Mechanical Business July/August 2018

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Also in this issue: A P P L I C A T I O N S

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T E C H N O L O G I E S AUGUST 2018

Colin Finney

OF PIPES AND PRINCESSES HOT ROD’S TOP 10 HOLOHAN ON PUMPS DREAMING OF SNOWMELT GROWTH THROUGH EDUCATION

• • • •

A sopping wet supplement of Mechanical Business

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Me chanical

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CONTENTS O F

66COVER FEATURE

F E A T U R E S 57COMMERCIAL VEHICLES: TRUCKS Changes picking up momentum Howard J. Elmer

62 HVAC The right tools can make all the difference Mark Parliament

Busine ss

Robert Wickens:

Racing on a family’s passion

68PLUMBING Tackling tankless DHW Jason Fleming A P P L I C A T I O N S

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

Cover Photo: John Woods

AUGUST 2018

33WET HEAT

Colin Finney

OF PIPES AND PRINCESSES HOT ROD’S TOP 10 HOLOHAN ON PUMPS DREAMING OF SNOWMELT GROWTH THROUGH EDUCATION

• • • •

A sopping wet supplement of Mechanical Business

Race car driver Robert Wickens is in his first full IndyCar season, but he’s no stranger to racing. His path to the IndyCar cockpit has been long in the making, and he’s not one to take things for granted. He and his family have worked too long and hard for that.

Adam Freill

It’s hot outside, so let’s talk hydronics. Actually, summer is an ideal time to get to work on those heating systems that have to be ready to work when the snow flies, so it’s a perfect time to check out the second of our biannual Wet Heat supplements! Turn to page 33 for the latest in hydronic products, news and features!

www.mechanicalbusiness.com

MB SPECIALISTS 18REFRIGERATION Metering refrigerant Phil Boudreau

PRODUCTS 28HVAC/R 54,55Hydronics

74QUATTRO’S CORNER What’s cooking in that kitchen?

Andrew Quattrociocchi

76EVENT IN PICTURES CIPH ABC 2018 Adam Freill

22PLUMBING Avoiding frosty pipes Fred Bretzke

72Plumbing 78Stuff you need

26ASK ROGER Building strong relationships Roger Grochmal 30HVAC Improving air distribution for better comfort Gord Cooke

40HYDRONICS We’re gonna need a bigger pump Dan Holohan

46HYDRONICS Out of the box, and into the machine Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr

80MARKETING Re-examining Radio Doug MacMillan

DEPARTMENTS 04From the Editor’s Desk 06News 16Profile: Sandy MacLeod 50Find the Fix 84The Info Page 85Calendar 86By the Numbers

On the cover: After 12 years of mainly driving in (and winning) races in Europe, Canadian IndyCar driver Robert Wickens finally had a home race at this year’s Honda Indy Toronto. Photo: Courtesy of INDYCAR

FROM Content Media Group Inc. 19 – 1525 Cornwall Road Oakville, ON L6J 0B2 Canada Tel: 905.465.2919 Fax: 905.465.2913 www.mechanicalbusiness.com July/August 2018 Issue Published 6 times per year.

Editor: Adam Freill, ext. 224 adam.freill@mechanicalbusiness.com National Sales Manager: Jeff Superle, ext. 221 jeff.superle@mechanicalbusiness.com Controller: Liz Mills liz.mills@mechanicalbusiness.com Office Manager: Caroline Bexfield, ext. 227 caroline.bexfield@mechanicalbusiness.com Art Direction: JJM Graphic Ltd. davem@jjmgraphic.com Circulation Manager: Shila Naik (905) 272-4175 shila.naik@mechanicalbusiness.com Publisher: Bruce Meacock, ext. 222 bruce.meacock@mechanicalbusiness.com

THE

EDITOR’S

DESK

When governments pick favourites, we all tend to lose Watching the on, partially on, likely off scenario of green incentives in my home province of Ontario has had me reflecting on the issue of governments picking favourites when it comes to technologies to incentivize, and how often government agendas have caused turmoil for industries and end consumers.

Visit us online Want to stay in the know, even during your summer vacation?

Catch up on the latest news on our website, mechanicalbusiness.com, and be sure to follow @MechBusiness on Twitter.

Over the past several months we’ve seen a program to push heat pump technology go from an incentive plan targeting all homes in Ontario, to a small subset of homes in the province, to a likely cancellation for all but those already in the pipeline from that small subset.

Considering that wholesalers need to plan out seasonal purchase agreements with manufacturers, and manufacturers need to adjust production long ahead of demand, I don’t think I need to delve into the challenges that the constantly changing incentive plan presented to our sector suppliers.

And the picking of favoured technologies is not just an issue in Ontario where we’ve just seen a considerable swing in political will with the recent provincial election.

Municipal governments, provincial governments and the federal government have all spent time trying to push consumers down specific pathways.

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At least one municipality is proposing to reduce the allowable flow rate of kitchen faucets to 6.8 L/min from the current 8.3. If that flies, consumers will end up spending more time filling sinks for dishwashing and pots for cooking, possibly having to use more water as they try to keep dishwashing water hot.

Unfortunately, the push often stems from special interest groups or pet projects of a few individuals, and the reluctance to involve or, at times, listen to the full range of stakeholders is why they so often fail.

One-size-fits-all attempts at energy and resource conservation o chestrated by or by politicians are often too simplistic to fit the orchestrated co ompleex world wo orld in which we live. complex Ultimately, it’s up to the consumer to buy into technologies, be and I like to believe that most will make good choices if h industry helps guide them to products that make sense the applications. By being a trusted expert for their for cu customers, we can help balance the fiscal real realities of the end users of products, the need for co conservation efforts and the desire to minimize potential for environmental harm.

From time to time, Content Media Group Inc. makes subscribers’ names available to reputable companies whose products or services may be of interest to readers. If you would like your name excluded from these mailings, please notify the publisher. © Copyright 2018. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission of the publisher.

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Until next time,

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News www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Noble BBQ a resounding success

Looking for fresh approaches

The T-shirts and autographs were flying off the shelves as GTA-based wholesaler Noble welcomed more than 1,000 contractors to its annual customer appreciation barbecue. This year’s event, held on June 22 at the company’s headquarters in Concord, Ont., also doubled as a 25th anniversary Noble general manager Jim celebration, complete with Anderson (left) welcomed former gifts and a cake. Over 30 of the Toronto Maple Leafs captain Doug wholesaler’s vendors also took Gilmour, and more than 1,000 contractors, to the company’s 25th part, showcasing their products anniversary celebration. and answering questions from the numerous installers who dropped in for a burger, the 2018 T-shirt and an autograph from NHL Hall of Famer, and former Leafs captain, Doug Gilmour. noble.ca

Inspectors meet in St. Catharines “The human body at rest transfers heat at a rate of 400 BTUs per hour,” explained Gilles Legault of CB Supplies during his hydronic systems presentation, one of several presentations given at the Ontario Plumbing Inspectors Association’s 2018 Annual Meeting and Education Seminar (AMES), held in St. Catharines in mid-June. He explained that Rainier Blundel outlines some the goal of a heating or cooling of the pitfalls to watch for when inspecting a plumbing system system is to create equilibrium during OPIA’s AMES 2018 by transferring heat via radiation, conference. evaporation, convection and conduction, with comfort being achieved by finding the balance point for the individual as they interact with their environment. In addition to the hydronic discussion, speakers also spoke in depth about plumbing systems and how they work, or should work if they are designed and used appropriately. www.opia.info

“The foundations of HRAI are strong,” stated newly minted president of HRAI, Sandy MacLeod, as he took to the microphone to introduce himself at the May meeting of HRAI’s GTA Chapter. “I think HRAI does an amazing job of delivering the programs we offer,” he said, adding that the aim is to be open to new ways of augmenting programs or delivery in the ever-changing world of business. Also speaking during the meeting was George Gritziotis (pictured), the registrar and CEO of the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT). Gritziotis offered up some frank and open discussion about some of the pain points that the organization has endured over its first five years of existence, sharing his hope for a collaborative approach moving forward as OCOT strives to meet the varying needs of its members and the business community. hrai.ca

Eden attracts a crowd in Guelph In May, over 170 contractors and engineers visited Eden Energy’s training facility in Guelph, Ont., for a day-long higher education class on advanced hydronics with industry trainer John Siegenthaler. The training was the third consecutive year that the company welcomed John. This year’s course focused on such topics as retrofitting to modern condensing boilers, working with variable-speed pumps, and designing for Net Zero using heat pumps, geothermal and air. edenenergy.com

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Masco launches suites

Scott McDonald of Johnson Controls Canada (left) discusses his company’s Verasys light commercial controls system during a break between presentations.

Seeking a single pane in IoT “When you work with multiple vendors, you get data silos,” advised Savio Lee, the Internet of Things (IoT) business manager with Ingram Micro during Yorkland Controls’ Connections Conference, held in Richmond Hill in late June. “By connecting to all of our vendors, we create a data link.” The idea, he said, is to create “a single pane of glass” through which the full building’s systems, including HVAC and lighting, can be monitored and adjusted. Lee was one of six speakers who offered insights during the event, which also featured tabletop displays and on-site experts willing to answer questions from the more than 130 engineers in attendance.

Masco Canada hosted more than 200 guests, including designers, architects and contractors, for an exclusive customer event at Quai du Cap-Blanc in Quebec City on May 15. The evening was an opportunity for guests to interact with the latest products from the company’s Delta, Brizo, Hansgrohe, Axor, Delta Commercial and BrassCraft lines, and featured the launch of Hansgrohe’s Metropol suite and Delta’s Solar lavatory and Solar flush valve products. mascocanada.com

yorkland.net

Hit CIPHEX West, on us!

Registration has opened for the CIPHEX West show, scheduled for November 7 and 8 at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park in Calgary. Western Canada’s biggest show for HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, hydronics and water treatment, the event will feature more than 250 exhibitors, thousands of products and a full slate of seminars and workshops. The show will be co-located with Buildex Calgary, and attendees can access either show with a single badge.

Readers of Mechanical Business can receive free admission to the CIPHEX West trade show, a $15 savings. Just enter promo code MECHBIZ at the show’s registration website. ciphexwest.ca

Top contractors receive VIP treatment Lochinvar recently treated 16 contractors, including four from Canada, to its Nashville Experience as part of the company’s VIP Contractor loyalty program. Winners were chosen from Lochinvar’s loyalty program, which is open to contractors who install eligible products throughout the year. The trip included an all-expenses-paid trip to 2018 CMA Fest, a tour of Lochinvar’s world headquarters and a meet and greet with business leaders for each winner and their guest. Canadians on the trip included Gino Langlois of Chauffage M.D. 2007, Inc. in Trois- Rivieres, Que.; Stephane Nadeau of Plombexel in St-Hyacinthe, Que.; Robert Dufresne of Empire Heating in Rutherglen, Ont.; and Joffrey Gregoire of AG Equipement et Comfort in Saint-Lazare, Que.

Best Wishes Warren!

After 36 years of service, HRAI president Warren Heeley has officially retired. One of this industry’s builders, Heeley helped grow HRAI from a six-person organization with 350 member companies into a multidimensional association with 30 employees and almost 1,400 member companies. Best wishes Warren, and we look forward to seeing you on the beach in Mexico for HRAI’s 50th annual meeting and conference in October. hrai.ca

lochinvarvip.com M e c h a n i c a l

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House of Rohl launches with a bang Fortune Brands’ Global Plumbing Group launched its House of Rohl portfolio of brands with a special reception this past June. The gala attracted 200 plumbing product specialists, showroom consultants and industry people to the Riobel headquarters in Quebec. Offering a diverse range of faucets, shower products, accessories, bathtubs, sinks and wash basins, House of Rohl was created by Fortune Brands after its acquisition of the Riobel, Perrin & Rowe, Shaws, ROHL and Victoria + Albert brands. Styles range from contemporary to traditional across the brand portfolio. thehouseofrohl.com

Mike Breault, Watts’ senior technical instructor and senior instructional designer, shows off some of the new training modules at the Watts Works learning centre in St. Pauls, N.C.

Watts Works learning centre opens Watts Water Technologies unveiled its latest Watts Works Learning Center in May, holding a grand opening to celebrate the occasion. Located in the company’s St. Pauls, N.C. facility, the 3,000 sq. ft. training centre features classroom space as well as a lab showcasing several of the company’s technology offerings. The company will offer product training and tours to contractors and engineers wishing to learn more about its pipes, drains, valves, rainwater control stations, backflow preventers and other plumbing and heating offerings. wattswater.com

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08.18

News www.mechanicalbusiness.com

MEET a success in Moncton A total of 6,202 attendees walked the floor at the 2018 edition of the Mechanical Electrical Electronic Technology (MEET) Show, held at the Moncton Coliseum Complex in early May. “This edition of the MEET Show was a success by all measures,” said show manager, Shawn Murphy. “We saw professionals from all across Canada and the United States showcase the latest in building technology, from robots to heating units and smart home innovations, there was a lot to take in over the course of two days.”

Held every two years in Moncton, the MEET show has four sponsoring associations: Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH), Electro-Federation Canada (EFC), Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), and Atlantic Canada Mechanical Exhibitors (ACME). meetshow.ca

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Running for CHU Sainte-Justine Seventy Stelpro employees crossed the finish line of the 15th edition of MontSaint-Bruno’s Grande viree des sentiers on June 10, raising funds for the CHU SainteJustine Foundation. Through their efforts, the company amassed a donation of $17,675 for this year’s event, the eleventh consecutive in which Stelpro employees have participated. Over that time, they have managed to donate almost $190,000 to support the hospital foundation. stelpro.com

DIGITAL ALERT Infinite Comfort Pro App

Cliffe drives off in van Mike Cliffe drove away in his brand new GMC Savana van with custom racking interior by Farmbro as the grand prize winner in the CMPX ”Win A Van” contest.

His ballot was drawn at random at the conclusion of the 2018 CMPX trade show in Toronto. A mechanic at Sensible Heating & Air Conditioning in Brampton, Ont., Mike picked up his keys at Applewood Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC alongside his daughter, Nicole. cmpxshow.ca

Fujitsu General America’s Infinite Comfort Pro app is designed to help HVAC professionals find information about the company’s Halcyon mini-split and Airstage J-Series systems. The free app allows users to view product offerings and sort by SEER, BTU, and more. Contractors can create a matched single or multi-zone system, and the app will check for allowable combinations in real time. It is available for Apple or Android devices. fujitsugeneral.com

Tankless PROCard App Contractors can continuously monitor tankless water heater installations with the upgraded mobile Noritz PROCard app. Features include a live map displaying each installation’s location and error code alerts, which can be used by the installer to schedule a visit with the affected homeowner. noritz.com

You need You provide YYou provid ide answers to to customer ch challenges, hallllenges andd for more than 75 years the Little Giant® brand has provided the dependable, water-guzzling solutions. When you combine our passion with yours, together we help prevent unnecessary damage to their valuables by eliminating unwanted water collection before it starts.

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Movers & Shakers www.mechanicalbusiness.com

B.C. facility on the move As the result of growth in Western Canada, Dobbin Sales B.C. has made the move to a larger facility.

The new Dobbin Coquitlam warehouse will supply customers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C. It is located at 91 Golden Drive, unit 5 in Coquitlam, B.C., and can be reached at tel. 604-525-1090.

Master Group p grows g in Western Canada

Ontor distributing Refco

Following its acquisition of all the shares of Saskatchewan distributor Davies Supply Group Ltd., the Master Group is continuing its expansion in Western Canada with the opening of a branch in Winnipeg. The purchase of Davies Supply’s operations, includes the head office in Saskatoon and two branches in Calgary and Lethbridge, Alta. The 16,000-sq.-ft. Winnipeg branch is located at 2065 Logan Avenue, Unit 7, in Winnipeg, and can be reached at Tel. 204-632-9030. master.ca

Ontor Limited recently announced that the company is now distributing for Refco Manufacturing. Refco’s product offerings include refrigeration tools, instruments, condensate pumps, gauges, leak detection products, and a number of other items in the air conditioning segment.

