto features soft flow technology to precisely balance individual streams of water with almost no splash. The faucet is available in standard and vessel heights with Toto’s Ecopower or electric platforms, allowing the hands-free faucets to recharge with every use.

www. toto.com

Tube bender kit The alloy ratchet tube bender kit from Yellow Jacket creates smooth and consistent bends working 1/4 in. to 7/8 in. soft copper, aluminum and light wall hydraulic tubing. The mandrel attachment ball-detent feature and colour-coded mandrels simplify switching between different tubing sizes.

Digital Alert

asc-es.com/bim-portal

yellowjacket.com

QUALITY, SATISFACTION, DELIVERY. Precision Plumbing Products offers the quality and selection you need.

Make us your OEM Partner for Manifolds.

PPP has been manufacturing in Portland, Oregon since the 1960s.

Our Manifolds are: • • • • •

Factory ISO 9001 ISO 14001 certified-green Every Manifold Pressure Tested OEM Special Orders With a Multitude of Fitting Choices and Custom Sizes

SHOWN: PPP Manifolds All parts are 100% tested. www.pppinc.net

M e c h a n i c a l

MB PLUMBING 02.22v3.indd 2

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

65

2022-01-23 12:47 PM

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

B y Jo n at h o n H arp

Hydrogen and electrification: the future of heating Will there be one, two, or many new low carbon energy alternatives?

I

t is interesting to note that Canada released two strategies in 2020 to meet its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets under the Paris Accords. Climate Actions for a Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy has an emphasis on electrification of the energy sector, and The Hydrogen Strategy for Canada highlights the benefits of modernizing Canada’s energy systems through the use of hydrogen in various end-uses.

Both strategies acknowledge the importance of decarbonizing the heating industry; a major contributor to GHG emissions in Canada. However, these strategies have differing approaches to decarbonizing the heating sector.

The Climate Actions’ strategy involves electrification of heating while the Hydrogen Strategy seeks to replace natural gas with hydrogen as the fuel for heating systems. So, are these strategies competing or are we going to see a combination of these as well as other options?

66

For example, the UK government has already made investments and taken significant steps forward in each strategy. The UK scientific sector is currently debating this subject with many involved in the discussions indicating it’s an “us or them” issue. More reasonable stakeholders see the only solution as a combination of the two options.

or GHG neutral strategies including ground source heat pumps, hydrogen fuel cells and the use of natural gas/hydrogen mixtures.

significantly in the future, heat pumps would still be more cost effective than hydrogen heating appliances or fuel cells according to the study.

The two main low carbon heating equipment options associated with these strategies are hydrogen-fueled heating equipment such as furnaces and boilers and electric air source heat pumps. There are a number of other options of heating and energy systems that fit into the low GHG

A UK study on future options for decarbonizing heating systems released by Three Seas Consulting in March of 2021 found air-source heat pumps to be the most cost-effective low carbon heating technology with implementation and operating costs at least 50 per cent lower than hydrogen technologies. Even if energy costs change

It should be noted that the study also states “energy efficiency measures to reduce heat demand would be a more cost-effective strategy for achieving GHG reductions than any of the low-GHG heating pathways [options] assessed in this study.” Again, interesting.

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_HydrogenElectrification 02.22V3.indd 68

More than six million homes in Canada use natural gas for heating.

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-23 1:01 PM

THE HYDROGEN OPTION Hydrogen heating strategies view it as the replacement for natural gas (i.e., methane) in a decarbonized world. The existing natural gas grids would be used to distribute hydrogen.

However, there are serious challenges for hydrogen as the “fuel of the future.” These include significant changes to natural gas distribution grids (as an example, hydrogen cannot be used with metal piping) and the retrofit or replacement of natural gas-fuelled equipment.

Another challenge is development of hydrogen heating equipment that has seen some progress in Europe. The option of using hydrogen/natural gas mixtures is also being explored. Pilots being run in North America and other regions have learned that installed natural gas-fuelled heating equipment will only operate safely when mixtures contain no more than 10 to 20 per cent hydrogen. This does not seem to be enough hydrogen content to meet GHG target reductions.

Production of increased quantities of hydrogen is also a concern. Hydrogen can be produced a number of ways.

However, production using the most common method (steam methane reformation) actually creates more GHG emissions than the quantity of hydrogen produced, which increases carbon loading.

Splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen is an extremely expensive process at this point.

A new lower carbon process called carbon capture and storage (CCS) is not commercialized at this time. Another option is electrolysis (splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen) however; this process is extremely expensive at this point.

Concerning overall costs for hydrogen heating, the Energy Networks Association (ENA) in the UK estimated “the costs of repurposing and running the gas grid on hydrogen are around £130 billion [C$221 billion] for converting the grid and £36 billion [C$62 billion] annual running costs.”

Considering Canada’s population is about 60 per cent of the UK’s, the prorated cost could be more than C$170 billion.

THE ELECTRIFICATION OPTION Electrification is a strategy to reduce GHG emissions by eliminating fossil fuel combustion. The strategy is to move intensive energy sectors to electrical equipment and technologies. The leading Canadian electrical heating option is cold climate heat pump technology, which is, or will be, offered by the majority of heat pump manufacturers serving the market.

Electrification also has its challenges and concerns including the forecasted cost and whether an “electrified” energy sector in Canada is even feasible. Estimates of “electrifying” Canada over the next 30 years range between $500 million and over $1 trillion, depending how far governments are going to go with this mandate.

Other challenges include the necessary increase in electricity generation, the issue of changing out current non-electric heating equipment, and increasing electrical capacity in homes and buildings. As an example, surveys by Natural Resources Canada indicate that more than 300,000 commercial and institutional buildings and 6,000,000 homes in Canada use natural gas for heating.

A HYBRID SOLUTION It seems clear there is no single solution for decarbonizing the heating sector. In addition, eliminating natural gas in the near future does not appear to be realistic considering its significant use throughout Canada including the more than nine per cent of electrical generation powered by natural gas.

ENA suggests that to meet GHG emissions targets “a combination of low carbon and renewable gases, alongside electrification, CCS, and energy efficiency scenarios will be the key to unlocking net zero [emissions].” This seems to fit for Canada’s strategy on decarbonization and GHG reduction; a hybrid plan that includes electrification and hydrogen with natural gas in the mix for the near term, as well as renewables and energy efficiency steps. A one-size-fits-all solution to this complex issue does not appear to be in the cards.

Hydrogen is going to play a part in the larger picture to reduce GHG emissions. One UK source said “Hydrogen would be better used as a low carbon transport fuel for heavy goods and shipping rather than for domestic heat.” At this point, no one seems certain how hydrogen will be used and if it will impact the heating sector.

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_HydrogenElectrification 02.22V4.indd 70

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

67

2022-01-27 5:04 PM

HVAC/R Products P Airflow system The Airflow-IQ from Ruskin combines the Ruskin TDP05K air flow and temperature measuring probes, the CD50 control damper, and the VAFB24-BAC RAMS Air Measurement BACnet actuator. The system is factory assembled and calibrated to provide effective setpoint airflow control from 0 to 5,000 FPM using analog or BACnet interface, and can be customized to fit a variety of applications and options.

www.

ruskin.com

Temperature controller Danfoss’s Optyma Control AK-RC 251 electronic temperature controller for walkin coolers and freezers can help reduce installation time of these units by removing the need for mechanical thermostats in cooling applications and defrost timers in freezer applications. The unit is easy to set up, mount and wire, and controls compressors, solenoid valves, defrost, fans, lights and crankcase heaters.

www.

danfoss.com

Comfort fans Continental Fan introduces Comfort Max Fans, high-volume, low-speed fans designed to redistribute heated or cooled air to floor level and eliminate temperature layers in the ceiling space. Available in sizes ranging from 10 to 24 ft., the fans feature quiet operation, five-blade aluminum airfoils, standard 32-in. downrod, and a maintenance-free gearless motor.

www.

continentalfan.com

Acoustic imagers Monitoring sensor The Aranet4 is a battery-powered, stand-alone wireless sensor designed to monitor CO2, temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure in indoor environments.

The portable device is easy to install and operate, and alerts users when the monitored levels become unhealthy. An antitheft wall mount (25 x 19 x 10 mm) using a Security Torx screw is also available for the sensor.

www.

