March/April 2024

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Commercial System/Air Conditioning Issue

Case Study: Plumbing on the Sea63 Unique solutions were called for at a floating home neighbourhood

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WHENEVER PIPING IS INVOLVED

Hot Seat

Trade show season is back in full swing!

It’s that time of year again and trade show season is officially upon us. The annual AHR Expo was held this past January in Chicago, Illinois, CMPX is making its triumphant return at the end of March, and the MEET Show is back on in Moncton. You know what that means! New products to become familiar with and maybe a little extra training to boost your confidence working with the new technology.

Trade show season might just be my favourite time of year. Albeit, an exhausting time, there really isn’t any like it. There are times during the year when I start to feel a little lost at what is going on in the industry. These trade shows are such a great way for us to reconnect with our amazing readers and to actually see firsthand the technology that we write about. Getting to ask some pretty smart people questions about the products or initiatives currently underway in the industry is also an extremely beneficial part of these events.

This past AHR Expo was amazing. It was the first time I was able to attend the show in Chicago, which I had heard in the past was the best venue location for it. And it did not disappoint. During one of my meetings, I was walking around the show floor with someone who has been attending the show for well over a decade. I was sharing my thoughts on the attendance and he agreed that in his many

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years that he’s been attending the show, this year looked like one of the best attended shows he had ever been to. I’d say in the four shows that I have been to now that I would have to agree! I do feel sorry for the poor soul who tried to walk in front of me on my way to one of my meetings. I used to work downtown Toronto for a time, so I know how to maneuver through a crowd and I can’t stress enough when I say, we don’t appreciate a slow walker.

North of the border, CMPX and MEET will either be in full swing (some people might even be reading this column on the show floor of CMPX) or in full preparation mode.

I am excited to be able to catch some of the educational sessions and panel discussions at the show. We even have our booths, so if any of our lovely readers find themselves walking around the show, please make sure that you stop by our booth (CMPX: Booth #3; MEET: Booth #126). I’d love to have some conversations about the state of the industry and what are some topics that you’d like to learn a little bit more about. There is a lot going on in the industry and there is a lot that you need to stay up-to-date on. Check out our article on CSA B52 on page 20 to learn about what is going on in the world of refrigeration. The world of HVAC/R is changing. Do you feel ready?

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March/April 2024

Volume 34, Number 2

ISSN 1919-0395

Publisher

Mark Vreugdenhil

(289) 638-2133 ext.1

Cell: (416) 996-1031

mark@plumbingandhvac.ca

Editor

Leah Den Hartogh

(289) 638-2133 ext. 2

Cell: (289) 830-1217

leah@plumbingandhvac.ca

National Sales Manager

Chris Luttrell (289) 797-2138

Cell: (365) 662-4112 chris@plumbingandhvac.ca

Assistant Editor

Francesco Lo Presti (289) 638-2133 ext. 3 francesco@plumbingandhvac.ca

Contributing Writers

Glenn Mellors, Greg Scrivener, Michael Ridler, Ron Coleman

Design and Production

Tim Norton/Janet Popadiuk production@plumbingandhvac.ca

All articles and photos by Plumbing & HVAC staff unless noted.

PLUMBING & HVAC Magazine is published seven times annually by Marked Business Media Inc. and is written for individuals who purchase/ specify/approve the selection of plumbing, piping, hot water heating, fire protection, warm air heating, air conditioning, ventilation, refrigeration, controls and related systems and products throughout Canada.

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A member of:

• Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating

• Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada

• Ontario Plumbing Inspectors Association

• American Society of Heating Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers

• Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada

• Refrigeration Service Engineers Society of Canada

The 2024 CMPX is anticipating a larger turnout to its three-day tradeshow. In 2022, there was 9,000 people and over 500 exhibitors in attendance.

CMPX returns to Toronto in March

By Francesco Lo Presti

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre will open its doors again to the skilled trades industry as the CMPX show makes its return. Running from March 20 to 22 in the South Building, the tradeshow will offer industry professionals the opportunity to explore the latest products, attend educational sessions, and network.

The previous edition of the show, held in 2022, saw around 9,000 people and over 500 exhibitors.

“CMPX 2024 is our biggest, best and boldest show yet, with more hands-on exhibits, more real-world solutions and more groundbreaking products than ever before,” shared Joanna Woo, CMPX Show committee chair.