Aqua-Tech q representing p Security Chimneys

dobbinsales.com

ontor.com

Equipco and Spectrum expand relationship Spectrum Brands recently expanded its partnership with G.S Equipco Ltd. to assume sales for the Pfister and Fortis brands in Atlantic Canada.

Spectrum Brands and Equipco have been working together in Western Canada since 2016. spectrumbrands.com

RWC buys John Guest Reliance Worldwide Corporation, parent company of such brands as SharkBite, Cash Acme and Holdrite, has acquired all the issued shares of John Guest Holdings Limited for just under C$1.2 billion. Reliance is a global manufacturer and supplier of engineered water delivery and control products for residential and commercial plumbing applications and is well-known for its SharkBite brass Push-to-Connect (PTC) plumbing fittings. John Guest, which is headquartered in the U.K., is a manufacturer of plastic PTC fittings and distributes products worldwide. rwc.com

Security Chimneys and Aqua-Tech Sales and Marketing have announced a strategic sales and marketing partnership for the Greater Golden Horseshoe Territory in Ontario. Aqua-Tech AIR has taken on Security Chimneys’ line of industrial-strength chimneys, which are designed for Category I, II, III and IV heating boilers and domestic water boilers. aquatech-canada.com

OS&B names new rep OS&B has appointed Quadra Sales and Marketing as its representative for Manitoba and the Lakehead region in Ontario. Quadra will represent all OS&B products, including the company’s bronte collection, Oasis, Thermasol and WasteMaid products. To contact Quadra, reach out to Blake Thompson at blake@quadrasales.ca. osb.ca

New HQ for Next In n late June, Next Plumbing and Hydronics Supply opened its newest facility, located at 300 Galcat Drive in Vaughan, Ont. The company’s 11th location, the building includes a 120,000 sq. ft. warehouse, a pick-up counter, as well as the company’s head office. nextsupply.ca

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Always a step ahead

08.18

People in the news www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Chris Rock is the new director of sales and marketing for Canada at WATTS WATER TECHNOLOGIES (CANADA) INC. Rock has more than 10 years of experience in sales, market development and finance, most recently serving as a director at a metal processing firm. He will be based out of Watts’ Canadian offices in Burlington, Ont.

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Gary Barrington (1) recently joined MASCO CANADA LIMITED’s trade sales team as a business development manager for the commercial segment. Also joining that division is John Chin (2), who is responsible for managing the Western region, which includes Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

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1

2

Justin Tan (1) is now a territory sales manager with GOODMAN CANADA with responsibility for Vancouver. Also at Goodman, D.J. Valera 3 (2) has taken on the position of territory sales manager for the company’s Burnaby location. And Mike Radovanovic (3) is now branch manager of the company’s newest location, in Barrie, Ont. With almost 20 years in the fire protection industry in the Greater Toronto Area, Fabio Palermo has joined ANVIL INTERNATIONAL CANADA, as a sales rep for Ontario.

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Andrew Bonnema (1) recently joined AQUATECH SALES & MARKETING’s Aqua-Tech AIR as a technical sales representative servicing and supporting the Greater Golden Horseshoe Territory for the Security Chimneys product offering. Also joining Aqua-Tech is David Hills (2), as a technical support representative for Lochinvar, Xylem and Security Chimneys lines.

SPECTRUM BRANDS has named Lisa Pratt as its national sales manager for its wholesale plumbing division. Based out of Edmonton, she has more than 20 years experience in sales and leadership in the wholesale plumbing industry.

Valerie Malone has been named president and general manager of LIXIL CANADA. Malone joined LIXIL Canada in 2017 as vicepresident of marketing.

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In June, Pierre-Yves Martin joined STELPRO as the company’s national retail sales director. In his role, he leads the retail sales team, manages new market development and maintains relationships with external business partners.

B&B TRADE DISTRIBUTION CENTRE recently announced that the company has adjusted its structure, resulting in the naming of three new vice-president roles. Robb Howe, formerly the company’s general manager, is now vice-president of finance and supply chain. Rob Kearns, who had been the sales and marketing manager, is vice-president of business development. And Brian Hibbert, previously the operations manager, is vicepresident of operations. Johnstone Supply B&B also welcomed Robert Ferris as the sales manager for the company. Ferris has 30 years of HVAC experience in business development and product management and brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role.

Djamel Zemmouri was recently named inside sales representative at ONTOR LIMITED’s Toronto office. He has a mechanical engineering background and brings more than 10 years of sales and customer service experience to his new role.

Douglas Maybury recently joined UPONOR as a sales representative for the Greater Toronto Area.

His responsibilities include serving the residential and commercial markets, including national builder accounts.

Regis Saragosti has been named North American CEO for SFA SANIFLO, gaining responsibility for the Canadian, United States and Mexican business sectors. Saragosti previously served as the CEO of Saniflo USA for more than 10 years.

08.18

Profile Sandy MacLeod: Finding balance in leadership and volunteers with welcoming him and preparing him for the tasks that will be facing him in the coming months.

“I’d like to thank everyone for the warm welcome that I’ve received,” he said as he sat down with Mechanical Business during his second week on the job.

“Warren has been amazing. I could not have asked for a better shortterm mentor.”

Photo: John Packman

Bringing a solid history of business management skills, a long track record with associations and a joie de vivre to his new role of HRAI president, Sandy MacLeod is focused on getting a handle on as many industry issues as quickly as he can. That task is considerable, given the wide range of programs operating under the association’s umbrella, but he’s a quick study.

Having joined HRAI only a handful of weeks ago, he’s also been quick to credit retiring president Warren Heeley and the association’s staff

Q A

What attracted you to this opportunity?

Q A

How has the transition and on-boarding process been so far?

Name: Sandy MacLeod Title: President Organization: HRAI Age: 54 Born in: Truro, N.S. Resides in: Toronto Family: Wife Michelle and daughter Kaylie

What are some of the challenges facing the HVAC/R sector that you have started to investigate?

The types of things I am hearing include environmental issues, the future of refrigerants, ongoing issues of code development and representing the industry as those changes are happening, and issues around careers in HVAC and apprenticeship ratios. There are multiple files that are very active.

Q A

What are some of your guiding principles for leadership?

FAST FACTS ABOUT SANDY 1. Sandy is a closet Red Sox fan. “In Nova Scotia, all of our television came out of New England. I grew up watching Boston.”

2. He enjoys a good cigar. “The nice thing about a cigar is that you cannot rush it.”

3. An avid reader, he always has a couple of books on the go.

M e c h a n i c a l

I joked with people in my first few days that I had never seen so many acronyms. I think the thing that I have been most impressed with is that people have just been wonderful. Everywhere I’ve gone and everyone I’ve talked to, I find that people are doing their best to welcome me and involve me. And it’s nice to see a healthy industry.

Q A

BIO

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When I left Torstar, I decided that I didn’t want to pursue media. Most of my background has been with logistics and management, I have broad business skills, and I’ve been on a bunch of boards, so I think that was the linking between the general business abilities and associations.

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Strategy is as much what you choose not to do as what you choose to do. And I think that personal success is where the connection of knowledge, ambition and common sense all come together.

Balancing those three things is good advice for anyone in life. When it comes to managing a team, I believe in collaboration, communication and accountability. That’s a recipe for a highperforming team.

In other arenas, the bend of this blade would be assessed a two-minute minor.

What’s the secret of the superior efficiency and quiet operation of Napoleon’s 16 SEER central air conditioner? It’s unique Swet Fan Blade technology. With a distinct shape, aluminum blades and a plated steel hub. The 16 SEER until has a lower vibration level, which leads to a more silent operation. It’s also backed by a 10 year limited compressor and parts warranty, assuring you of summer comfort for years to come. napoleonheatingandcooling.com

REFRIGERATION

METERING REFRIGERANT in modern applications T

he use of electronic expansion valves [EEVs] has been growing in popularity around the world for many years, and that trend is taking hold here in North America as well, so let’s delve into some of the features of these valves, as well as why they are being used more and more to replace thermostatic expansion valves (TXVs) in refrigerant metering applications, especially with R410A and carbon dioxide systems.

How EEVs work The EEV is mechanically driven by a stepper motor that receives its drive signals from a separate control board that is hard-wired to the valve.

Stepper motors offer very precise control as they can allow a valve to move in very small and equal steps.

Of course, they also need to be able to reverse their direction so that a valve can both open and close.

EEV manufacturers use different techniques to obtain precise flow control of the refrigerant, but they all work to enable the flow of refrigerant to be linearly proportional to the positioning of the valve. This contrasts with many other types of valve control techniques.

A type of slider mechanism moves up or down as the motor turns. The sliding mechanism does not turn with the motor and the EEV does not use a needle and seat as would be found in TXVs. Since the valve is controlled by a separate control board or module, this gives us much more control over the valve. For example, TXVs are constant-superheat valves.

However, electric valves can also be controlled via algorithms, enabling them to be used in many applications as evaporator pressure regulators, crankcase pressure regulators, hot gas bypass regulators, heat reclaim regulators, head pressure regulators, etc.

There are other advantages with having a controller that is installed in a location that is remote from the valve. Consider a freezer, for example. When the technician enters

Phil Boudreau

M e c h a n i c a l

Since an EEV can close off tightly, in theory it could also serve as the liquid shut-off solenoid. It is a good idea to have some alternate means for manually closing the liquid line, however, so that the system can be pumped down for service.

Consider what would happen in a situation where the EEV itself needs to be serviced or replaced.

the room to adjust the superheat, the temperature of the room will start to rise.

This is especially the case with smaller rooms that have a high air-changeover rate whenever the door opens. This may have an impact on the technician’s ability to adjust the superheat accurately.

I should also mention that manually adjusting expansion valves in lowtemperature rooms, in the -40°C range, is not usually a lot of fun.

Phil is the Ontario sales manager for Bitzer Canada Inc. and provides training and technical support for Bitzer’s clientele. He can be contacted at:

pboudreau@bitzer.ca.

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Refillabl Refi ble bl e cy yli lind nder nd errs av avai a la labl ble e in Canada.

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REFRIGERATION

CO2 and other high-pressure systems

ACCURACY COUNTS Since these valves use a stepper motor that can travel a few thousand revolutions, it is easy to adjust the position of the valve very accurately. Each revolution results in a very small change in valve position.

The temperature sensors used with electronic devices tend to be much smaller in size than refrigerant-charged bulbs, so this also contributes to a faster response to changes in refrigerant temperature leaving the evaporator.

In addition to the temperature sensor, a pressure transducer is used for sensing the pressure at the evaporator outlet. The pressure to electronic transducer also contributes to a good level of accuracy.

QUICK TIP When using an EEV, the controller needs to be programmed for the specific refrigerant used in the system so that the correct superheat can be maintained. This is a very useful feature since one valve can be used in a myriad of applications.

EEVs offer the capability of operating at higher pressures. This is what enables them to be used with such refrigerants as R410A and R744.

In addition to its higher pressure, CO2 refrigerant has some very unique properties compared with halocarbon refrigerants.

For example, in the suction line, pressure drop has a much smaller impact on the saturation temperature. Looking at a system with a saturated suction pressure (SST) of -40°F, it takes a pressure drop of 3 psi to result in a 1°F drop in SST. With R404A, a pressure drop of 0.5 psi will produce a 1°F drop in SST. At higher evaporating temperatures, the pressure drops required to result in a 1°F drop in SST are even larger. At 40°F, it takes around 8 psi and 1.7 psi to reduce the SST of CO2 and R404A respectively.

Consider a droplet of liquid CO2 at the outlet of the evaporator. There are two things that can happen that will result in the vaporization of this

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A technician-friendly feature Many EEV designs incorporate a liquid sight glass. This enables the technician to view the movement of both the refrigerant and valve mechanism.

droplet: the addition of heat or the reduction of pressure.

However, since CO2 has a high latent heat and is less impacted by slight pressure drops in the suction line, it is likely that this droplet of liquid will arrive at the compressor suction.

groups. This is usually necessary for good control of both the subcritical and transcritical stages in this type of system.

Carbon dioxide has a latent heat that is considerably greater than halocarbon refrigerants.

Of course, EEVs can also do this, however the EEV may be a better choice in these types of situations when sized with the entire range of load in mind. Just remember that we still need to ensure proper oil travel through the system, even during low load conditions.

For single-stage systems where only one compressor and one evaporator are used, a TXV will have a tendency to overfeed during periods of low load.

In fact, it is anywhere from 55 to 68 per cent greater than R404A within an evaporating temperature range of -45° to 0°F. And CO2 has a very high solubility in polyolester (POE) oil, hence the requirement for very good superheat control in the evaporator.

When installed and programmed correctly, EEVs can provide a more stable control of superheat throughout a wide range of load and high-to-low-side pressure differences.

The EEV has widespread acceptance as a very good fit for applications employing CO2 but, as always, please be sure to program the controller correctly to ensure the correct flow of refrigerant to the evaporator during all applicable modes of operation. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer of the valve for support.

Like other controllers, an EEV will only do what it is told to do via the instructions or settings that you program into it.

Most CO2 booster systems use variable-speed drive compressors to vary the displacement of both suction

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By Fred Bretzke

Fred Bretzke is a full-time pipe trades instructor with SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary and the general manager of A&B Plumbing & Heating. He can be reached at fred.bretzke@sait.ca.

PLUMBING

AVOIDING

PIPES

It’s summertime, so it’s warm enough that I don’t mind cracking open my archive of cold-weather stories. Keep them in mind the next time you hear someone complaining about how hot it’s been this year. Winter will be here soon enough. Enjoy the heat while you can.

THE OLD-SCHOOL WAY TO THAW PIPES Here we go again, the old bucket thawing machine is coming out to play.

It’s another Friday night around 1985, and I’m stuck with Paul trying to thaw another frozen service in Bragg Creek.

Picture this: we are on an acreage that has a well or submersible pump feeding the house. The line is frozen somewhere between the pump 110-feet away and the house.

Back then, there wasn’t all the new technology we have now, and we couldn’t afford a weld thawing machine – heck, we weren’t even sure if they worked – so it was the bucket method for us. The method is slow but it works.

There is no water in the house except for the hot water tank, so we drain it into a bucket with a pump in it. We pull out 100 feet of quarter-inch plastic tubing and attach it to the pump. Then we slowly disconnect the compression joint on the 1” copper service valve (main water shut off) and open the line.

It’s frozen, so no water comes out.

Then we slowly start pushing the 1/4” plastic tubing down the service until we hit the frozen part.

On this job, we pushed the tubing a good 40 feet before it came to a halt. Now we just turn the pump on and commence pumping hot water down the plastic tubing into the frozen section.

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FRONT-PAGE NEWS! The winter of 1989 was one of the coldest winters that I can remember. I was thawing out sprinklers and mechanical systems for more than a week straight. The Calgary Herald even did a front-page article on my frozen pipe exploits as the weather averaged in the minus-30s for quite some time.

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GROOVE

Full system solution that eliminates cure time, chemicals and odors associated with traditional installation methods

Quick and easy setup

victaulic.com/cpvcsolutions © 201 VICTAULIC COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

PLUMBING

FEELING THE BURN

OLD-SCHOOL CON’T The tube actually moves into the frozen area, but very slowly, like a snail. It moves about 1” at a time.

Being a few years younger than I am now, I didn’t care if we were getting overtime to do this tedious job, I just wanted to go out on a Friday night.

Thank goodness I was working with patient Paul, who kept me there while we slowly pushed this tube down the service.

It took about four hours to push it through the frozen section. All that time I was thinking there has to be a better and more efficient way of doing this.

And it was a good thing the home had an oversized 60-gallon tank, otherwise we’d have run out of hot water.

For some strange reason, Paul waited until close to the end to let me take over. Giving me a quick lesson, he said that when you feel the tube pushing back, you pull it back quickly and rejoin the compression service valve.