Fluke’s acoustic imaging solutions include the SV600 Fixed Acoustic Imager to continuously monitor equipment and set alarms to notify of any issues, and the ii900 Industrial Acoustic Imager to quickly and safely locate leaks or mechanical anomalies without stopping equipment. The unit allows users to see leaks in context with SoundMap technology on a 7-in. LCD touchscreen.

www.

fluke.com

aranet4.com 68

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_HVAC 02.22v1.indd 1

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-23 1:03 PM

MB Haierjjm.indd 1

2021-10-01 12:47 PM

HUMAN RESOURCES

B y Sue Sodek Sue Sodek has over 20 years of human resources and consulting experience across a variety of businesses, and currently manages HR for UCEL Inc in Uxbridge, ON. She can be reached at sue.sodek@gmail.com.

End

r

Sample Written Warning Lette

of the Line

N

o matter how hard you try, there comes a time in every manager’s career when they realize an employee isn’t working out and needs to be let go. Hiring is a tricky business, fraught with expense, regulations and legal ramifications if done wrong and firing is no different. When you prepare yourself for these encounters ahead of time, you can protect yourself and your business.

It’s rare for a long-term, solid performer to suddenly change behaviour; when one does, there are often extenuating circumstances.

Your best first step is of course just to manage.

A manager doesn’t just assign tasks, but evaluates performance and monitors mood. If a previously unproblematic employee suddenly turns unreliable, there could be an underlying reason. Physical and mental health issues can affect us all at one time or another, and can have a major, unintentional impact on work performance. Before jumping into punishment mode, talk to your employees. Good managers know how to support workers that are struggling. And monitoring your staff is the best way to prevent smaller, still brewing conflicts from boiling over into major problems.

ling ABC Heating and Coo John Manager ABC Heating and Cooling 123 Main Street Any Town, Any Province June X, 202X Doug Employee e as an official May X, 202X, this letter will serv Further to our conversation on exact cribe (des to due s dard stan t company warning of your failure to mee . ible) s and detail where poss incident(s), including dates, time clients, and highest quality service for our the ide prov to e striv At ABC, we In our previous es. loye emp our for ent ronm a safe and open working envi g your colleagues actions were directly impactin discussion, we noted that your . immediate change was necessary and our customers, and that an : ired rovements are requ The following performance imp 1.

2.

3. not improve in that if your performance does This letter shall serve as notice two weeks from cally typi e, (dat by s tion mmenda accordance with the above reco ination. term discipline up to and including date of letter), you risk further r. lette this of copy received a Please sign below to indicate you

John Manager

Doug Employee

Progressive Discipline When there is a pattern of sloppy work, absenteeism, or lateness going uncorrected, it may be time for performance management − otherwise known as progressive discipline. Progressive discipline is a plan you put in place to document issues, provide steps for improvement, and detail consequences for a problem employee should they not change their ways. The benefits of progressive discipline are simple − either you rehabilitate a poor performer, or you have built a strong case to terminate someone without huge notice payments or worries of wrongful termination suits.

Progressive discipline proceeds just as it sounds. You

70

M e c h a n i c a l

MBsodek12.2021v2.indd 54

B u s i n e s s

provide a series of warnings with escalating potential consequences to a problem employee to either correct their bad behaviour or provide you with the documentation you need in order to fire someone for cause. Typically, you would start with a verbal discussion and move to written warnings of consequences up to suspensions or termination. At each stage, employees should be made aware of times, dates, and incidences, the behaviour to be corrected and the ramifications should they fail to do so.

To illustrate, let’s say you noticed your employee Doug has been taking extra long lunches and seems to be running late most days.

You monitored his work over the past week and his time spent idle is starting to really add up. Where should you begin?

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-27 5:07 PM

Your first step would be to talk to Doug. Let him know you’ve noticed a pattern of behaviour that impacts his fellow workers and your bottom line and that things need to change. Keep emotion out of it. Telling someone “You’re screwing up” doesn’t exactly invite confidences and won’t help you build your case. Ask Doug if he has any challenges in completing his work on time and set a time frame to follow up on any issues he identifies. If you have a policies and procedures manual in place, review key sections and ask him if he understands the standards he must meet. Let Doug know the consequences if there is no improvement to his behaviour and that you are open to discussing solutions with him.

If Doug offers no reasonable explanation and does not change his behaviour after your talk, it’s time to put things in writing with a warning letter (see the template on the left). Be specific. “Always late” will not hold up under challenge. Dates and details are necessary. Have the employee sign a copy of the letter to ensure they understand the gravity of the situation and the binding nature of this warning. Set the date to follow up, and make sure you do so. If you warn but don’t follow through, you’ve sent a message that the bad behaviour has been excused.