When attending the show, guests can access over 500 exhibitor booths showcasing the latest and best products in heating, cooling, refrigeration, ventilation, plumbing, indoor air quality, building automation & control, sustainability, software, tools & instruments, technology and more.

The New Product Showcase and Demo Stage offers attendees an interactive display of the newest equipment, tools and technology heading to market.

Skills test

CMPX 2024 will also present its HVAC/R Skills Competition, where secondary and post-secondary students can compete and showcase their skills. The competition will last all three days, each featuring a different

theme. Day one will feature a heating systems gauntlet, day two features a refrigeration/ air conditioning showdown, and day three features a heating systems and refrigeration/ air conditioning challenge.

All competitions will offer hands-on practical challenges that allow the students to showcase their HVAC/R proficiency, whether with their hands or their ability to understand and follow wiring diagrams and manuals. Students will also be able to conduct mock interviews, giving them professional and realworld feedback.

Competitions will take place in two time slots, 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and then 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Each competition day will end with an award ceremony at the Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada’s (HRAI) booth.

Industry News

Educational sessions

The show will host its Learning Forum, displaying educational programs. The Learning Forum will host over 50 sessions, the largest in the show’s history, according to HRAI. Sessions will cover topics such as the latest trends, the newest applications, and regulation updates.

Participants of the show will have their pick of sessions to attend. There will be 25 sessions available on the first day (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), 27 sessions on the second day (9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.), and 11 on the final day of the show (9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.).

Some sessions that are available during the first day of the show include “Incorporating Hydronic Heat Pumps into Hybrid Designs” by John Goshulak, vice president of sales and marketing at Weil-McLain Canada, David Hughes, technical advisor at the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH), Jerry Leyte, president and general manager of Viessmann Manufacturing, Michael Ridler, general manager of Eden Energy Equipment, and Mike Miller, vice president of sales Canada for Taco Comfort Solutions, “CO2 Control Strategies” by Ryan McAndrews, manager of controls and energy solutions at Copeland, “Adopting the National Model Codes” by Rainier Bratsch-Blundell, plumbing professor at George Brown College, and Kevin Wong, Canadian codes manager at Uponor, “The Rise of Geothermal Heat Pump Systems” by Jeff Hunter, co-founder and president of Evolved Thermal Energy, and Tim Weber, CEO of Diverso Energy, and “Navigating the Challenges in Retrofitting Cold Climate AirSource Inverter Heat Pumps in Residential Applications” by Dany Caron HVAC technical advisor at Gree Canada.

Day two of the show will feature sessions such as the “Refrigerant Transition in Canada” by Emilie Boyer, applied hydronics product director at The Master Group, Michel Gauvin, head of ozone layer protection programs at ECCC, Sandy MacLeod, president and CEO of HRAI, Pushpindar Rana, product director of engineering and services for its HVAC division at Mitsubishi Electric, Martin Rego, director of product management at Rheem

Canada, Phil Simeon, policy director at the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), and Devin J. Thomas, general manager of Refrigerant Services, “A2L Refrigerant Transition and New CSA B25 Mechanical Code” by Rana, “Reducing the Carbon Footprint of the Homes You Work In” by Gord Cooke, president of Building Knowledge Canada, “The ABCs of ECM Circulators: Navigating the Alphabet Soup of Variable Speed Circulators” by Dave Holdorf, product and application instructor at Taco Comfort Solutions, and “Gas Heat Pump Solutions for Cold Weather Climates” by Bo DeAngelo, service manager at Stone Mountain Technologies.

On the final day of the show, guests can attend sessions such as “Hydronic Balancing and the Effects of Low Delta-T” by Rick

CMPX 2024 is our biggest, best and boldest show yet, with more hands-on exhibits, more realworld solutions and more groundbreaking products than ever before.

Decarbonization Training course, run by Doug Cochrane, P.Eng., ASHRAE distinguished lecturer, will “demystify the primary sources of carbon emissions in buildings and explain the critical drivers for decarbonization.” The course will run on the show’s first day from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Room 703. This paid course costs $179 for ASHRAE members and $236 for nonmembers.

The second training course, “The Heat Pump Advantage: Leverage Net Zero Goals to Drive Your Business,” will be run by Gord Cooke. This course will run on the show’s second day from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Room 703 and will cover strategies and opportunities so businesses can adapt to the growing demands of low-carbon options from homeowners. This course will be free to CMPX attendees.

In addition, the show will also feature its Social Hub and Podcast Theatre, where guests can connect, swap stories, and give tips on the industry.