This seemed easy enough, but did I ever get a soaking as the water came rushing back. At the very least, he could have turned the pump off. It took me at two or three minutes to retighten the compression valve.

That’s how we thawed frozen services back in the day.

When I was working service, one of the worst places in Calgary for frozen waterlines seemed to be either trailer parks or the old poorly insulated apartment buildings in the Bankview area of town.

We used to work in this really old building, well, old by Calgary standards. Built around 1910, we nicknamed it Hotel California, although it was more like the Hanoi Hilton.

It was chock full of cast iron drainage piping, old steam radiators, and a mix of galvanized steel, copper pipe and poly B water lines. We had all sorts of expansion and contraction problems, as a lot of the pipe was crossed between plastic, cast iron, copper and galvanized pipe without use of the expansion joints mandated by code.

Most of the piping was hard to get at, but some of it was concealed in somewhat accessible shafts and crawl spaces. It was always a crap shoot to see if you could manage to isolate any of the valves, and it was almost normal to have to shut off the entire building to do a repair job.

I knew this place would be a frozen nightmare if it got too cold, and sure enough, a service call came in saying several tenants were without water.

Scoping out the area, I see that the boiler is on full heat, just blazing away,

Plan for cold at installation THE BOTTOM LINE IS: When living in Canada, frost will always be an issue. Pipes need to insulated, kept in interior walls and deep underground so that you don’t have to rely on a mechanical means of heat to keep them warm.

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but there was so much heat loss in this building that any water pipe close to an outside wall was in jeopardy of freezing.

So, I crawl down one of the pipe chases to follow the frozen water line that apparently had a heat tracer attached to it. This is where I actually learned how not to install a heat tracer.

The heat tape, which was still plugged in, was incorrectly wrapped diagonally around the 3/4” copper pipe.

I unplugged the wire and began thawing the line with my infamous heavy-duty heat gun. The only problem was that my heat gun kept blowing the breaker on this poorly wired building.

What to do? There was at least 40 feet of frozen pipe and it was getting colder.

It was time to bring out the big guns, so I ran to my truck and carried in my acetylene Big Tip Torch.

It is a scary thing to try to thaw copper and galvanized piping in a tight wall pipe chase with an open flame, but this building took this to an extreme.

Back in 1910, wall insulation was basically newspaper – actually a Calgary newspaper from 1910 with all the really cool soap and food advertisements from back in the day, but I had no time to read them.

If just one spark from my torch fell down the newspaper-insulated wall, I would have no problem thawing the whole building. It would go up in flames like a match box.

Very carefully, I managed to thaw the complete pipe and re-heat tape it properly by installing the tape flat on the pipe.

buy it for the bottom line Some buy Moen® to enhance their properties. Others for installation that takes an average of 10 minutes less*. You? You buy it because your time adds up to real money.

SEE MORE at MOEN.CA © 2017. See moen.ca for limited warranty details. *When compared to other leading brands based on a thirdparty administrated survey of property managers and maintenance personnel, commissioned by Moen.

STō® One-Handle Pulldown Kitchen Faucet

with Roger Grochmal

Building strong relationships A

fellow contractor recently posed these questions to me:

“As HVAC and plumbing contractors, we are one of the very few services that are regularly invited into peoples’ safest places, their homes. What is the best way to build respect and trust? What are the best practices that will have customers recommending your company to friends and neighbours?”

Roger Grochmal is the CEO of AtlasCare in Oakville, Ont. To submit a question about your company, business practices, or the industry in general, send an e-mail to Mechanical Business Magazine’s editor, Adam Freill, adam.freill@ mechanicalbusiness.com.

Customer service is where it’s at By being polite, caring and helpful, you can create a customer experience that no one in your market can duplicate.

It sets up the opportunity for the homeowner to give you an online review about how well you treated them. It will also keep them from falling prey to the door knockers who are just out there to railroad them into a purchase or rental of something they don’t need. With a good relationship, they will call you first.

For all of us who provide maintenance services to our customers, this question has never been more important. The fact that some of us may do the technical stuff better than others is of little concern to the homeowner unless you can demonstrate how it adds real value for them. They just want their systems to work reliably.

What matters most is the relationship that gets established between the customer and the contractor.

This is your only point of differentiation. We have a saying on the wall of our training centre: “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Homeowners have more options than ever these days. Your relationship is what keeps them your customer, and not someone else’s.

BUILDING THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE It begins and ends with communication. Are you communicating with them the way they want you to? We are finding that more and more customers want communication by email and, increasingly, text message.

Texting isn’t just for teenagers; it’s for all of us. Homeowners lead busy lives. They want to know who’s coming to their home and when. Are you doing that well?

Poor communication is the number 1 complaint from homeowners about service companies. It’s a good practice to confirm appointments, and email and text are great for this.

Worse is the contractor who not only does not communicate, but also does not show up on time, or at all. A busy day can lead to these situations, but effective, honest communication will usually result in an understanding customer.

Once you’re there, show absolute respect for the customer’s home. Ask permission for everything, including where to park your truck. These small gestures still make a huge impression on customers.

Inform your customers about new technologies. Perhaps they could benefit from a Wi-Fi thermostat, or products that reduce water consumption and prevent water damage. These add value to our relationship with the customer.

Ideally, we should become a “one stop source” for all things mechanical in the home even if you don’t provide the service. We maintain a referral list for other trades and make it available to all our staff.

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ComfortBridge™ communicating technology.

More Options.

More Benefits.

More Control.

Taking the communicating circuit board off-the-wall and putting it securely inside the HVAC system means that the ComfortBridge technology is designed to work seamlessly

with numerous single-stage thermostats. Imagine using the same single-stage thermostat for all your HVAC installations. When properly installed, ComfortBridge technology receives a simple signal from the thermostat and intelligently distributes operational messages between the indoor and outdoor components of a central heating and cooling system.

www.ComfortBridge.com ComfortBridge technology is engineered exclusively for high-efficiency Goodman® and Amana® brand heating and cooling systems.

Our continuing commitment to quality products may mean a change in specifications without notice. © 2018 Goodman Manufacturing Company, L.P. Houston, Texas · USA www.comfortbridge.com

Come visit our newest location in Barrie!

Goodman Canada 55 Reid Dr. Unit #1, Barrie, ON L4N 0M4 705-242-6643 Branch Manager: Mike Radovanovic For a full listing of branch locations, please visit partner.goodmanmfg.com

HVAC/R Products P Residential heat pumps Ruud’s Ultra series of variable speed heat pumps are available in two- to five-ton sizes with cooling capacities ranging from 17,300 to 60,500 BTUH. The 20-SEER, 11-HSPF units use variable-speed compressors, electronic expansion valves and composite base pans designed to dampen sound.

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ruud.com

High-efficiency residential systems Luxaire Acclimate Variable Capacity Residential Systems from Johnson Controls offer up to 20 SEER efficiencies in both heat pump and air conditioner models. Both units are equipped with a built-in charge monitoring system that provides a direct readout of high and low system pressures and suction and liquid line temperatures.

Systems are available in two- to five-ton capacities.

www.

Communicating two-stage gas furnace

luxaire.com re.com

Goodman’s GMVC96 high-efficiency two-stage gas furnace incorporates the company’s ComfortBridge technology to allow communicating features. The model includes an insulated heat exchanger and blower with compatibility to a single-stage thermostat. Offering 96% AFUE and BTUH input of up to 120,000, the units are equipped with a self-diagnostic control board.

www.

goodmanmfg.com

Grease duct Follow Us on Twitter @MechBusiness

Duravent’s Zero Clearance Grease Duct is designed from corrosion-resistant stainless steel. The round tubular design is engineered to prevent the contaminants of combustion from being trapped within the flue. The ducts can be used for new restaurant construction or custom remodeling. They are available in 5” to 36” diameter sizes.

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duravent.com

Air-intake system Commercial fans Canarm’s CBF Series fans are available in three sizes, with airflow rates ranging from 100 to 1,500 CFM. The models are designed with EC motors, builtin speed controls and backward inclined aluminum wheels.

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canarm.com

Centrotherm’s BlitzFlex is a corrugated polymer tube that is designed to act as an air-intake system for any residential heating appliance. The tube is available in 2”, 3” and 4” diameter sizes and is dispensed through a master carton.

Each carton can provide enough tube for up to five residential systems.

www.

centrotherm.us.com

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HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC

IMPROVING AIR DISTRIBUTION FOR

BETTER COMFORT A

nyone old enough to remember when you first got central air conditioning in your home? I am.

When I was young, mom would say we didn’t need air conditioning, we were in Canada, after all. On hot days, she would carefully close the east curtains in the morning and then close the west curtains in the evening, we would run the summer fan, have a picnic supper in the basement where it was cool and, if all else failed, dad would take us out for a drive because he had just gotten AC in the Chrysler.

When we finally did get central AC, we weren’t allowed to turn it on all the time.

Mom would have us hold out as long as possible before turning it on for an hour or two to “take the edge off.”

Us kids would spread out around the house feeling for the supply register that was throwing the most air and camp out over top of it for the hour. The cooling effect of moving air is one aspect of that “throw” but I want to explore the more technical aspect of the term “throw” of supply diffusers and its potential impact on air conditioning effectiveness in Canadian homes.

Gord Cooke

n i t si

i y h

W

Living in the historically heatingdominated climate of Canada, the logical approach to supply air diffuser location in forced air systems was at floor level.

The original gravity-fed systems had supply ducts located up the centre of a home with supply grilles located in the floor to take advantage of the stack effect.

The return grilles and ducts were located near exterior walls to capture the cooler air falling down the walls.

As we transitioned to forced air systems, supply diffusers were

moved to “bathe” exterior walls and windows in an attempt to warm up those surfaces and improve comfort. Return grilles were moved to interior walls or central locations for convenience.

The HRAI Digest, the most commonly applied design guide for residential duct systems in Canada, suggests locating supply outlets in heating only systems, so as to “bathe at least one exposed wall or window with warm air.”

It goes on to say when choosing the supply diffuser to compare the “spread and throw of the diffuser at 500 feet per minute with the length of exposed wall” to be blanketed.

SPREAD: The divergence of the airstream as it leaves a diffuser.

M e c h a n i c a l

THROW: The distance from the centre of the diffuser to a point where the velocity of the air stream is reduced to a specified velocity.

In a typical residential floor supply diffuser, the spread would be the distance the air is thrown horizontally away from the diffuser.

In a residential system, the throw would be the vertical distance up the wall the air travels. In residential applications the throw distance is measured at the point where the velocity has dropped to 50 feet per minute (FPM). This is called the Terminal Velocity. That velocity is used because it is the point at which occupants typically start noticing a draft effect.

is a professional engineer who has spent 20 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

gcooke@airsolutions.ca.

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COVERING ALL THE ANGLES It should be possible to get the technical data showing the spread and throw of residential diffusers.

This chart shows select data from two diffusers from the same manufacturer; the difference is simply the angle of the diffusion vanes.

Notice the difference in the spread and throw at 500 FPM. Above diffuser B you could expect to feel cool air up as high as 8’ if the air volume exiting the diffuser was 85 CFM (cubic feet per minute), whereas with diffuser A your clients might complain that all the cool air

spills out near the floor and only their feet feel cool.

Notice, too, how quickly the throw drops at the lower velocities when there is less airflow at the diffuser.

At 300 FPM, when the diffuser is only seeing 50 CFM, both diffusers have a throw below 4’ and it is unlikely either one will satisfy the cooling needs of your clients on a hot summer night.

This is a very important consideration in newer homes where heating and cooling loads are much lower because of better

300 FPM

500 FPM

Diffuser A Stamped Metal, angled blades

CFM Spread Throw

50 4.0’ 3.0’

85 7.5’ 4.0’

Diffuser B Stamped Metal, straight blades

CFM Spread Throw

50 4.5’ 4.0’

85 6.5’ 8.0’

insulation in walls and ceilings and better windows. It is time to rethink the selection of diffusers to optimize air distribution at lower overall airflows.

better air conditioning performance to your clients. Add more thought to the selection of diffusers to the tools you have to satisfy the ever-increasing expectations of your customers for greater comfort There are choices available to increase the throw of cool air to get control summer and winter.

Cooling changes things

STUDYING THE THROW Since we were finding it difficult to get full technical data on commonly available residential diffusers we decided to build a simple test rig in our shop so we could measure and feel the performance.

We bought and tested 13 different diffusers, including a couple of the highly decorative metal “designer” patterns and a wood grille. We also had a commercial grade diffuser with airfoil type blades in a 4” x 10” format.

Because of the natural buoyancy of warm air, supply diffusers in heatingonly residential applications were typically manufactured to optimize the spread of air to bathe inefficient exterior walls and windows.

The picture shows my partner Rob measuring the velocity at the 5-foot level of our test rig. We did measurements at two different airflows, 60 CFM and 110 CFM, using the very accurate Energy Conservatory DuctBlaster.

This represents face velocities of approximately 350 and 550 FPM. The duct supplying the diffusers was 6” diameter and had a standard angle boot to 4”x10” at the end. The duct and fitting were properly air sealed. The measurements were done with the diffuser dampers fully open.

When you add a cooling function to a duct distribution system it is desirable to optimize the vertical throw of cool air to ensure proper mixing of air throughout the occupied zone, especially on the second floor.

Here are some highlights from this fun little project.

Notice how well the airfoil blades of the more commercial type diffuser do at maintaining the velocity. There are other advantages to these better diffusers as well. They had a gasket around the base so it fit snugly into the boot, so there was no chance of air sneaking by the diffuser into surrounding carpets.

If a diffuser has adjustable blades and a double deflection format this would mean you could adjust airflow patterns for summer and winter or for specific location needs.

Diffuser 1

Airflow

Stamped Metal, angled blades

Velocity at 5’ FPM

Diffuser 2

Airflow

Stamped Metal, straight blades

Velocity at 5’ FPM

Diffuser 3

Airflow

Metal, Airfoil blades

Velocity at 5’ FPM

60 CFM fan setting

110 CFM fan setting

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104

0 - 20

0 - 20

59

106

130 - 140

160

59

108

140 - 150

210 - 220

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

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T E C H N O L O G I E S AUGUST 2018

Colin Finney

OF PIPES AND PRINCESSES • HOLOHAN ON PUMPS • DREAMING OF SNOWMELT • GROWTH THROUGH EDUCATION • HOT ROD’S TOP 10

A sopping wet supplement of Mechanical Business

www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Easy start-up and operation

On-demand DHW

Easy to service

Simple installation and space saving design

Quality and reliability Made in Germany

Ideal for apartment units and houses with one DHW draw

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

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Winning the race

44 FEATURES

40

TROUBLESHOOTING: WE’RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER PUMP Things started to get interesting when smaller circulators wound up on packaged boilers that ranged in size from small to pretty darn big. Dan Holohan

OTHER

FEATURES

38GUEST COMMENTARY Growth through education David Hughes

46HOT ROD’S 10 TIPS

44

ROAD WARRIOR: OF PIPES AND PRINCESSES Sometimes living next to a professional can lead to a career.

Just ask journeyman plumber Colin Finney of A&B Mechanical in Winnipeg, who claims to still be looking to save Princess Peach of Super Mario fame. Adam Freill

Out of the box, and into the machine Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr

DE P AR TME NT S

36From the Editor’s Desk

52

PROJECT PROFILE: DREAM HOME LOTTERY PROJECT PUTS SNOWMELT ON SHOW London, Ontario’s iFH Designs recently had a chance to educate the public about the benefits of hydronics when the company installed snowmelt systems in a pair of Dream Home Lottery homes. Denise Deveau

Cover Photo: John Woods

50Find the Fix 54,55Products

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

Content Media Group Inc. 19 – 1525 Cornwall Road Oakville, ON L6J 0B2 Canada Tel: 905.465.2919 Fax: 905.465.2913 www.mechanicalbusiness.com July/August 2018 Issue Editor: Adam Freill, ext. 224 adam.freill@mechanicalbusiness.com National Sales Manager: Jeff Superle, ext. 221 jeff.superle@mechanicalbusiness.com Controller: Liz Mills liz.mills@mechanicalbusiness.com Office Manager: Caroline Bexfield, ext. 227 \Zkhebg^'[^qÛ^e]9f^\aZgb\Ze[nlbg^ll'\hf Art Direction: JJM Graphic Ltd. davem@jjmgraphic.com Circulation Manager: Shila Naik (905) 272-4175 shila.naik@mechanicalbusiness.com Publisher: Bruce Meacock, ext. 222 bruce.meacock@mechanicalbusiness.com

Light at the end of the insulation?