All discussions should take place privately, and be noted in the employee file. Be specific about dates, what was discussed and what was agreed upon. If you do eventually need to terminate an employee, this documentation will become critical should your decision be challenged legally. The documentation builds the case that you have tried every possible route to rehabilitation, and that the employee was aware lack of improvement meant risking being fired.

DOUG HAS LEFT THE BUILDING In most cases, if you have tried several rounds of progressive discipline without seeing significant, lasting improvement, it’s time to let the person go. Poor performers with bad attitudes don’t just cost you time and money, they can poison a workplace, ruin your reputation and bring down strong performers when left unchecked.

When it’s time to end an employment relationship, be prepared.

Have a supervisor or other manager in the room with you when possible. Be brief, be clear and have your paperwork ready.

Avoid apologies and don’t allow yourself to be pulled into a discussion of what “might have been.” The decision has been made. Retrieve any keys, parking passes, identity cards or other company property before the individual leaves the building, and reset access codes. Keep copies of any documentation, warnings or letters in the employee file in a safe location for no less than three years.

It is a good idea to let other employees know there has been a staffing change, especially when said change may leave people wondering about their own futures. A brief, clear statement to the team will help stop the rumour mill from going into overdrive, provide reassurance and reinforcement for your decisions, and allow everyone to get back to work.

TAKE NOTE Progressive discipline is not necessary (or recommended) for the most serious, egregious of offences. Incidences of theft, gross insubordination, the threat of and/or serious acts of violence in the workplace are typically just cause in and of themselves, wherein you are justified in immediately terminating the offender without notice.

If you or another one of your employees is physically threatened – call the police. If you have the luxury of time and are unclear on your rights as an employer, consult a human resource consultant or labour lawyer.

If this is a case where there has been a major, egregious offence such as workplace violence or theft there is generally no need to provide notice or payment in lieu. Cases with provocation or no premeditation may negate your right to terminate with cause; make sure you have your facts straight.

Generally, where there is violence or a credible threat thereof, you are justified to immediately terminate.

M e c h a n i c a l

MBsodek12.2021v2.indd 56

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

71

2022-01-27 5:07 PM

STUFF YOU NEED Cordless Grinder The 60V Max Brushless Cordless Flexvolt Grinder with Kickback Brake from DeWalt delivers 30 per cent more torque than previous models, and up to 2,300 max watts output. With a 7-in. grinding capacity and a no-load speed of 6,500 RPM, the grinder works for wire brushing, general grinding and cutting for metal and concrete applications.

Featuring DeWalt’s E-Clutch System and a kickback brake, the grinder is designed to provide greater control, dust containment and low vibration, and immediately shuts down when a pinch or stall is detected.

Rotary Hammer The second generation M18 FUEL 1-1/8in. SDS Plus cordless rotary hammer with one-key from Milwaukee Tool is powered by a Powerstate brushless motor delivering 3.6 ft.-lbs. of impact energy, 800 RPM and 4,600 BPM, and a Redlithium high output XC6.0 battery pack. Compatible with the M18 line, the hammer also attaches to the M18 Fuel Hammervac 1-1/8-in. dedicated dust extractor.

www. milwaukeetool.ca

www. dewalt.ca

Thermal Videoscopes Teledyne FLIR has added two kits to its family of VS290 Thermal Camera Videoscopes. The VS290-33 Thermal MSX Videoscope Kit features a rounded, dual-thermal-visible probe for greater flexibility in situations requiring a CAT IV rating. The VS290-21 allows thermal-only building, mechanical and electrical inspections in hard-to-reach areas. Both kits are compatible with FLIR Thermal Studio Suite software.

www. flir.ca

Snap Knife The KNIPEX CutiX universal snap knife features a stabilization bar to keep the blade from bending, allowing for more efficient, precise cutting. The knife includes a hardened steel pin to secure the blade, a lightweight magnesium housing with a non-slip gripping surface, and two blades stored in the handle. It works with all 18-mm. snap-off blades.

www. knipex-tools.com

Digital Alert

Pricing software

Procure Industries introduces Quick Capture, a smarter more connected platform for the global construction industry, connecting employees, workflows, data and tools. The voiceenabled input technology features artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate and simplify data entry in the field. With Quick Capture on the punch tool users can also capture a video of punch items which Procure uses to create a punch item, attach a photo and assign it.