“CMPX offers HVAC/R and plumbing professionals unparalleled access to the people, products and perspectives that are shaping the future of indoor environment systems, water systems and refrigeration processes. If you work in the mechanical and plumbing industry, you can’t afford to miss CMPX 2024,” said Woo.

Shine your shoes

Mohammed, regional application consultant at Belimo, “Future Proofing Hydronic Systems” by Gilles Legault, hydronics manager at CB Supplies, “The State of Net Zero in Canada and its Implications to the Mechanical Industry” by Hughes, “CO2 Compression for Cold Storage” by Dennis Kozina, director of sales at Copeland Canada, and “HVAC/R’s Role in Decarbonizing Canada’s Largest Buildings” by Mark Hutchinson, vice president of green building programs and innovation at the Canada Green Building Council, Kit Milnes, vice president of sustainability and resilience at Kingsett Capital, and Dan Stranges, principal of engineering and design at Continual Energy.

There will also be two training courses during the show. The ASHRAE

As always, the show will host the CIPH Gala supporting Habitat for Humanity the day before the show. The reception will run from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Intercontinental Toronto Centre. Guests will be treated to a three-course dinner and entertainment. This year’s entertainment is David Merry, a Canadian comedic magician. CIPH has been in partnership with Habitat for Humanity since 1994, and during that period, members have raised more than $16 million in cash and products. Since 1972, the CMPX show has been jointly produced by HRAI and CIPH.

We’ve put together a round-up of some of the products that will be on the show floor at this year’s CMPX. Take a sneak peek at some of the products!

The next level of comfort in forced-air heating

NEW NPF Hydro-furnace

The NPF Advantage: The NPF heats water by burning the gas in a sealed combustion heat exchanger, completely isolated from the airstream. The heated water is then pumped through a hydronic heat exchanger that gently transfers the heat into the air. The fully enclosed Ultra-Low NOx premix burner provides extremely quiet operation, high efficiency of 97% AFUE, and allows for an industry-leading variable capacity that can modulate down to 15% for a next-level comfort experience.

Explore the new NPF at Navieninc.com.

NPF Horizontal NPF Upflow

IAQ sensors

Standalone or connected to a BACnet automation system, the HyperStat by 75F, Minneapolis, Minnesota, brings IAQ data forward by bundling eight sensors into a single, connected device. The HyperStat comes packed with four analog inputs, three analog outputs, and six relays that leverage softwaredefined control capabilities for all types of standalone multi-stage and modulating packaged HVAC equipment, from PTAC units to heat pumps and fan coils found in commercial buildings.

Yorkland www.yorkland.net

Ductless systems

Hydro-furnace

Navien, Vaughan, Ont, announces the release of its new high-efficiency NPF Hydro-Furnace, available in up-flow and horizontal configurations. It comes in 60,000 BTU/h and 100,000 BTU/H sizes that meet the requirements of SCAQMD rule 1111 for ultra-low NOx performance. The NPF uses Navien’s stainless steel heat exchanger to heat water in an isolated compartment out of the airstream. Heated water is circulated through a hydronic coil, which transfers the heat into the airstream. It can modulate down to 15 per cent to meet year-round comfort needs.

Navien www.navieninc.ca

Continental, Barrie, Ont, introduces a new line of ductless systems for heat pumps, heating down to -30 C and cooling up to 50 C. Available in one ton, 1.5 ton and two-ton capacities. The multi-zone series offers 28,000 or 36,000 BTU/h capacities, with two, three, or four indoor unit connections. All systems feature Wi-Fi, auto restart, defrost, louver memory, and intelligent humidity control for optimal performance. With an energy-efficient DC compressor, these Energy Star and NRCan-listed units qualify for federal and provincial rebate programs.

Continental www.continentalcomfort.com

Total hydronic solution

Viessmann, Waterloo, Ont, introduces its new total hydronic heat pump solution for heating, cooling, and domestic water.

The Vitocal 100-AW is a residential air-to-water heat pump system featuring an all-in-one kit consisting of an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, and a steel buffer tank (20 gallons). It comes in three different sizes – 1.5, 3.0, and 4.3 tons for cooling and 20.5, 34, and 58 MBH for hearing. The optional domestic indirect tanks come in three sizes. They are designed to pair with the Vitocal 100-AW, and the buffer tank can be physically mounted on top of the domestic tank to save space.