Not long before press time, Canadian Hydronics Council chair Dave Hughes dropped me a line to let me know that a solution is in the works for the underslab insulation conundrum that has been plaguing the hydronic industry in Alberta.

For those not familiar with the issue, in November of 2016 that province began enforcing Section 9.36 of the National Energy Code for Buildings, which has been adopted into the province’s energy code.

Included in Section 9.36 is a provision for R-16 underslab insulation, or roughly 3.5 to four inches of insulation. That’s a significant increase from the one inch of insulation listed in CSA B214, the installation code for hydronic systems, and it’s proven to be a barrier to infloor heat installers.

Catch up on training The Canadian Hydronics Council is holding its 2018 education conference during the CIPHEX

West show in Calgary. Visit It was noted by CHC members during the ciphexwest.ca for more details. recent Canadian Hydronics Luncheon that the hydronic segment in Alberta has been decimated by the change. Adding to the pain is the unintended consequence of driving home builders to other, less efficient heating options that do not have a requirement (and associated costs) of underslab insulation.

While currently contained to Alberta, the issue, warned CHC, is one that could emerge in other parts of the country as well, since Section 9.36 is part of the national energy code.

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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

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But there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel, at least for Alberta.

CIPH and CHC are reporting that a Standata Interpretation is in the works that will allow for radiant heating to be installed without the R-16 insulation requirement in Alberta. A proposed code change, a solution, if you will, will be presented to the Provincial Territorial Policy Advisory Committee on Codes, which will allow for ot other provinces and territories to navigate the issue.

It’s been a long road for hydronic installers in Alberta, but the regulatory bod bodies do appear to be open to an industry-proposed solution, and w we are looking forward to the Standata seeing the light of day soo soon.

I’m sur sure that those of you attending November’s Can Canadian Hydronics Conference in Calgary will have plenty to talk about. p Until then,

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GUEST COMMENTARY

Dave Hughes is the chairman of the Canadian Hydronics Council and associate chair (special projects) of pipe trades at NAIT. He can be reached at dhughes@nait.ca.

Growth through education

T

his has been an exciting year out where I live, here in Alberta. The insulation issue that’s been plaguing our province, and the rest of the country, may have just been successfully resolved, but that’s just one of many stories that are always on the go in this hydronic sector of ours.

Much like there is a need to share credible information about the sub-slab insulation concerns, there is also an ongoing need to provide valuable professional development opportunities to hydronics installers and designers, regardless of where they work in Canada.

One of the main drives for the Canadian Hydronics Council (CHC) is continuing education. Under ideal circumstances, CHC would like to see all hydronics designers and installers in Canada certified – I understand that this would be quite a feat, but we have to have a goal to aim for.

Certification is always our end goal, and there are many means of getting there.

In addition to the full training offerings at Fleming College in Peterborough, Ont., and NAIT in Edmonton, one and two-day courses using individual blocks from the certification materials have been offered in many areas across the country. These sessions build upon each other and can be used to gain enough knowledge to challenge for certification.

This November’s Canadian Hydronics Council Conference is also a prime example of the training opportunities that exist from CHC, and it’s one that I’d like to invite you to take part in.

This upcoming event, which will be held at the same time as the CIPHEX West show in Calgary, will feature some of the best speakers in the industry and is quite simply one of the best opportunities to expand your hydronic knowledge this year.

To register, hit the CIPHEX West 2018 website, www.ciphexwest. ca, and then click on the Visitors information menu tab.

We look forward to seeing you in Calgary!

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Planning for Foothills 2.0 As a council, CHC is continuing to work on perfecting the format of our conferences, and we want to enable training sessions to be moved across the country. Currently, the CIPHEX shows have been our only vessel to bring this important service to other areas of Canada, but we are working on expanding our reach.

Using a working title of Foothills Version 2.0, the 2019 rendition of the CHC Hydronics Conference is planned as a standalone event that will be held in October of next year, in Ottawa.

The event will be modelled after the Alberta’s Foothills Conference, which some of you may recall or may have even attended. Like Foothills, this conference will offer two days of sessions with ample opportunities to visit vendors between sessions.

The 2019 conference committee is currently being assembled, so watch for details, or join in the planning. If you are in the Ottawa area and interested in helping to plan this event, please contact me at dhughes@nait.ca.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Dan Holohan is an author, speaker, steam heating expert, and founder of heatinghelp.com, a highly regarded industry site that shares information about heating systems old and new.

He can be reached at dan@heatinghelp.com.

WE’RE GONNA NEED A

bigger pump B

ack in the days of gravity-hot-water heating, before we used pumps, a contractor would install big pipes to keep the resistance to flow to a minimum.

The boiler would heat the water, which would flow languidly toward the radiators, nudging the colder water that filled the pipes and radiators above the boiler downward.

If the contractor followed the rules of gravity-heat piping, the big wheel of water that is a hydronic system would turn like a ferris wheel and the customers would say, “Ahh!” Then 1928 arrived, and with it came the simultaneous introduction of the hot-water circulator. Within days of each other, Homer Thrush introduced his Thrush circulator in the United States and Louis Opländer did the same in Germany with Wilo.

Let’s hear it for paradigm shifts.

These circulators sped up the water that flowed in gravity systems and, when combined with a flow-control valve, gave the contractor a way to control the flow of hot water between a boiler and the radiators by having one of those newfangled thermostats start and stop the circulator.

Those early circulators were able to move a lot of water against a relatively low resistance to flow because the pipes in a gravity-hot-water system were deliberately large to keep the resistance to flow at a minimum.

The Dead Men didn’t need much of what we came to call “pump head” in those days. They did, however, have to get used to the fact that pump head didn’t refer to the height of the building, but rather to the resistance to flow as the water flowed around the big loop.

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Homer Thrush introduced his Thrush circulator in the United States and Louis Opländer did the same in Germany with Wilo.

The height of the building doesn’t matter because the weight of the water going up balances the weight of the water coming down. Think about the motor on a ferris wheel and you’ll understand how a circulator really works. The circulator isn’t lifting; it’s turning.

Fast-forward 20 years to around 1948 and we now see packaged boilers.

The circulators that came with those early packaged boilers all had the ability to move a relatively large flow against a relatively low head. Larger pipes were the still the norm in those days, and all of those early circulators ran on 1,750rpm motors. Their flow versus head performance curves were nearly identical, regardless of the manufacturer.

Which brings us to the 1970s and the birth of smaller, water-lubricated circulators.

These ran at much higher speeds, used less power and cost less to buy. They soon replaced the 1,750-rpm, oil-lubricated circulators that had been on packaged boilers.

Things started to get interesting when the little circulators wound up on packaged boilers that ranged in size from small to pretty darn big. And since the boiler manufacturer was providing them, many contractors began to think in terms of one-size-fits-all when it came to the tiny circulators. And that led to problems.

Years ago, someone sent me a photograph of a rather large boiler with a thick pipe

leaving it. The pipe teed into a manifold that fed 15 zones using 3/4” pipe, each with a zone valve. The circulator in use was one called Little Red, and that circulator was indeed both little and red.

Circuitous thinking Back in the ’80s, when hydronic radiant heating was catching the attention of contractors, a guy called to ask what size circulator he needed.

º7 >Ì Ã ÀÌ v L à ̶» >à i`°

In his letter, he explained that all was fine when running just a few zones but trying to run all 15 zones at the same time ended up with most not getting hot. So, he asked, “Do you think the boiler is too small?”

I told him he was gonna need a bigger pump, one that could move more water because that’s what this job needed.

º,>` > Ì]» i Ã> `° º «ÕÌ > Ì ÕÃ> ` viiÌ v ÎÉn» * 8 > à >L° 7 >Ì Ã âi «Õ « ` ii` v À Ì >̶» º7 >Ì½Ã Þ ÕÀ }iÃÌ V ÀVÕ Ì¶» >à i`° ºæ Ì ÕÃ> ` viiÌ° ÕÃÌ Ì ` Þ Õ°» º/ iÀi½Ã ÕÃÌ i V ÀVÕ Ì¶» º9i> ]» i Ã> `°

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I told him he was gonna need a bigger pump.

A fact about friction Ì i Õ} y Ü i>`Ã Ì Ì i Õ} i>Ì° ÕÌ Ì ÕV vÀ VÌ ÃÃ Ì À Õ} Ì i « « } V> > à i>` Ì Ì i Õ} i>Ì LiV>ÕÃi Ì ÕV vÀ VÌ i>`Ã Ì Ã ÜiÀ y Ü° "À iÛi Ì y Ü >Ì > ° >} i > >À}i ÀiVÌ> } i v « «i Ì >Ì ÃÌÀiÌV ià v À Õ `Ài`à v iÌÀið ÃÌ> > Ì Þ V ÀVÕ >Ì À Ì >Ì ÀiVÌ> } i° 9 Õ Ì Ì i Ü>ÌiÀ½Ã } } Ì Ûi Ì >Ì V ÀVÕ Ì¶ ` ½Ì i Ì iÀ° / i V ÀVÕ >Ì À Ü Ã Ì Ì iÀi Ü Ì Ìà «i iÀ ë }] LÕÌ Ì >Ì Ü Li Ì i Þ Ì } Û }°

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TROUBLESHOOTING

Pumps in series

TAKE CARE IF YOU REMOVE A RADIATOR Bell & Gossett called them Monoflo Tees. Taco called them Venturi Tees. Nibco even had an insert that would turn a standard tee into one that could divert water out of main into a branch that ran to a radiator.

Whatever you call them, they all work in a similar way.

The small cone that’s inside these tees adds resistance to flow along the main. When water feels that resistance, some of the water will decide to travel into the branch piping instead of staying in the main. That’s how the radiator gets hot.

There are rules you need to follow with these special tees, such as making sure you place the tees the width of the radiator apart if the main is higher than the branch piping.

Another rule is that if you disconnect a radiator, you also have to either remove the special tees, or you have to connect the piping that used to feed the radiator or convector from the special tees with a small piece of pipe.

If you just cap the branch lines, all the water now has to squeeze through the narrow openings within the special tees. And since you can’t compress water, there’s going to be a lot more pressure drop. It just may be enough to stop the flow altogether.

To a circulator, pressure drop can feel like a closed valve. You’re gonna need a bigger pump.

Learn the rules and follow them.

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Series pumping has been around for a long time and it can get you out of > Ì Õ} > °

U. S . G R E E

Precision

Series pumping can help if you have a problem with too much resistance Ì y Ü > « « } V ÀVÕ Ì° Two or more pumps work in series to increase the head pressure without VÀi>à } Ì i y Ü À>Ìi° You pump out of one pump into the suction à `i v Ì i iÝÌ «Õ «° It’s sort of like passing the L>Ì > Ài >Þ À>Vi°

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ROAD WARRIOR Colin Finney

Favourite area to get dispatched to: “Western Manitoba. It has the best scenery and good places to eat.”

The most useful tool in his toolbox: Channel Lock slip joint pliers Favourite tool in his toolbox: “An old pair of Ridgid cast cutters.”

Favourite performer: Brian Fallon Best concert ever attended: City and Colour Favourite magazine: Wooden Boat Favourite TV show: “Breaking Bad. It’s about an honest, hardworking man who turns to crime out of necessity.”

Favourite character: “Walter White. He’s resourceful and determined.”

A mechanical magician Ever have one of those installs where things fit, in theory, but you’re the one who has to figure out how to make it happen in real life?

Colin has.

Faced with a customer who wanted to install a boiler in a void space below an addition that was built on top of an in-ground pool, he had to figure out how to get the boiler and the other system components into one of the smallest mechanical rooms he’s ever had to work in. “Access was through a door in the floor, and my apprentice was 6’3”, so he couldn’t even fit down there.

“There was not enough space to stand up, and you couldn’t lie down either as you would slide down the pool’s sloped floor,” he said, reflecting back. “It was a small install, but it still had a four-way mixing valve for in-floor heating, a heat exchanger, domestic indirect tank and an air-handler coil.”

Favourite cartoon as a kid: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Favourite actor: Denzel Washington

Last book read: “It was a book on how to make beer.”

Favourite movie: Waterworld

Last movie watched: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Favourite sport: Bobsledding

Favourite website: Kijiji

Favourite car: Honda Civic Hatchback Favourite video game: Final Fantasy One on NES

If he could be an animal, what would he be?

“A whale, so that I could travel far and do a lot of swimming.”

Favourite restaurant: Mrs. Mikes in St. Boniface, Man.

One place in the world he would like to visit: New Caledonia

Favourite food: Fries and chilli

One thing most people don’t know about me: “I am afraid of fish.”

Favourite outdoor activity: “Running gas pipe on a roof.”

If he ever wrote a book, it would be about: Plumbing

Usual breakfast: Bagel and cream cheese

Photo: John Woods

One word that describes him: Determined

44

Favourite local haunt for lunch: “Joe Beavers in Brandon, for the best poutine (Buffalo chicken).”

If he could meet anyone, alive or dead, who would it be? Sylvester Stallone

Hobbies: “Making my own beer, cooking and trying out new recipes.”

If I was a superhero, I would be... “Magneto. I could put pipes together with my mind.”

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By Adam Freill

Name: Colin Finney Nickname: Pig Pen Company: A&B Mechanical City: Winnipeg Title: Journeyman plumber Age: 32 Family: Wife Aimee, daughter Charlotte Joined the industry: 2009 Current Work Ride: 2015 GMC Savana Service Area: Manitoba

“I found the blockage!”

You’ll have to excuse A&B Mechanical’s Colin Finney if he’s a little hesitant to tackle hospital jobs, but he has good reason. A few years back, he and a co-worker were logging some overnight hours removing old cast iron pipe in the basement of the facility when a plumber’s nightmare hit him, literally.

Of pipes Colin Finney and princesses S

ometimes living next to a professional can lead to a career. Just ask journeyman plumber Colin Finney of A&B Mechanical in Winnipeg.

“My childhood neighbour owned a plumbing company and I always found it interesting to see the vehicles come and go,” he said during a recent interview. “My older brother, who is also a journeyman plumber, started working for him, and I would help with roughing in houses.”

Being able to check out interesting and unusual buildings, many of which he would have never otherwise set foot in, also appealed to Finney, as

“The pipe was cut while I was standing on a ladder, and I got hit with 20 gallons of hospital sewage,” he recalled with a shudder. “I’ve never taken my clothes off as fast as I did that night.”

did the chance to find creative solutions building and repairing piped systems. “I thought it was cool to travel around to different parts of the city and province.”

Of course, his neighbour wasn’t the only plumber from his youth who influenced his career path.

“I also played a lot of Super Mario,” added Finney with a laugh. “I thought there would be more rescuing of princesses.”

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HYDRONICS

Bob “Hot Rodâ€? 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 CalefďŹ North America. You can reach Hot Rod at bob.rohr@calefďŹ .com.

Out of the box, and into the

MACHINE 1

Don’t assume First off, never, ever, assume that the original installer selected and properly installed the previous part. Even components that look like an OEM or factory installed item may have been replaced.

A classic example of this is when a homeowner or untrained service person installs a water heater T&P valve on a boiler.

2

Find reliable sources

Use the world-wide-web but use it carefully. In [QWT UGCTEJGU [QWoNN Ć‚PF C NQV QH WTDCP O[VJU CPF Ćƒ[ D[ night advice. For the most part, contractor-supported websites and chat rooms have sage advice.

T

he right part, in the right place, functioning properly: that’s the goal!