80

MB General 02.22v2.indd 1

procore.com

M e c h a n i c a l

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 1

2022-01-27 5:10 PM

Thank you...

to our readers for being there for Canada during COVID

THank you ads Final #3v3.indd 3

2021-09-24 3:04 PM

HVAC

By Me l i s s a H o l s b e r g

FLOOD RECOVERY:

A GUIDE FOR HOME HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS

T

o state the obvious, a heating and cooling system was not designed to operate in or under water. If a property was flooded, it is highly recommended that an HVAC technician inspect the home’s heating and cooling system.

1

Should a homeowner start their HVAC system after a flood?

Appearances can be deceiving. Although an HVAC system might look the same as before the flood, there may be serious issues and concerns that are not obvious to the untrained eye. Since the flood impacts on a system are unknown, it is highly recommended that you advise the homeowner to not start their HVAC system before you perform a full inspection.

Split systems have a condenser coil, wires and piping between the indoor and outdoor parts of the system. If the unit was running when flooding occurred, electrical components might be damaged. Fuses, wiring, and circuits may malfunction when they come in contact with water. Flood water is often a mixture of dirt, grime, and debris that may adhere to the condenser coil. If the condenser coil was exposed to flood waters, the equipment’s designed efficiency level might be severely reduced. A dirty, inefficient coil may also lead to premature failure given the extra effort required to heat or cool a home.

2

After a flooding event, should an HVAC system be repaired or replaced?

HVAC systems are designed and engineered to operate under certain conditions, obviously underwater is not one of those conditions.

Because so many heating and cooling components could be affected by flood water, it may be a better choice to replace the HVAC equipment.

According to the Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), “Flood-damaged heating and cooling equipment and systems should be replaced and not repaired.”

“It is important to realize that every home’s circumstance and HVAC system requires a caseby-case professional assessment,” says Michael Ragan, residential outdoor and packaged units product manager with Goodman Manufacturing.

He experienced numerous flooding events while living in New Orleans, LA. “An HVAC technician should make specific recommendations on each system’s particular circumstances.”

74

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_Flooding02.22v3.indd 76

3

How might a flooding event impact outdoor HVAC equipment?

Indoor equipment must be checked for moisture in and around the valves, electrical components, and controls.

B u s i n e s s

“If flood water has moved the HVAC equipment, even a small amount, there is the potential for a breached refrigerant system,” says Ragan. In that case, the heat pump or air conditioning system will most likely require a major repair or full replacement.

4

How may a flood impact indoor HVAC equipment?

If there is any question whether flood water has reached the indoor HVAC equipment, the system should have a full inspection.

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-27 5:14 PM

3

5

What about ductwork?

If a homeowner has a forced-air HVAC system that has experienced flood damage, pay attention to their ductwork. Ductwork that has been in contact with flood water should not be salvaged and should be replaced. It is extremely difficult to decontaminate ductwork that has been exposed to flood water or other related conditions. Doing a thorough job will require disassembling the ductwork. These ductwork repairs may also give you the opportunity to upgrade materials, properly seal ductwork joints, improve insulation.

6

What should an HVAC technician do after a flood?

After the floodwaters have subsided, a full HVAC system inspection should be performed. Ask the homeowner questions to determine the following: the depth of the water that flooded the property and/or home; the length of time the unit was underwater; and if the unit was running when the flooding occurred.

Necessary flood inspection steps may vary based on individual circumstances. However, depending on the circumstances, your service may include: Natural gas furnaces have valves and controls that may be vulnerable to water damage from floods.

Ductwork repairs may provide an opportunity to upgrade materials, properly seal ductwork joints and improve insulation.

Damage may not be easy to detect, especially if the outside of the device is clean and dry. Corrosion may begin inside the valves, electrical components, and controls, which is not immediately apparent or visible. At a minimum, this type of damage can result in immediate operational and long-term reliability problems.