Viessmann www.viessmann.ca

Gas-fired heat pump

Stone Mountain Technologies, Piney Flats, Tennessee, announces the introduction of its Anesi branded heating products for residential and commercial customers into the North American market, starting February 2024. Anesi gas heat pumps are air-to-water heat pumps and use natural gas, propane, or renewable gas as its primary fuel source. The Anesi gas heat pump and all refrigerants, combustion, processes, and venting are all located outside. Only a warm water/food-grade glycol mixture enters the home through standard PEX or copper piping.

Stone Mountain Technologies

www.StoneMountainTechnologies.com

Commercial/industrial piping

Aquatherm, Lindon, Utah, announces its Aquatherm blue, a new standard in commercial and industrial piping systems. Made from proprietary polypropylene resin, Aquatherm blue is ideal for pressure piping heating and cooling systems in commercial and high-rise residential buildings, schools and universities, data centers, hotels, hospitals and government buildings, as well as process cooling systems in industrial and manufacturing plants. Available sizes from 1/2-in to 24-in, Aquatherm blue can handle any size commercial heating and cooling.

Aquatherm www.aquatherm.com

Zone valves

Taco Comfort Solutions, Milton, Ont, announces its Zone Sentry zone valve. It features a bidirectional ball valve design with quick release powerhead, and a visual flw indicator. The Zone Sentry is available with press fittings and multi-voltage powerhead. It provides on-off, normally open or normally closed control in closed hydronic systems. The valves can be used in a variety of heating and condensing cooling applications, primarily designed for use with baseboards, fan coils, radiators, convectors, air handlers, heat pumps, and radiant applications. It features 12 valves on one 40VA transformer and a push button actuator replacement. Taco Comfort Solutions u www.tacocomfort.com

Hybrid system

Mitsubishi Electric, Markham, Ont, announces the launch of its Hybrid Heating and Central Cooling system for residential applications. This new Mitsubishi Electric system connects with any thermostatically controlled furnace and is available in capacities from 18,000 to 42,000 BTU. The Hybrid System allows for homeowners with a furnace to still utilize an electric heat pump and switch over to the furnace during more frigid conditions. The switchover automatically occurs when the temperature outside drops below a specifid point, which is pre-set during installation. The Hybrid System comes in standard heat pump or Hyper Heat, Mitsubishi Electric’s cold climate heat pumps. It features smaller copper tube diameter with a grooved design to provide efficit heat transfer. Flare piping connections are required, with no need for brazing.

Mitsubishi Electric u www.mitsubishielectric.ca

High performance toilets

Proflo, Burlington, Ont, introduces its Calhoun toilets, designed for high performance. It features a three-inch flush valve, 1.28 GPF HET rating, and a 1,000 MaP performance. Quickly install the toilet with only a two-bolt tank to bowl installation. Bowl heights are available in 15-1/2-inches to 17-inches. It is also available with a chrome trip level.

Proflo u www.proflocanada.ca

Condensing tankless tech

AO Smith, Fergus, Ont, announces the release of its new Adapt premium condensing gas tankless water heater. It features its X3 scale prevention technology. Available in 160,000, 180,000, and 199,000 BTU/h inputs, these Energy Star certifid water heaters deliver reliable on-demand hot water. Flexible venting options and integrated recirculation pumps make these models ideal for any residential application.

AO Smith u www.hotwatercanada.ca

Anti-overflow toilet

FGI Industries, East Hanover, New Jersey, launches its new Flush Guard. Leveraging a patented anti-overflow drain system, Flush Guard anti-overflw toilets feature three holes to allow water to escape through a secondary drain. The anti-overflw drain is self-cleaning with every flush. Both primary and secondary drains empty into a standard waste pipe and utilize standard fittings. When used as a replacement, the Flush Guard toilet completely covers the area of the old toilet, any marks or tile discolouration are hidden.

FGI u www.FlushGuardToilets.com

Hydronic air handler

Napoleon, Barrie, Ont, announces the release of its low velocity hydronic air handler unit, which enables the integration of two primary mechanical functions – space heating and domestic hot water – in a residential setting. When connected to a wall-hung tankless water heater or a combi boiler, it eliminates the need for a storage water tank and large gas furnaces, thereby freeing up usable space. It can be incorporated with Napoleon’s cold climate air-source heat pump as a dual-fuel hybrid heating option.

Napoleon u www.napoleon.com

LG’s new standard in HVAC innovation

The LG R32 Air-to-Water Heat Pump and noise reduction.