Some guys just love swapping out parts, but just because a system isn’t doing what the installer or designer wanted it to do doesn’t mean it’s time to start pulling parts at random.

Once upon a time, your mom probably asked you, “If another plumber jumped off a cliff, would you jump off a cliff?�

Save the parts pulling for items that are worth replacing. The machine is what you make, or re-make, of it. Make informed, wise decisions and you reward all involved.

To help, here are some steps and tips that I’ve used when choosing a system part or component. Many of these tips will apply to new installations just as well as they do for your repair and remodel projects. Happy hydronicizing!

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This can be especially true for old steam or gravity systems. For those, it is best to consult a grey beard.

A couple of my favourite sites are www.heatinghelp.com and www. healthyheating.com. They both have a solid knowledge base.

3

Read the manual

If the installation instructions are not in the box, search them out online or via a call to the manufacturer’s rep. In some cases, the parts and equipment that you have been installing for years may have updated information. &GƂPKVGN[ UGGM VJGO QWV KH [QW UGG VJG WUG QH RNCUVKE QT EQORQUKVG components where you used to see metal. Soldering against a plastic part is generally frowned upon. And many valves include plastic check valve assemblies that need to be removed before soldering. Thermostatic mix valves, for example.

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HYDRONICS

4

Watch the mounting position

Check valve installation options vary quite a bit. Some swing checks can be used either in vertical or horizontal position, but not all of them. Choose spring or weighted checks for hydronics. Swing checks need a pressure differential to seal tightly.

Pressure relief valves for boilers need to be in the vertical position, but water heater T&P valves are installed in a horizontal or vertical orientation. The sizing of relief valves is crucial also; it’s not just about the pipe size! The valve will have a BTUH rating on a tag, which is the sizing criteria. $QKNGT Ć‚NN XCNXGU ECP IGPGTCNN[ DG KPUVCNNGF or replaced in either position, but with the regulator in the “upâ€? position. Dual-check DCEMĆƒQY RTGXGPVGTU ECP DG WUGF XGTVKECNN[ DWV QPN[ YKVJ VJG ĆƒQY FKTGEVKQP FQYPYCTFU #NUQ VJG XGPV RQTV UJQWNF DG RKRGF VQ VJG ĆƒQQT QT C FTCKP

5

Check the Cv

#P[ DCNN EJGEM \QPG OKZKPI CPF other valve should be sized via the Cv number and allowable pressure drop.

Consider that a standard 3/4â€? full-port ball XCNXG OC[ JCXG C %X QH QT UQ # q three-way thermostatic valve may only have C %X QH +PUVCNNKPI C ĆƒQY TGUVTKEVKXG XCNXG OC[ result in an unhappy customer call back.

6 7

Size correctly

With balancing valves, do not oversize them only to EJQMG YC[ DCEM QP VJG XCNXG CPF ĆƒQY RCUUCIG 0QKUG and wear, and sometimes cavitation, can be an issue YJGP [QW USWGG\G ĆƒQY VJTQWIJ C VKP[ QRGPKPI

Expansion quandaries

#EEGRVCDNG GZRCPUKQP VCPM mounting is still a mystery to me. One engineering guidebookk that I own, which was recently updated, suggests that the company’s tanks “mayy b be e installed either vertically or horizontally, att the designer’s discretion.�

When you see a cutaway of a horizontal, foot-mount tank, it looks the same as a vertical tank, yet some manufacturers suggest it only be installed nipple up. )Q Ć‚IWTG

48

8

Sometimes air is needed

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9JGP [QW KPUVCNN C ĆƒQCV V[RG CKT XGPV FQPoV be tempted to hold the needle valve down WPVKN YCVGT QT U[UVGO ĆƒWKF USWKTVU QWV Some installers do this to ensure that the tank, or DQKNGT TCFKCVQT GVE KU EQORNGVGN[ Ć‚NNGF YKVJ ĆƒWKF There should be a small air space at the top that will help prevent any waterborne contaminants from getting up into the valve seal. #IITGUUKXG ĆƒWKF ECP YQTM QP VJG 1 TKPI CPF seals. With a small air space, you also eliminate that concern. #NN CKT XGPVU YKNN NGCM UQOGFC[ #P KPGZRGPUKXG EJGEM UGTXKEG valve will make for a quick and easy service or replacement.

9

Paperwork is a painful necessity

I like to document the work I do on systems. Some may think it is cheesy, but a magic-marker note on or inside VJG HTQPV EQXGT JGNRU FQEWOGPV UGTXKEGU FQPG #PF check the notes that have been left for you. +H [QW UGG HTGSWGPV GZRCPUKQP VCPM TGRNCEGOGPV HQT GZCORNG look for a cause. Undersized tanks, improper pre-charge CPF PQP DCTTKGT VWDKPI VGPF VQ UJQTVGP GZRCPUKQP VCPM NKHG GZRGEVCPE[

10

Embrace technology

In keeping with today’s mobile communication technology, some manufacturers include QR codes QP VJGKT DQZGU QT RCTVU 6JG [QWPIGT IGPGTCVKQP prefer short YouTube videos to a sheet of paper with directions in 8-point font. (Me too, when it comes down to it.)

WORKING IN PAIRS In many cases, two valves piped in parallel is a preferred method to one single, large, higher cost valve.

Take thermostatic mix valves, for example. Two smaller valves will help provide the maximum ow rate required, but also have better stability at low ow rates.

High Cv mix valves tend to need up to 5-gpm minimums to give accurate

mix temperatures. A small sink draw can result in a “thread� temperature as the valve struggles for resolution. Two smaller Cv valves in parallel can provide high and low-end accuracy.

With a pressure reducing valve (PRV) you can apply the same concept. Two 3/4� PRVs in parallel could replace a larger, more expensive valve.

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FIND THE FIX

Jeff House is an experienced industry professional and hydronics trainer. He handles the sales territory from the Niagara region to the Greater Toronto Area for Jess-Don Dunford, a manufacturers’ rep in Ontario. He can be reached at jhouse@jessdondunford.com.

SIZING THE COMPONENTS You are still on that small commercial job that you started last issue, the one with three floors plus a basement where the customer is looking to use infloor heating for the basement and first floor, radiators for the second ond floor, and an air handler on the third floor. Price is a driving riving factor to the customer, but you know that choosing g the right sized pipes and components will have the greatest impact on his wallet.

1. The air handler is looking for a ¨T of 15°F and has 1” fittings.

The pipe size to and from should be: a) 2” b) 1” will work with a 20°F ¨T. c) Doing the math says it should be 1-1/4” piping to carry 125,000 BTUs. d) 1-1/2” will be safe.

2. To size pump DH-3 for the DHW tank, the manufacturer wants 167,000 BTUH with 20°F ¨T. The pressure drop through the coil is 8.9 feet. What pump do you select? a) A standard three-speed pump set to high speed. b) The pump the boiler manufacturer recommends. c) A variable-speed ECM pump capable of 17 gpm and about 12 feet of head. d) A variable-speed ECM ¨P pump set to auto.

Email your answers to adam.freill@mechanicalbusiness.com.

Please include your name and daytime phone number.

Looking for the May/June answers?

If you need the answers to last edition’s quiz, you’ll find them on our home on the web, mechanicalbusiness.com. Just click the “Looking for Answers?” button on our homepage.

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3. At what pressure should you set the system feeder? a) 29 psi, just like the expansion tank. b) The feeder should be set 75 psi, just like the relief valve. c) The factory setting of 15 psi is good. d) You pop out your calculator and divide your height by 2.31, add 5 psi, and come up with 29 psi. e) A and D. 4. Doing the math, your calculation says you need an expansion tank with a 15-gallon volume. You should select: a) A pipe-mounted expansion tank. b) A free-standing expansion tank. c) The tank that your most trusted wholesaler carries. d) Any of the above, as long as the model offers the rated capacity.

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bradfordwhite.com

PROJECT PROFILE

By Denise Deveau

DREAM HOME LOTTERY PROJECT PUTS

snowmelt on show W

hen it comes to hydronic floor heating, and snowmelt systems, Paul McRoberts, owner and president of iFH Designs in London, has had plenty of practice. He’s been installing systems for more than two decades. Despite all those years in the field, he says not that many people know about them, and what hydronic heating will do.

“Even though I’ve been installing systems since 1992, a lot of people are still learning about these systems, plus we still find that we have to educate customers asking about floor heating and snow removal systems.”

He recently had a chance to educate the public in a big way when iFH designed and installed hydronic snowmelt systems in two Dream Home Lottery homes in the new Baseline-Byron development project in London, Ont. This wasn’t the first rodeo for the team. They also installed snowmelt systems in more than a dozen other

Project in Numbers

Continuing a relationship homes in the same community. In some homes they also added in-floor heating.

McRoberts says he was grateful for being able to work on the Dream Homes, because it gave hydronic systems a boost in the public eye.

“It was a big highlight as these were the first two lottery homes that had heated driveways. This is helping us educate the public, and maybe some builders, that they should be looking at this heat as the most inexpensive on the market to heat your home, office, hospitals, etc.”

He says that while the installation cost of a boiler may be higher than a regular everyday furnace, there is no comparison on the heat side when it comes to comfort. “Plus,” he says, “the savings will offset the costs over seven to 10 years. In my mind, it’s a no-brainer.”

V, LiÀÌà wÀÃÌ Ü À i` Ü Ì Ì i LÕ `iÀ] ÃÌ i iÃ] ÌÜ Þi>Àà >} ° / >Ì Ü>Ã Ü i V «> Þ Ü iÀ 6>à i > ÕV> >««À >V i` Ì ÃÌ> > Ã Ü i Ì ÃÞÃÌi v À iÃÌ i½Ã wÀÃÌ `iÀ Û } i `ià } / À Ì ° 7 i Ì i >Ãi i ÞÀ «À iVÌ V> i Õ«] > ÕV> >`i Ì i V> Ì V, LiÀÌÃ Ì `ià } > ` ÃÌ> Ã Ü i Ì ÃÞÃÌi Ã Ì i `À ÛiÜ>Þà > ` à `iÜ> à v À Ì i £x i `iÛi « i Ì° / }à } Ì vv Ì > À >À } ÃÌ>ÀÌ° º" Vi Ì i wÀÃÌ ÌÜ ÜiÀi ÃÌ> i` > ` ` ë >Þi`] Üi vi Ì >««Þ > ` «À Õ` Ì Li Ì i wÀÃÌ Ì Ã Ü Ì >Ì ` v ÃÌ> >Ì Ì «i « i]» V, LiÀÌà Ã>Þð

Number of homes in the subdivision:

15, including 2 Dream Home Lottery homes Total area with snowmelt (per home): Time to install insulation and tubing: Time to install boilers:

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1,200 sq. ft.

2 days

Approx. 20 hours

Hydronic Snowmelt System Installation Tips

1 2

Building the systems Every system has its own challenges and workows. For these two builds, Millstone Homes prepared the levelling of the driveway, the forming of the steps, and the front porch area.

Make sure the R values on your insulation are correct. “We always use an R10 value,� McRoberts says.

“The front porch was done ďŹ rst, so we installed the 2â€? panel insulation and half-inch oxygen-barrier tubing on six-inch centres,â€? outlined McRoberts.

Check the spacing and length of piping. “Spacing and length of loops is critical,� he says. His preference is a nine-inch spacing from centre-to-centre, and a maximum loop length of 300 feet for 3/4� piping. “While shortness is not a problem, if your pipes are too long, the heat won’t get to the last part of your loop.�

Once the stairs were framed, they installed the remaining insulation and 3/4� piping on nine-inch centres, to complete the laneway, walkway and step areas.

They then installed two four-inch standard dimension ratio (SDR) pipe sleeves under the heated slab in the garage that ran into the basement near the boiler room. The lines were then pulled into the basement and connected to an eight-station manifold system.

3

Always use oxygen-barrier piping.

Any oxygen that gets into the heating system can cause components, like cast iron pumps and other metal components, to rust.

The work on the two lottery Dream Home properties was completed in the spring of 2018. At that time, the weather was still on the cold side, so McRoberts and his team needed to use heated blankets to keep the frost at bay.

4

Ensure that the pump selected is sized appropriately for the flow rate. “This is critical,� says McRoberts. “You don’t want water moving too fast because it doesn’t allow enough time for the slab to grab the heat.�

5

Always add glycol to outdoor hydronic heating systems. McRoberts uses a non-toxic propylene vegetable-based glycol.

Installation of the insulation and tubing, including the manifold and pressurizing the system with air, took about two days.

Of course, now that everything is up and running and fully automated, the systems are ready to do their job. “Once the snowakes hit the sensor, it will turn the system on.â€?

While each hydronics project is unique in its own way, McRoberts says, “This one stands out because we had a great group of employees who understood what was needed, put their heads together, and got the project done.�

Covering the DHW, too

A responsive system A key reason why hydronic systems were selected for these homes, says McRoberts, is the energy savings and the short time needed to remove snow and ice over other snowmelt options. “When you think about those two things, it made the decision pretty easy.�

Equipment List

In addition, he says that snowmelt systems are a great selling point for contractors. “The safety factor is important. No ice to slip on. No snow to shovel. Overall it’s a healthy way of removing snow.�

• Rehau 02 barrier piping and manifold systems • Tekmar snowmelt controls • %CNGHƂ OKZKPI XCNXGU • 6CEQ ' 5GTKGU '%/ GPGTI[ GHƂEKGPV OQVQTU • IBC HC Series 160,000 BTUH boilers W E T

“What really stands out for all the installations is the boiler that was installed, which also takes care of all the domestic hot water use,�

McRoberts says.

By adding a circulation pump on the last hot water outlet, homeowners can have a seemingly endless supply of hot water without waiting for it to reach the taps. “There’s no waste.�

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53

HYDRONIC PRODUCTS Hydraulic separator Precision Hydronic Products’ Mini-Sep hydraulic separators can be used to create primary/secondary piping layouts.

The unit can have system piping on either side, to accommodate different layouts. Models with 1” supply connections are designed for use with systems up to 100,000 BTUH. The 1-1/4” model can be used for systems with a capacity of up to 200,000 BTUH.

www. phpinc.us

Gas-fired boiler The Vitodens 222-F from Viessmann is a gasfired condensing boiler that features pre-installed pressure and temperature relief valves and a fully enclosed heating expansion tank. The model has a built-in three-speed DHW and space heating pump with diverter valve. The units are available in 12,000 and 125,000 BTUH sizes, with AFUE efficiencies of 95%.

Thermostatic mixing valves Available in 3/8” to 1” sizes, Webstone’s thermostatic mixing valves are offered in eight different end connections in three different temperature ranges. The line includes a high-temperature hydronic model, which offers a temperature range from 104˚F to 176˚F. All models are certified lead-free, feature forged brass construction, and include removable check valves on inlets.

www. webstonevalves.com

www. viessmann.ca

DEMAND THE BEST CHEMICAL

Melting control

SINCE 1981

The tekmar WiFi Snow Melting Control 670 is designed to be used with snow and ice melting systems in roads and walkway surfaces. The control works with the company’s Snow/Ice Sensor, which detects when snow or ice is present, and can be used with a proprietary mobile application to allow for remote operation and monitoring.

www. tekmarcontrols.com

Parallel sensorless controller

1-800-567-9791 WWW.HOODCHEMICAL.COM

HiTech Dispensing Inc.

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Designed to control a pumping system ystem with up to eight pumps, the Parallel llel Sensorless Controller from Bell & Gossett is configured to maximize vidual system efficiency by allowing individual pumps to take control of inactive units, ensuring consistent flow and pressure. sure.

It is equipped with a 5.7” touchscreen to view real-time feedback..

www. bellgossett.com

HYDRONIC PRODUCTS Hybrid heating solution The Dual-Tech series of condensing wall-hung instantaneous combi boilers from Radiant feature built-in circulator pumps, expansion tanks and air bleeders. Available in natural gas or propane, the units are offered in 98,000 and 116,000 BTUH sizes, have efficiencies of 97% and have either 8 or 20 litres of indirect DHW storage, dependent upon on the model.