• •

Cleaning flood residue from coils

•

Checking all electrical and refrigeration connections for both indoor and outdoor units, including all control circuits

•

Cleaning, drying and disinfecting the refrigerant system if it remained intact

• • •

Inspecting gas valves and ductwork

Inspecting the heating and cooling system electrical components

Identifying components that need repair Recommending a system replacement, as necessary

Ragan emphasizes that technicians should make specific recommendations for restoring indoor comfort on a case-by-case basis. “In some cases, a homeowner’s HVAC system may only need a good coil cleaning and minor electrical panel components replaced,” says Ragan. “In other circumstances, the home may need a full indoor comfort system replacement.”

Service may include checking all electrical and refrigeration connections for both indoor and outdoor units, including all control circuits.

Melissa Holsberg is senior marketing manager with Goodman Manufacturing Company, L.P.

RESOURCE - AHRI. (2021, November 30). Floods and HVACR Equipment. Retrieved from AHRI: https://www.ahrinet.org

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_Flooding02.22v3.indd 77

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

67 75

2022-01-27 5:14 PM

www.ciph.com

alves.com

www.aerco.com

40 MODELS

www.jimpattison ELECTRONICS www.hbxcontrols.com WATER CLOSET

38 ACCESSO

Over 45 Years of Manufact

THE INFO PAGE PAGE #

PAGE #

PAGE #

50

13

49

www.aquatech-canada.com

PAGE #

PAGE #

www.giantinc.com PAGE #

PAGE #

PAGE #

51

23

5

www.belimo.ca

134

PAGE #

PAGE #

PAGE #

43

69

30

PAGE #

47

15

www.hi-velocity.com

www.camus-hydronics.com

PAGE #

26

25

www.honeywell-refrigerants.com PAGE #

PAGE #

59

63

www.climatecare.com

www.ipexna.com

Precision Plumbing Prod AGE #

Division of PJL Industries, Inc. 802 SE 199th 65Ave, - Portland, Oregon 97233 T (503) 256-4010 - F (503) 253-8165 - www.

www.pppinc.net PAGE #

19

www.reedmfgco.com PAGE #

PAGE #

57

37

26

www.laars.com

www.rscool.com

PAGE #

PAGE #

21

11

www.daikincomfort.com

www.malcoproducts.com

PAGE #

79

www.serenity.luxury

PAGE #

PAGE #

PAGE #

17

7

55

www.navieninc.com

www.desco.ca

www.sharkbite.com

PAGE #

PAGE #

PAGE #

12

59

32

www.eccosupply.ca

MB_Adlist0222v2.indd 1

27

PAGE #

www.cmpxshow.com

M e c h a n i c a l

PAGE #

OXFORD ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC.

www.oxfordenergy.ca

PAGE #

www.carrier.com

76

www.ontor.com

www.haiercanada.ca PAGE #

www.drainbrain.com

www.oatey.ca

www.cleancomfort.com

www.caleffi.com

or.

www.ntiboilers.com

www.nexstarnetwork.com

www.tacocomfortsolutions.com

PAGE #

PAGE #

PAGE #

2

61

14

www.novowater.com

B u s i n e s s

www.thermopan.ca

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-28 9:16 AM

ww.jimpattisonlease.com

www.lochinvar.com

www.mifab.com

PAGE #

PAGE #

45

80

www.watts.ca

www.triangletube.com PAGE #

PAGE #

35

41

www.viessmann.ca

OF

Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE) March 8 – 11 Milan, Italy mcexpocomfort.it

Supporting Women in Trades Conference June 2 – 3 St. John’s, NL caf-fca.org

Gala in Support of Habitat for Humanity March 22 Toronto, ON ciph.com

CIPH ABC June 19 – 21 Jasper, AB ciph.com

CMPX March 23 – 25 Toronto, ON cmpxshow.com NCI High Performance HVAC Summit March 27 – 31 Scottsdale, AZ gotosummit.com ABMA Boiler Technology Conference & Expo April 11-13 Dallas, TX boiler2022.com MEET (Mechanical Electrical Electronic Technology) Show May 4 – 5 Moncton, NB meetshow.ca National Apprenticeship Conference May 29 – 31 Halifax, NS caf-fca.org

Call us to advertise in upcoming issues!

Contact Kyle Badder

T: 416.735.1375

EVENTS The Canadian Hydronics Conference September 27 – 28 Saskatoon, SK ciph.com Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada Conference September 28 – October 1 Halifax, NS mcac.ca

13th International Industrial Ventilation Conference for Contaminant Control June 22 – 24 Toronto, ON ashrae.org

Chillventa October 11 – 13 Nuremberg, Germany chillventa.de/en/

ASHRAE Annual Conference June 25 – 29 Toronto, ON ashrae.org

Unless specified otherwise, events are in-person. For the most current information regarding event status visit mechanicalbusiness.com.