Residential and light commercial Available in four models ranging from 175,000 to 399,000 BTUH, Navien’s NFB fire tube boilers are designed for residential and light commercial applications. The line offers 10:1 turndown ratios, efficiencies of 95% AFUE, flexible venting options and remote access via mobile applications. Up to 16 units can be cascaded together.

www. navieninc.com

www. radianthydronics.com

Fire tube boiler

Combination boiler

The Advantus boiler from Camus is a two-pass counter-flow fire tube unit with thermal efficiencies of up to 99%. With inputs ranging from 450,000 to 4,000,000 BTUH, the model has a down-turn ratio of up to 25:1. It is equipped with a 7” colour touchscreen.

The Brute FT Wall Hung boiler from Bradford White can be used for heating and domestic hot water or heating-only applications. The units offer efficiencies of 95 AFUE in natural gas and propane models. Powered by a fire-tube heat exchanger, the boilers can be vented up to 100 feet and offer 10:1 modulation.

www. camus-hydronics.com

www. bradfordwhite.com

Your Bridge to Success SMART CONTROL™ enhanced operating system • 3 combi models: 110,000; 150,000 and 199,999 btu/hr • 4 heating only models: 80,000; 110,000; 150,000 and 199,999 • stainless steel fire tube heat exchanger • easy installation and serviceability • 10:1 modulation ratio • text based user friendly interface

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We have another trick up our sleeve...

Onboard Storage!

Welcome to the Dual Tech®. Patented Radiant technology uniquely combines onboard storage for tank-type reliability, on-demand DHW for endless comfort, and hyper-efficient central heating. And all integrated in one compact, easy-to-install wall hung unit. With the lowest pressure drop in the industry, the only thing missing is a plate heat exchanger!

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Available in 99,000 and 116,000 btu 97% efficient 8 or 20 litres of onboard storage Combi-Tech® stainless steel dual coil heat exchanger 10:1 modulation Continuous flow rates to 267 gpm/hr hr 2” PVC vent approved Wifi connectivity

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES: TRUCKS

B y Ho war d J. Elmer Howard J. Elmer is an automotive journalist and the founder of the Canadian Truck King Challenge. Be sure to check out the test drives of these 2018 trucks at www.truckking.ca.

Changes

PICKUP momentum Wheelbase:

122”, 141”, 145”, 157”, 163”

Cab Styles:

Regular, SuperCab, SuperCrew

Engine Size:

3.3L V6, 3.5L V6 (EcoBoost), 2.7L V6 (EcoBoost), 5.0L V8

Power (hp/torque): Max. Payload:

3,270 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity: Box Sizes:

290/265, 375/470, 325/400, 395/400

Regular, SuperCab, SuperCrew 6.2L V8, 6.7L turbo-diesel 385/430, 450/935

Max. Payload:

7,630 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

34,000 lb. (F450)

Box Sizes:

6’8”, 8’

2018 FORD SUPER DUTY F250 TO F450

2018 FORD RAPTOR Updated last year to conform to the aluminum F-series body, the Raptor is unique. It’s two-inches taller and six-inches wider than the regular truck and it also features 37-inch BF Goodrich KO2 tires. The 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine is a special HO edition that makes 450 hp and 510 lb.-ft. of torque through the 10-speed automatic transmission.

13,200 lb.

5’5”, 6’5”, 8’

Cab Styles: Power (hp/torque):

T

With these new models on the way, buyers can shop existing 2018 stock and expect significant discounts.

142”, 156”, 158”, 176”

Engine Size:

he 2018 model year welcomes a new Ford F-150, the most popular pickup in Canada. This is the second version of the aluminum body F-series, and it is updated with a host of new electronics and powertrains.

Competitors Ram and Chevy are never far behind in this hypercompetitive market, but both of those new half-ton trucks are slotted for 2019. Still, these models have been revealed and orders will be taken now for late year delivery.

Wheelbase:

2018 FORD F150

This is the big one for this model year. The F-150 is refining its aluminum-body truck by increasing payload and towing capacity. The new base V6 engine is now a 3.3L, mated to a six-speed automatic. All other engines employ the 10-speed SelectShift automatic. Other new features include an auto start-stop for all engines and selectable drive modes.

All new just last year, the Super Duty line does offer a few small tweaks in the 2018s. The F-450 Crew Cab offers an eight-foot box on its 4x2 configuration trucks. Also, a black/dark Marsala interior is available for Platinum edition trucks, while the King Ranch pickup features an antique-effect leather.

Rearview cameras are now standard on the base XL series truck, and the power stroke diesel has bumped up its power and added 1,500 lb. to its maximum trailer tow rating.

Wheelbase:

141”, 150”, 170”

Cab Styles:

Regular, Crew Cab, Mega Cab

Engine Size: Power (hp/torque):

5.7L V8 Hemi, 6.7L turbo-diesel, 6.4L V8 Hemi 383/400, 385/900, 410/429

Max. Payload: Max. Towing Capacity: Box Sizes:

7,390 lb.

31,210 lb.

6’4”, 8’

2018 RAM TRUCK HD 2500 AND 3500 The HD Ram is scheduled for a major update in the 2020 model year. In the meantime, it carries on with it current capacities.

Its top weight rating is 31,210 lb., and the optional high-output version of its 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel will make 385 hp and 900 lb.-ft. of torque.

There are two gas engine options, plus manual and automatic transmissions.

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES: TRUCKS Wheelbase:

133”, 144”, 154”, 167”

Cab Styles:

Regular, Double Cab, Crew Cab

Engine Size: Power (hp/torque):

6L V8, 6.6L turbo-diesel 360/380, 445/910

Max. Payload: Max. Towing Capacity: Box Sizes:

2018 RAM 1500 This is the last year for this generation of Ram. With the 2019 Ram already launched, 2018 is strictly carry-over, however many of its current features continue to be popular and some are still class-exclusive, including active-level four-corner air suspension and the multilink coil spring rear suspension system.

Watch for the Rebel version of the Ram 1500, which to date has been mostly an appearance package, to atu ture ress get real off-road tech and features in the 2019 version.

Wheelbase:

6’5”, 8’

2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO HD 2500 & 3500 Chevrolet has announced that the next-generation Silverado HD will debut as a 2020 model, but there are a few upgrades to the current model in the meantime. A new digital steering assist system and the gooseneck/fifth wheel package will now include a spray-in bedliner.

Chevrolet MyLink will come with an 8” touchscreen and Apple CarPlay.

2018 RAM POWERWAGON The Power Wagon occupies a unique niche in the road segment as it’s based on the Ram 2500 chassis.

It features a 6.4-L Hemi V8 (410 hp and 429 lb.-ft. of torque), a unique Ram “Articulink” front suspension and a towing capacity of up to 10,030 lb.

off-

120.5”, 141”, 150”, 170”

Cab Styles: Engine Size:

7,374 lb.

23,200 lb.

Regular, Quad Cab, Crew Cab, 5.7L V8 Hemi, 3.6L V6, 3.0L EcoDiesel

Power (hp/torque):

2018 TOYOTA TACOMA TRD PRO

395/410, 305/269, 240/420

Max. Towing Capacity: 3L EcoDiesel: 9,200 lb.; 3.6L V6: 7,450 lb.; 5.7L V8: 10,649 lb.

Box Sizes:

The TRD Pro adds to the basic Tacoma, allowing it to be an off-roader that features multi-terrain select 4WD, crawl control, beefed up front and rear suspension, and Bilstein shocks.

6’4”, 5’7”, 8’

2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA

2018 TOYOTA TACOMA There are no real changes to Tacoma for 2018.

Its 3.5L Atkinson cycle V6 is available with a five-speed manual (2.7L only), a six-speed manual, or six-speed automatic Super ECT with lockup torque converter.

Wheelbase:

127”

Cab Styles:

Access Cab, Double Cab

Engine Size: Power (hp/torque):

2.7L I-4, 3.5L V6 159/180, 278/265

Max. Payload:

1,500 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

6,500 lb.

Box Sizes:

5’, 6’

The basic Tundra gets updated design cues, additional safety technologies including Toyota Safety Sense, and upgraded convenience technologies this year. Toyota has also added a TRD Sport model to its 2018 lineup. This package features TRD Sport-tuned Bilstein shocks, a sport-tuned suspension with front and rear sway bars, 20” alloy wheels, power sliding rear window, navigation system, garage door opener, clearance and back-up sensors, hood scoop, anti-theft system, LED headlamps, fog lamps, and TRD detailing.

2018 CHEVY COLORADO ZR2 This off-road offering was big last year. For 2018 it remains the same, but it continues to create waves as it pushes Toyota to try harder and Ford to announce a Raptor version of its Ranger; which isn’t even built yet. It features front and rear electronic locking differentials; DSSVTM damper technology, a lifted frame and 31” Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires.

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Wheelbase:

127”, 146”

Cab Styles:

Regular, Double Cab, CrewMax

Engine Size: Power (hp/torque): Max. Payload:

4.6L V8, 5.7L V8 310/327, 381/401 1,710 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

10,000 lb.

Box Sizes:

5’, 6’5”, 8’

EQUIP YOUR TEAM WITH THE BEST FLEET VALUE IN CANADA

When it comes to your fleet, depend on Ford to provide you with the best Economical solutions. We’ve been awarded “Best Fleet Value in Canada” for three years running*, plus “Lowest Cost of Ownership”* by Vincentric. We’ll also keep you Equipped with the tools, technology and vehicles you want, make operations more Efficient, and provide you with dedicated service and Engagement to help you find Effective solutions.

EXPERIENCE THE E’S OF EXPERTISE AT FLEET.FORD.CA

Vehicles may be shown with optional features. *Based on an analysis of the 2015, 2016, and 2017 Vincentric Best Fleet Value in Canada awards as performed by Vincentric LLC. ©2018 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. All rights reserved.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES: TRUCKS 2018 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500

Next model year will see all-new editions of the Silverado and GMC Sierra. These have already been revealed, and the changes will be many including a new small diesel engine. As such, 2018 is strictly carry-over year, but Chevy is offering some nice limited edition packages to celebrate its 100th anniversary of building trucks this year.

Wheelbase:

119”, 133”, 158”

Cab Styles:

Regular, Double Cab, Crew Cab

Engine Size:

4.3L V6, 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8

Power (hp/torque):

285/305, 355/383, 420/460

Max Payload: Max Towing Capacity: Box Sizes:

2,250 lb.

12,500 lb.

5’8”, 6’6”, 8’

2018 NISSAN TITAN The 2017 Nissan Titan won Truck Trends Pickup Truck of the Year. Not a bad debut, however for this year it’s coasting along.

Wheelbase:

139.8”

Cab Styles:

Regular, Crew Cab

Engine Size:

5.6L V8

Power (hp/torque):

390/394

Max. Payload:

1,610 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

9,390 lb.

Box Sizes:

2018 HONDA RIDGELINE The Ridgeline has no changes this year. This small seller appeals to a select group with its carlike features including a fold-down tailgate that also opens sideways and a large, lockable trunk. It features all-wheel drive.

6’6”

d % te s 0 e 10ry t

ct a f

o

ferocious

bite.

shark® series 818-819-820

Model 818 - 1 HP: 115/200/230 Volt, 1 Phase Model 819 - 1.5 HP: 200/230 Volt, 1 Phase Model 820 - 2.0 HP: 200/230 Volt, 1 Phase

Redesigned to handle the most challenging sewage applications, the new 1 HP and 1.5 HP Shark® models join our 2.0 HP Shark® Model 820. A new cutter design destroys tough materials including disposable wipes.

More torque per cutter blade | Lowered amp spikes | Solids ground to less than 1/8"

1-877-710-7867 www.zoellerpumps.com

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Wheelbase:

2018 CANYON AND COLORADO Continuing to sell well, these twins are certainly one reason that we will be seeing a comeback of the Ford Ranger in 2019.

128�, 140.5�

Cab Styles:

Extended Cab, Crew Cab

Engine Size:

2.5L I-4, 3.6L V6, 2.8L turbo-diesel

Power (hp/torque):

200/191, 305/269, 181/369

Max. Payload:

1,620 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

7,700 lb. (w/diesel)

Box Sizes: Wheelbase:

151.6�

Cab Styles:

Crew Cab

Engine Size:

390/394, 310/555

Max. Payload:

12,038 lb.

Box Sizes:

125�

Cab Styles:

Crew Cab

Engine Size:

3.5L V6

Power (hp/torque):

280/262

Max. Payload:

1,600 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

3,500 lb.

Box Sizes:

The Titan XD is looking for a foothold in the truck market by offering a unique combination of a heavy half-ton chassis and Cummins 5.L V8 turbo-diesel, which will tow 12,000 lb.

It remains unchanged for 2018, but features include integrated trailer brake controller, trailer sway control, tow/ haul mode with downhill speed control, and a trailer light check system that allows one-person hook-up operation.

2,004 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

Wheelbase:

2018 NISSAN TITAN XD

5.6L V8, 5L V8 turbo-diesel

Power (hp/torque):

5’2�, 6’2�

6’6�

5’3�

COULD YOUR FLEET BE A LIABILITY?

Safety

Used Vehicle Risk

Excessive Repairs & Downtime

New Accounting Standards

,KO 2CVVKUQP .GCUG ECP OKVKICVG VJGUG TKUMU D[ RTQXKFKPI [QW YKVJ HWNN ƔGGV OCPCIGOGPV UQNWVKQPU KPENWFKPI ENQUGF GPF QRGTCVKPI NGCUGU ƓV HQT RWTRQUG vehicles and maintenance management programs.

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B u s i n e s s

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HVAC TOOLS

By M a r k Pa r l i a m e n t

THE

RIGHT TOOLS CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

If you are not installing air conditioning units, you’re maintaining these machines, which means ensuring that you have the right tools for the tasks you’ll be performing for your customers.

Thankfully, tool choices are plentiful for our sector, but there are a number of “must-have” tools that I turn to, since they are designed for ease of use, comfort and accuracy – and ultimately make the task of installing and maintaining this mechanical equipment much easier.

And please note, while you’ll see a number of my tools in these pages, I am not beholden to any particular brand of product on the tools front, but quality is important, so I tend to stick with some of the better-known brands out there when it comes to equipment that I need to be in calibration with good precision and accuracy.

CHECK THE FLOW Before beginning any maintenance on the air conditioning system, it is important to gain a proper understanding of the total system performance. To properly evaluate the system, the first test to run should be for proper airflow.

Without knowing the proper airflow, we cannot be sure that subsequent readings are accurate, no matter the brand or make of tool we use. After all, garbage in (incorrect readings) equals garbage out (incorrect troubleshooting).

By using a manometer and static tips after the filter and before the air conditioning coil, you can see the external static pressure that the air mover (furnace or air handler) is being subjected to on the duct system.

By consulting the manufacturer’s blower performance charts, you will be able to see the exact CFM that is being pushed across the coil. Once you ensure that the system is seeing the proper airflow, you can then move on to a more in-depth diagnosis of the system.

HOW MUCH HEAT? The next step is to calculate the enthalpy. Air conditioners are designed to remove enthalpy (total heat). Without knowing how much total heat the air conditioning unit is removing, there is no way to know if the system is doing what it is designed to do.

A digital psychrometer placed in the supply and return gives us both wet bulb and dry bulb readings from the air stream. By comparing these readings to the psychrometric chart, we can then be able to surmise the system’s enthalpy. The difference in the readings between the supply and return of the unit equals the total heat, or enthalpy, that is being removed from the system.

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WE’RE MOVING WESTWARD

OPEN

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HVAC TOOLS

WHAT’S THE AMP DRAW? Another important factor in understanding the performance of the overall system is to learn the amp draw of the PSC motor (and this is really what a compressor is). This will help you see the amount of work that is truly being performed by the compressor.

By clamping on the common wire with a digital clamp multimeter, we will be able to read the current draw of the compressor and compare it to o the current draw of the system.

A compressor that has a very low ow amp draw is technically not doing oing any work. This is a possible indication of a system that is undercharged. On the opposite side of the spectrum, a compressor showing a very high amp draw is a warning that the compression is working hard, and that you may have an overcharged system.

Once we know the correct airflow readings, enthalpy and power consumption, we can get a more complete picture of how the air conditioning unit is performing, and that information can now be used as a starting point to troubleshoot the system.

One of the most common customer complaints is temperature fluctuations throughout the house.

You may, for example, find a change in airflow between seasons. There could be uneven airflow during the summer months while air circulated

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Based out of Westport, Ont., Mark Parliament has over 30 years of experience in the HVACR industry and is a senior training consultant with Lennox Learning Solutions. To connect with Mark, email Alexandra Wennberg at awennberg@mavencommunications.ca.

HOOKING UP THE MANIFOLD

EVENING OUT THE AIRFLOW perfectly during the colder seasons.

Since humid air is heavier than dry air, it is harder to move through the system, and this could cause uneven airflow once the outdoor temperatures rise.

A rotating vane anemometer can be used to read the velocity and air volume and to measure unevenly distributed or fluctuating throws through the cooling coils, extract grilles and registers.

Placing the rotating vane anemometer in the air stream as the air exits the register or grille will measure the airflow and calculate its speed. Using the grille manufacturer’s data, you can then calculate the throw of the register to ensure it is throwing far enough into the room to get a good enough mixture in the air before stratification.

One of the final things to do in the diagnostic sequence is to hook up a gauge manifold to the air conditioning system.

Sadly, this is often one of the first things technicians do, which can create incorrect readings on all subsequent tests. This is because any time a conventional hose and dial type manifold is hooked up, there is a small amount of refrigerant removed from the system. A system that was properly charged at installation could quickly become undercharged from all the hose connections and disconnections completed during a maintenance visit.

The nice thing about hose-less and wireless manifolds is that almost zero refrigerant is lost during a hookup. Some digital manifolds even come with clamp-on temperature probes and airflow thermostats that will make a technician’s life very easy when calculating things like superheat, subcooling and temperature drops across a coil.

Gone are the days where a technician had to do manual calculations to learn what a system is running for superheat or subcooling. With the proper connection of the clamp-on temperature probes and insertion of the airflow temperature probes into the ductwork air stream, the digital gauges will make all the calculations for you.

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65

CELEBRITY ENCOUNTER

By Adam Freill

He shoots, he scores?

For most Canadian kids, playing ice hockey is a rite of passage, but a young Wickens found go-karting the fall before he was going to play his first year of Timbit hockey.

“My parents asked me if karting was what I really wanted to do, saying that if I wanted to do that, I wouldn’t be able to play hockey with my friends,” he recalled.

“I’ve actually never played in a hockey league,” he said with a laugh. “I have played shinny, and I was in a ball hockey league until I moved to Indianapolis.

Hockey is still one of my passions and is my second-favourite sport to motorsports, but I opted to take a different path.”

Peterson Motorsports Photo by Chris Owens; James Hinchcliffe and Robert Wickens Sebring Photo by Joe Skibinski; INDYCAR (and Design) are trademarks of Brickyard Trademarks, Inc., used with permission.

“My career would have never happened if we had to pay a mechanic to work on my karts. The fact that I had my brother and my dad there all the time was just awesome.”

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or race car driver Robert Wickens, when it comes to motorsports, it’s a family affair.

The native of Guelph, Ont., is in his first full IndyCar season, but he’s no stranger to racing. His path to the IndyCar cockpit has been long in the making, and he’s not one to take things for granted. He and his family have worked too long and hard for that.

Wickens’ first exposure to racing was through the Waterloo Regional Kart Club in 1997.

It wasn’t long before he was winning series championships.

At 16, he started his formula racing career, racing extensively in Europe for the next 12 years, picking up numerous podium finishes and a pair of series championship wins along the way.

Prior to the start of the 2018 IndyCar season, Wickens joined his best friend, and fellow IndyCar driver, James Hinchcliffe on the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team, and it’s been a strong debut season.

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All in the family; All for the family

Friends, on and off the track

Robert Wickens describes his family as pretty average, as far as Canadian families in Southwestern Ontario go. His father was a mechanic in a factory and his mom drove a school bus, and when it came to fostering their son’s passion for motorsports, they did all that they could to support him.

“Ultimately, I guess they saw my potential and how happy racing made me, and they would do anything they could to allow me to live my dream. They are the hardest working people I know.”

Wickens doesn’t hide the admiration that he holds for how much his parents did to allow him to race, and his gratitude also extends to his brother, Trevor, who took a part-time job working at a local kart shop to earn parts and tire credits for his race weekends.

“The amount of sacrifice that they gave in order for me to be able to live my dream is something that I will be forever grateful for and forever trying to pay them back for,” he said.

“If it wasn’t for them, my racing career would have lasted two years.”

He and Trevor, who is now one of the most highly respected karting coaches and tuners in Canada, would ride their bikes to a local kart shop after school and work there from 4 until 9 p.m., go home, do their homework and then go to school the next day.

“That has made me the driver that I am today,” said Robert. “I feel like I have never taken anything for granted. You need to work hard for everything.”

An early start Wickens doesn’t really know why racing clicked for him, but he’s glad that it did, and that it pretty much found him at an early age.

“From what I have heard, I was a bit of a brat when I was a kid,” he laughed recalling his introduction to fast cars. “I got a toy car that I just loved and from that point on, if there was a Formula 1 race on TV it was like I was hypnotized by the race.”

His parents would record races on VHS tapes, and would play them for him during the week.

“Kids would be watching Barney or Sesame Street, and I would be watching last weekend’s Formula 1 race,” he said. “And then I would re-enact the race with my little toy cars and my carpet race track.”

DID YOU KNOW?

This year’s racing season isn’t the first time that Wickens has paired up with fellow Canadian James Hinchcliffe. The two have been best friends for over a decade, first meeting at the kart track when Robert was 12 and Hinchcliffe 14.

“We were racing for the same team in karting,” said Wickens. “We just hit it off. We became good friends instantly.”

What started off as hanging out at the racetrack soon turned into hanging out away from the track as well.

“We have kept a very strong relationship our whole lives even though our careers went in very different avenues for a while,” he shared. “We stayed in very close contact, and now it is super cool that we both get to race Indy cars alongside each other.”

Knowing each other so well, and having similar formative years, has been a big plus for the team.

They both like a similar setup to their cars, and approach driving in much the same way, but that doesn’t mean that there’s no fire to win when the two hit the track against each other.

“We’ve always had a very friendly competitive relationship. In karting, James would go and do a lap time and I would go ‘Oh yeah?’ and go out and up the bar, and he would go out and up the bar. It was constant; never ending,” said Wickens. “We kept pushing each other our whole childhood, and it obviously made both of us better drivers. It is the same thing in IndyCar.”

James Hinchcliffe was the May/June 2013 Mechanical Business cover celebrity. You can find that article in our back issues, available online at www.mechanicalbusiness.com.

Finding the podium at home Racing in the only Canadian stop on this year’s IndyCar schedule, teammates Wickens and Hinchcliffe thrilled the local fans, finishing third and fourth, respectively. For Wickens, this was his third podium finish and ninth top-10 result in his rookie season in the series.

“Thankfully, I’m not an overly teary guy, but that was really cool,” he said of the ovation he received from the hometown crowd when he stepped out of the car. “To stand on the podium in my first professional home race, I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

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PLUMBING

Jason Fleming is a 20-year plumbing industry veteran who serves as vice-president of sales and marketing for Noritz America. He can be reached at Jfleming@noritz.com.

By Jason Fleming

TACKLING TANKLESS

DHW Gas Supply

Tankless water heaters will typically use higher gas quantities than their tank counterparts to meet a sudden demand for hot water without storage, so the installer must ensure that the LÕ ` } >Ã ÃÕvwV i Ì }>Ã «ÀiÃÃÕÀi Ì meet all the building’s gas needs.

W

ith a long history of use in Europe and Asia, tankless water heaters have been making significant inroads in North America over the past several years. As more and more plumbers are installing this technology, the need for proper installation guidelines is becoming greater than ever.

Installers accustomed to tank-only installs need to understand some of the things that make tankless water heater installations different from storage-type water heaters, and how these can impact the selection, installation and maintenance of these units.

Once the gas meter’s capacity is V wÀ i`] Ì i }>à i ii`Ã Ì Li adequately sized to supply enough gas to the water heater. A typical tankless water heater will need a 3/4” gas line, LÕÌ v Ì iÀi à ÃÕvwV i Ì «ÀiÃÃÕÀi > ` the run length is short enough, it may be possible to use a half-inch line, which is used by most existing storage tank-type water heaters.

But be sure to account for all the appliances using this line, not just the water heater, and verify gas requirements and sizing with local licensing rules and codes.

Neutralizing the condensate for drainage

Let it breathe Like any combustion appliance, gasfired tankless units need a sufficient amount of incoming air for the combustion process to operate properly.

The size of the openings for combustion air — from indoors or outdoors — is based upon the tankless unit’s BTUH input.

If the heater draws combustion air from the surrounding indoors, one square inch of combustion-air opening is needed for every 1,000 BTUH of the appliance. If the heater draws air from the outside, the openings required are at a rate of one square inch per 4,000 BTUH.

Special considerations need to be Ì> i Ü i ÃÌ> } } ivwV i VÞ condensing tankless water heaters. Ƃ LÞ«À `ÕVÌ v V>«ÌÕÀ } > ` ÀiÕà } >Ìi Ì i>Ì vÀ Ì i V LÕÃÌ process is an acidic condensate that ÕÃÌ Li > ` i` >««À «À >Ìi Þ Liv Ài Ì ÛiÃ Ì Ì i `À> >}i ÃÞÃÌi °

iV V> LÕ ` } V `ià v À Ã>vi ` ë Ã> «À Vi`ÕÀið Ƃ iÕÌÀ> âiÀ >Þ Li ÀiµÕ Ài` Ì «À ÌiVÌ Ì i « Õ L }°

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PLUMBING

PICKING THE RIGHT SIZE The type of tankless water heater chosen for any given application will depend on incoming water temperatures and building use patterns.

The temperature rise between the desired hot-water temperature and the incoming ground water temperature will indicate how hard the water heater must work to provide hot water for the application.

Incoming ground water temperature can be measured directly or estimated by a knowledgeable professional, but for sizing purposes, the typical worst-case scenario (the middle of winter) should be assumed, to ensure adequate hot-water availability year-round.

Table 1: Approximate Fixture Flow Rates

To maintain the proper flow to meet the simultaneous DHW needs of the entire building, it’s important to calculate the amount of hot water typically used at any given time, or the peak amount that could be needed.

To do this, count the quantity of fixtures of each type (dishwasher, shower heads, etc.) and then multiply each of these numbers by the flow rate of the respective fixture. Table 1 displays a list of common fixtures and some approximate flow rates.

4.0 GPM

Shower

2.5 GPM

Washing Machine

2.0 GPM

Dishwasher

1.5 GPM

Kitchen Sink

1.5 GPM

For example, if a building has three fixtures: one shower with a flow rate of 2.5 gpm; a washing machine, at 2 gpm; and a handwashing sink, at 0.75 gpm, the total demand to meet is 5.25 gpm.

Finally, calculate the sum of all these flow rates as if all the appliances were operating simultaneously. The tankless water heater must be able to deliver this maximum flow rate at the desired temperature rise.

Setting the temp.

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For residential applications, the hot water set point temperature should only be slightly above the highest temperature needed for domestic uses. Shower temperatures are usually between 104°F and 106°F, so a tankless water heater should rarely be set above 115° to 120°F. Scalding is more likely to occur when temperatures exceed 125°F, so it is generally not recommended to set the water heater higher than this.

Since tankless water heaters do not store any hot water, they are not susceptible to L>VÌiÀ > }À ÜÌ ] > ` Ì iÞ V Ì Õ ÕÃ Þ yÕÃ any internal water with every use, so there is no sanitary reason to maintain a high set point temperature.

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Water quality is an important consideration for all water equipment, and especially water heaters. Of particular note is water hardness, which is a measure of the minerals, mainly magnesium and calcium, it contains.

When heated, these minerals can precipitate out to form limescale. This coats pipes and acts as an ÃÕ >Ì À] Ài`ÕV } i>Ì ÌÀ> ÃviÀ ivwV i VÞ > ` increasing thermal stress, which can ultimately reduce the water heater’s lifespan. As such, scheduled maintenance should include descaling of the water heater’s heat exchanger coils.

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Video inspection system tem The Gen-Eye video inspection system m from General Pipe Cleaners is designed to record videos and photos on a USB with up to es a 128 GB capacity. The system includes 10.5” LCD colour monitor, full-size and waterproof keyboard, date and time stamp, g and voiceover microphone. Weighing 12 lb., the model is contained in a heavy-duty Pelican case.

Backflow preventer The 574 Series reduced pressure zone backflow preventer from Caleffi can be used in either commercial or residential plumbing systems with a maximum working pressure of 150 psi. Designed to prevent contamination when there is a reduction of pressure in the supply system or if there is an increase of pressure in the plumbing system, they are available in 1/2” and 3/4” pipe sizes.

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Pressure boosting system Franklin Electric’s inline 1100 SpecPAK Pressure Boosting System is a packaged system designed to boost water pressure in applications requiring more than one pump. The system is configurable for use with most commercial, industrial or large residential plumbing configurations.

As water volume needs increase, the pump instantly accelerates to the proper speed to ensure the water pressure stays constant throughout the application.

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Commercial condensing water heaters Lochinvar’s Armor line includes five models ranging from 1.25 million to 4 million BTUH. Offering 98% thermal efficiencies, the units are equipped with 8” touchscreens and use the company’s CON•X•US technology, allowing the user to monitor and adjust control from a mobile app.

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Instant water heater Bradley Corp’s Keltech tankless water heater offers instantaneous delivery of water for commercial, industrial and safety applications. Designed to draw on energy only when needed, the model only requires three square feet of space and can generate 491,000 BTUH. It is equipped with copper tubing and brass castings. www.

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Installation-ready sprinkler Victaulic’s FireLock IGS GS grooved sprinklers can n be installed using a torquee wrench.

Equipped with one-bolt, lt, it is attached onto sprinklers ers with a connection size of 1/2”, 2”, 3/4” or 1” and transitions to a 1” outlet.

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QUATTRO’S CORNER

Andrew Quattrociocchi, C.B.C.O., is the deputy chief building official for the Township of Oro-Medonte, and a director with the Ontario Plumbing Inspectors Association. If you have any questions or a funny photo you would like to possibly see in an upcoming edition of Quattro’s Corner, feel free to send an email to Andrew at quattroscorner@hotmail.com.

By A ndr e w Qu a t t r o c i o c c h i

What’s cooking

in that kitchen?

F

or this edition of Quattro’s Corner, I’m taking you behind the scenes of a restaurant’s kitchen, a small kitchen, but a kitchen nonetheless.

Throughout my years of inspecting, I have found that commercial kitchens tend to cause the most problems for plumbers. Multiple compartment kitchen sinks, required handwashing stations and the dreaded indirect connection can complicate things.

Most would think the requirements for fixtures in commercial kitchens would be found in Part 7 of the OBC or National Plumbing Code of Canada but look for other sections where this may be covered.

For example, in the Ontario Building Code most requirements are found in Division B Part 3, specifically 3.7.6. Food Premises (Ontario).

This section outlines the minimum requirements for fixtures, the location of fixtures and room finishes. To paraphrase that section, if utensils are to be cleaned, there’s a need for a three-compartment sink, three sinks or, with specific caveats, a two-compartment sink or two sinks.

A separate handwashing sink is also required, and must be in a convenient location for employees.

Don’t forget your cleanouts We always seem to miss cleanouts, and they are required in so many locations, especially at changes of directions and kitchen sinks.