World Refrigeration Day June 26 Around the world worldrefrigerationday.org International Federation of Hospital Engineering International Conference September 17 – 22 Toronto, ON ches.org

GOT AN EVENT? SPREAD THE WORD! If your organization has a conference, trade show or other event coming up, send details to kerry.turner@mechanicalbusiness.com See it all online at www.mechanicalbusiness.com

ASPE Convention & Expo September 16 – 21 Indianapolis, IN expo.aspe.org

M e c h a n i c a l

MB_Adlist0222v2.indd 2

www.stelpro.com

Kyle.Badder@mechanicalbusiness.com

www.wilo-canada.com

2022 CALENDAR

www.riello.com

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

67 77

2022-01-27 5:24 PM

BTN

Compiled by Mechanical Business

BY THE NUMBERS

HOME HEATING 1,147 The average dollar amount Canadians spend on electricity to heat their homes. They spend an average of $610 on natural gas.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN 01/25/1924 The first day of the International Winter Sports Week in Chamonix, France, later known as the first Winter Games. Two hundred and fifty eight athletes from 16 countries participated, and Norway took the top medal count with 17.

109 Number of events at the current Winter Olympic Games in seven sports and 15 disciplines.

22 Number of Olympic medals Canada has won for hockey.

95 Miles per hour a bobsled can reach.

COMFORT FOOD

Percentage of Canadian households using furnaces as their main heating system. Twenty-four per cent use electric baseboard heating, and eight per cent use boilers.

51 Percentage of households in PEI which use a boiler with hot water or steam radiators, more than any other province.

171,505 Number of households across Canada that use alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power.

GET MOVING 2.5 million Estimated number of skiers and snowboarders in Canada.

14.2 Percentage of Canadians over the age of 12 who participate in skiing and snowboarding.

86 Average additional calories people consume per day in fall and winter compared to spring, with the highest body weight occurring during winter.

65 Percentage of Canadians who said soup is their winter well-being meal, according to a 2020 Angus Reid survey. Spaghetti and meatballs were chosen by 46 per cent of respondents, casseroles and chili by 43 per cent, and grilled cheese and tomato soup by 42 per cent.

47

56

1,000,000+ Approximate number of Canadians who curl, according to Curling Canada, at more than 1,100 clubs across the country.

1511 Date inscribed on the oldest curling stone ever found, discovered in a pond in Dunblane, Scotland.

7,860 Number of indoor and outdoor hockey rinks in Canada according to a 2020 Statista survey (based on information from the International Ice Hockey Federation), the most in the world. The United States is second with 2,050 rinks.

1.3 million Number of Canadians who actively participate in recreational ice hockey.

Percentage of Canadian households that use natural gas as their main heating fuel. Thirty-seven per cent use electricity, nine per cent use oil, six per cent use wood or wood pellets, and one per cent use propane.

78

MB_BTN 02.22v2.indd 1

M e c h a n i c a l

B u s i n e s s

0 2 . 2 2

2022-01-27 5:26 PM

#GameChanger In a world with infinite possibilities, why settle for ordinary?

Introducing a geometrical #GameChanger, the all new Hex shower drain from Serenity™.

Beautifully crafted, undeniably extraordinary.

Find a dealer

@serenity_luxury

MB Senenity Hex Ad Nov-Dec 2021 - Final High Res.indd 1 MB OS&Bjjm.indd 1

www.serenity.luxury

2022-01-28 2:57 PM 2022-01-28 3:09 PM

Control the Power of Water

• Continuously monitors for potential catastrophic flood condition

The New Standard for Plumbing Connected technology and IoT-enabled products are not the future. They’re here.

SentryPlus Alert™ Technology by Watts uses these innovations to detect and protect against excessive Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) discharge.

• Automatically shuts off water supply • Provides real time multichannel alerts: call, text, email • Available as an upgrade kit, in conjunction with a backflow or ACV, or as a complete system

Watts.com/ FloodProtectionSystem

AD-SentryPlus_MB JAN 22.indd 1 MB WATTSjjm.indd 1

1/20/22 2:15 PM 2022-01-20 5:22 PM