The sink setup in the photo appears to meet the basic code requirements, but let’s look deeper.

What’s wrong The trap serving both the handwashing station and threecompartment kitchen sink is not permitted, as per section 7.4.5.1 (2) of the OBC and 2.4.5.1.(2) of the NPC. Looking at the fixture outlet pipe of the hand washing station, I see trouble there as well. OBC section 7.4.8.2.(1) and NPC section 2.4.8.2.(1) state, “…the developed length of every fixture outlet pipe shall not exceed 1,200 mm (1.2 m).”

Clearly the distance from the handwashing station to the trap on the three-compartment sink exceeds this requirement, not to mention that no clean-out is installed.

Both the OBC and NPC state that the part of the fixture outlet pipe common to three compartments of a sink needs to be a size larger than the largest fixture outlet pipe of the compartment it serves. This sink has a minimum 1-1/2” fixture outlet pipe and a hydraulic load of 1.5 per compartment or bowl.

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In Ontario, Table 7.4.10.7 lists a maximum load of 4 fixture units for a 1-1/2” pipe. The NPC lists a maximum load of 3 fixture units for that size drain.

The trap and the connection at the third compartment should have been increased to 2 inches in size and the hand-washing sink should have been separately vented and connected separately to the drainage system.

Wow! Who would have thought that what looked like a good install could be wrong in so many ways? Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the different requirements and where to find them in the Building Code.

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CIPH ABC 2018: Stepping up to the changing market More than 300 members of the industry took the trek up the Sea to Sky Highway in B.C. for CIPH’s 86th annual general meeting and business conference in mid-June. The event, held at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, presented an opportunity to network, catch up on industry happenings and to take in advice from a full slate of experts, including business consultant Michael Marks who advised, “The dumbest guy in the market always dictates the price.”

He discussed how the country is experiencing a transition from a service economy to a digital economy. “I am very optimistic about the future of this industry, but you are going to change,” he said. The 2019 edition of the CIPH ABC is scheduled for June 16 to 19 at the Delta Prince Edward in Charlottetown, PEI. ciph.com ph.com

1

3

2

4

6

5

8 7

1. Wolseley Canada’s Rick Elliott, Gail Kaufman and Kevin Fullan.

2. From left: Former CIPH chairman Paul McDonald, Susan Senese, outgoing chairman Joe Senese and former CIPH chairman John Hammill. 3. CIPH president and general manager Ralph Suppa shows how to spell Y-M-C-A. 4. Barclay Sales president Jeff Blair belts out a tune during live karaoke. 5.

From left: Jon and Linda Leeson, Laurie and Michael Kotyck, looking sharp for the chairman’s banquet. 6. HRAI’s Sandy MacLeod, Rheem’s Dave McPherson and Emco’s Sean Kelly enjoy the sunshine. 7. Conference keynote speaker John Furlong, the former CEO of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic organizing committee, and the father of a plumber, proclaimed that, “The games of 2010 went down as a ‘nation building event.’” 8.

Canadian Hydronics Council chair Dave Hughes discusses the challenges the sector is facing. 9. Incoming chairman Allen Taylor (left) presents a plaque and gavel to Susan and Joe Senese. 10. Local bear expert Michael Allen explained that the conditions created by the Whistler resort make it an ideal bear habitat.

9 10

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8"5&3 *4 5)& 4063$& 0' -*'& 5IBUþT SFBTPO FOPVHI GPS VT UP NBLF IZHJFOJD ESJOLJOH XBUFS PVS IJHIFTU QSJPSJUZ $MFBO ESJOLJOH XBUFS JT UIF NPTU WBMVBCMF BTTFU PO &BSUI JUT QSFTFSWBUJPO XBT JT BOE BMXBZT XJMM CF POF PG PVS NPTU JNQPSUBOU UPQJDT 8FþSF OPU POMZ SJTJOH UP UIF DIBMMFOHF UIBU UIJT CSJOHT UP FWFSZEBZ JOTUBMMBUJPO TZTUFNT XF BMTP BDDFQU PVS SFTQPOTJCJMJUZ BT B HMPCBM NBSLFU MFBEFS 7JFHB $POOFDUFE JO RVBMJUZ

WJFHB VT "CPVU VT

STUFF YOU NEED Thermal imaging camera Ideal for inspections and locating water damage, and available with optional interchangeable lenses (14°, 24°, 42°), Flir’s E85 thermal imaging camera offers a wide angle to telephoto view. The interface is viewed on a 4” touchscreen made of scratch-resistant Dragontrail glass.

www. flir.com

Large angle grinder Milwaukee Tool’s M18 Fuel 7”/9” Large Angle Grinder is designed to deliver the power of a 15-amp corded grinder. The unit uses the company’s Redlink Plus battery technology to prevent overheating or over discharge. The brushless motor spins the grinding wheel up to 6,600 RPM.

www. milwaukeetool.ca

Input meter data logger ogger Hoskin’s EG4115 Core is a 15-channel energy meter designed ed to monitor multiple circuits in any ny residential or commercial energy monitoring application. The meter er can support a HomePlug AV powerline, an Ethernet port and two USB ports. Each unit contains a data logger and an embedded web server.

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Pliers set Stanley’s 3-piece Simulated Diamond Grip Pliers Set features industrial grade simulated diamond coated jaws for gripping or pulling an object. The set includes 8” longnose pliers, slip joint pliers and linesman pliers. Each tool is designed with bi-material and ergonomic grips.

www. stanleytools.com

Tripod vise The Carry Light Tripod Vise from Reed offers a 6” pipe capacity.

Constructed with aluminum legs, the vise weighs 28 pounds and is equipped with double-sided jaws so that it can work on both plastic and metal pipe. The model can be folded and easily carried.

Professional tool backpack Fluke’s Pack30 Professional Tool Backpack is designed with more than 30 pockets and pouches to carry a variety of tools and accessories. The pack has a waterproof moulded section to protect the bottom of the bag from water and other elements. The base is designed to stand upright and prevent tools from becoming disorganized.

www. reedmfgco.com

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Marketing Building an effective campaign If you’re convinced radio is worth looking at, the next step is to build an effective, creative campaign. Not all radio ads are created equal, and there are a few things to keep in mind when conceiving your concepts cep epts ts or writing scripts.

The first is to keep it simple. T Thirty h rt hi rtyy seconds goes quickly, and the mo most ost st common mistake is to write a scriptt that says too much. One clear fact or message, followed by a call-to-action, should be your goal. Remember that you can record several commercials to run in a campaign. Spread your messages across them.

Think carefully before accepting the station’s offer to have a local announcer record the commercials for you. This risks you blending into the audio wallpaper.

Professional voice readers are easy to come by. Voxcanada.com is a great website to source actors, and the costs are surprisingly low. As little as $300 or so should get you what you need. If you’d rather record them yourself, that’s fine, provided you’re providing advice and not just extolling your virtues – and, that you’re actually pretty good at it.

We’ve all cringed at the commercials with business owners who just needed to hear themselves on the radio (or their kids – no, no, no).

Jingles work. Think Sleep Country Canada. Guaranteed, 9 of 10 readers now have that jingle stuck in your heads (you’re welcome). A small investment with a local musician or studio should need a great result that can last for years and become an iconic local advertising story.

with DOUG MACMILLAN

Re-examining T

raditional advertising has a bit of a bad rap these days.

Television? Expensive to produce and run, and who’s watching TV anymore? Newspaper? The smaller ones are being shuttered, and the bigger dailies are struggling. Magazines? Specialty trade publications (like the one in your hands) have maintained a foothold because of their highly targeted and qualified audiences, but consumer publications are searching for readers amidst a sea of bloggers.

There are plenty of reasons to carefully scrutinize old-school marketing, however if we include radio in the “that was then” category, there is a risk of throwing the baby out with the proverbial bathwater.

Local radio listenership is doing just fine.

According to Statista.com, radio listenership in Toronto jumped three per cent between Summer 2016 and Spring 2018 and is holding steady in most markets.

The Broadcast Research Council of Canada reports 90 per cent of Canadians listen to the radio, and two of every three daily commuters favour radio stations over streaming services or listening to music on personal devices. Canada Radio Media, a specialty radio advertising agency, says Canadians listen to the radio an average of two-and-a-half hours daily, so it appears that radio is weathering the digital storm just fine.

The strongest demographic is 35-to-54-year-olds. With families relying on school bus reports, retailers piping radio to shoppers, and a strong culture of giving back to the community, local radio has remained one of the most intensely local and reliable sources of news, weather and information for Canadians.

That makes it an ideal place for HVAC and plumbing contractors to reach homeowners.

A good buy I’ve liked smaller-town radio for its relative affordability (less so in large urban markets, but still good value), for the freedom it allows to be creative and playful, and especially for its versatility. On a reasonable budget, you can build a strategy that includes some or all of the opportunities outlined on page 82.

Doug MacMillan is president of The Letter M Marketing in Guelph, Ont. To reach him, email doug@thelettermmarketing.com.

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Noble is proud to be celebrating 25 years in business as one of Ontario’s leading wholesale suppliers.

1993 -2018

YEARS

Thanks to our valued customers, team members and vendor partners for helping us achieve this incredible milestone.

PLUMBING HVAC HYDRONICS INDUSTRIAL FIRE PROTECTION

noble.ca | 1-800-529-9805 Follow Noble Corporation

Marketing

SPOTLIGHTS POT

HYDRONIC PRODUCTS THE Marketplace

Options on the dial

A. O. SMITH COMMERCIAL TANKLESS RACK SYSTEM

1 2

Standard advertising in 30 or 60-second spots (I say with current attention spans, stick with 30s). One trick: pulse the campaign to stretch your budget – every few days take a break or reduce the frequency.

3

Prizes and promotions. Morning show antics usually mean they’re looking for prizes and giveaways. A gift basket of swag is a start, but also consider a high-end rain shower head, or a digital thermostat.

4

Remote on-site engagement. Most radio stations have their “remote on wheels” and can arrange a live broadcast or segments from your business. This is ideal during a time-intensive promotion or community event.

5

Share your expertise. Depending on the station, business owners can arrange for some on-air time to provide listeners with valuable tips and strategies for their homes. Some have weekend call in shows – perfect. Pitch the “non-marketing” aspects of this; that you won’t be there to toot your horn, but just offer good advice.

6

Weather-specific sponsorship. This may not be as critical for the plumbers in the crowd, but it’s an obvious alignment for HVAC companies. Tie this sponsorship up with related giveaways such as an outdoor thermometer.

A pre-built, fully-integrated ted system, A. O. Smith’s commercial tankless racks are offered in wall-mount, in-line or back-to-back free-standing ng configurations. Designed d to reduce installation time and expense while providing a clean, professional ssional look, the racks use the company’s ompany’s CT-199 condensing tankless heaters, which feature a maximum temperature setting of 185°F and Energy Star® qualified 96% thermal efficiency. Up to 20 tankless heaters can be linked with a Multi-Unit Controller.

hotwatercanada.ca BLITZFLEX – THE NEW AIR-INTAKE SOLUTION

Charitable tie-in. As mentioned, radio stations have stepped up their commitment to the community through sponsorships and on-site participation in charitable events. If your company is a title sponsor or leads a charitable initiative, a side-effect may be some profile on the radio.

Save time and money on every job with BlitzFlex, Centrotherm’s new air-intake solution.

You need only two SKUs to complete your intake run. Simply uncoil the flexible intake liner, support the run and terminate with Centrotherm’s BlitzKit. Designed to handle offsets, BlitzFlex requires no glues, primers or solvents. Visit the Centrotherm website for a time-trial video showing how quick and easy it is to install.

centrotherm.us.com 82

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The Marketplace Ads from $995

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CALENDAR OF

www.primewarranty.ca

EVENTS

CHES National Conference September 16-18, 2018 St. John’s, NL www.ches.org

Canadian Hydronics Conference November 7-8, 2018 Calgary, Alta. www.ciphexwest.ca

MCAC National Conference September 19-22, 2018 Whistler, B.C. www.mcac.ca

GreenBuild November 14-16, 2018 Chicago, Ill. www.greenbuildexpo.com

Plastic Pipes XIX Conference September 24-26, 2018 Las Vegas, Nev. www.ppxix.com

The Buildings Show November 28-30, 2018 Toronto, Ont. www.thebuildingsshow.com

ASPE Convention September 28-October 3, 2018 Atlanta, Ga. www.aspe.org

HARDI Annual Conference December 1-4, 2018 Austin, Tex. www.hardinet.org

HRAI 50th Annual Conference October 14-16, 2018 Playa del Carmen, Mexico www.hrai.ca

AHR Expo January 14-16, 2019 Atlanta, Ga. www.ahrexpo.com

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Chillventa October 16-18, 2018 Nuremburg, Germany www.chillventa.de

KBIS February 19-21, 2019 Las Vegas, Nev. www.kbis.com

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CIPHEX West November 7-8, 2018 Calgary, Alta. www.ciphexwest.ca

NAHB Int’l Builders’ Show February 19-21, 2019 Las Vegas, Nev. www.buildersshow.com

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www.reedmfgco.com PAGE #

Tel: (866) 999-2653 www.rscool.com

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BTN

Compiled by Mechanical Business

BY THE NUMBERS

COSTLY WATER In Canada, floods have surpassed home fires as the costliest cause of damage to homes.

Backwater valves can help reduce the risk of some types of flooding and could be an upsell recommendation for your customers.

94% Percentage of Canadians living in high-risk flood zones who are unaware of their risk.

LOOKING GOOD ON THE ROAD

Less than 30% Percentage of Canadians who have taken action to protect their property from flood risk.

Did you know that you’re sending out subtle signals to your customers by the condition of the vehicle you are driving?

62% Percentage of Canadians who say they take a lot of pride in their vehicle and its condition.

78% Would not let anyone smoke in a newly purchased vehicle.

45% Judge a person by the state of their vehicle’s interior.

33% Judge a person by the condition of their vehicle’s exterior.

#CANADALOVESKETCHUP Summertime is barbecue season, and most of us will default to Canada’s favourite condiment, ketchup, for our burgers and hotdogs.

$79,000 The average cost to homeowners that suffered losses during the 2013 Calgary flood.

$40,000 The average cost to homeowners that suffered losses during flooding during the 2013 GTA flood.

TARGET: NEW WORKERS o With as many as 255,000 workers expected to o retire over the next decade, there is a need to attract new workers to the sector.

226,000 Expected first-time new entrants to the construction sector, aged 30 and youngerr from the local population over the next 10 years. ears.

100,000 Expected to go into residential construction.

OFF FOR THE SUMMER?

87% Percentage of Canadians who currently have a bottle of ketchup in their refrigerator.

Summer is typically when workers take time off to relax and recharge. But just because Canadian employees take vacation days doesn’t mean they’re completely checking out, well, at least a third of them aren’t.

56% Percentage of Canadians who say that ketchup is their favourite condiment.

64% Don’t check in at all with the office 34% Do 46% Percentage of respondents aged 18 to 34 who

1.1kg Average amount of

maintain some contact with work.

ketchup consumed by each Canadian in 2018.

27% Percentage of respondents 55+ who will check in with the office.

9 Average number of vacation days employees plan to take this year.

7,506,802

Number of wireless devices recovered for recycling by Recycle My Cell since 2005. With the prevalence of construction apps, it should come as no surprise that 90% of Canadians own and use a cellphone, and 12% of us actively use two or more.

PM# 41536047

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Serenity and Symphony Shower drains from bronte™ Collection. Available able in shes a variety of styles and ďŹ nishes including Matte Black.

Add a little bling to your shower.

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Two Wires? No Problem.

Upgrading to a WiFi Thermostat just got easier 564

WiFi Thermostat 564 The new Invita™ WiFi Thermostat uses the two existing wires to connect to the mechanical room, eliminating: • Pulling new wires • Patching and repainting walls • Batteries • Unreliable power stealing • Unreliable wireless signals

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Offer customers a sleek, customizable upgrade in less time with reduced effort

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