LG.ca

* LG UNVEILS CUTTING-EDGE WATER SOLUTIONS ENABLED BY ADVANCED HEAT PUMP TECHNOLOGY. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lg-unveils-cutting-edgewater-solutions-enabled-by-advanced-heat-pump-technology-302040331.html

Heat pumps and A2L refrigerants top of mind at 2024 AHR Expo

By Leah Den Hartogh

The annual AHR Expo has come and gone for another calendar year. North America’s largest HVAC/R trade show was packed with new technology and plenty of opportunities to sit in on educational seminars or network with fellow industry experts.

“The industry showed up for business in Chicago,” said Mark Stevens, show manager. “Throughout the year we’ve followed discussions regarding regulation rollouts, decarbonization trends and various other tracks about the way we conduct business as an industry. It was evident in the halls that the professionals in attendance are primed to create solutions and drive business forward”

Some of the main themes from this year ’ s show include decarbonization, energy efficiency, lower global warming potential

(GWP) refrigerants, and heat pumps. There were a lot more new air-to-water heat pumps on the show floor at this year’s show compared to previous years.

At a snapshot

Attendance was up from previous years, with a total of 48,034 attendees at the show looking to interact with the 1,875 exhibitors spread across the North and South halls.

The Podcast Pavilion was a hit of the show, which hosted 20 podcasters covering the latest topics. Each podcast was recorded and will be released by the individual podcaster in the coming weeks.

“The network transformation is resulting in incredible visibility and partnership for professionals,” said Nicole Bush, director of marketing for the show. “There is a true line of two-way communication

between the professionals in the field and the manufacturers creating products and technology. Having an in-person forum like AHR Expo to strengthen the social relationships formed online is proving to be immensely beneficial to our industry.”

The 2024 educational schedule highlighted topics within the industry with the “goal of addressing pain points, opportunities and applications to increase efficiencies, business, and relationships,” reports AHR. At the 2024 show, there was a total of 120 free sessions, 153 new product presentations in the New Product Theatres, and seven panels in the AHR panel series.

In the “2024 State of the Industry” panel, the speakers highlighted decarbonization, including gas bans, grid capacity, heat pumps, and dual-fuel options. In addition, the panel focused on building automation and AI, refrigerant updates, and workforce development.

Other well-attended sessions included topics featuring heat pumps, business strategy, emotional intelligence adeptness, building automation, controls and AI, social media and industry growth, A2Ls, and codes and standards.

In 2025, the AHR Expo will be heading to warm and sunny Orlando, Florida, which will be an appreciated switch up from this year’s chilly and windy Chicago weather. The next show will run Feb. 10 to 12 at the Orange County Convention Center. Hotel blocks are expected to open for attendees in late spring and registration will go live early summer.

“Each year, we come away from the show withvigourforwhattheindustryhasinstore,” shares Stevens. “We are honoured to continue to provide the best all-industry meeting place and forum to learn, discuss, prepare and calibrate goals for the future of HVAC/R. We hope to see everyone in Orlando.”

At the 2024 AHR Expo, the Plumbing & HVAC team made its way around the show, shooting our Walk n ’ Talk video series, highlighting some of the new innovations making its way to the North Americanmarket.In addition, we met with manufacturers to discuss the latest trends and get our hands on some of the newest products. Take a look at some of the highlights.

At the 2024 AHR Expo, a total of 48,034 attendees explored the North and South halls over the three-day trade show.

Condensate pump

Franklin Electric, Fort Wayne, Indiana, expands its line of condensate pumps by introducing the VCMA-20-PRO series. The vertical-type pump measures 6.5 inches by 10.2 inches by 4.8 inches and features a 3/8 inch O.D. barbed with a 1/4-turn quick-release locking discharge adapter plus a built-in check valve. The unit also features three 1-1/8 inch diameter inlet openings, allowing the pump to be used with multiple types of equipment, including air conditioners and furnace systems. Franklin Electric www.franklin-electric.com

Hybrid heating thermostat

Napoleon, Barrie, Ont, debuts its EQHUB smart thermostat, which can be installed with a dual-fuel hybrid heating solution. The system cools and heats at 100 per cent efficiency up to 46 C/115 F and down to -20 C/-5 F in select configurations. Users can also connect humidifiers and dehumidifiers via the EQHub for operation with a furnace or heat pump to regulate the indoor environment.

Napoleon www.napoleon.com

R-32 residential refrigeration

Fujitsu, Pine Brook, New Jersey, announces the development of ducted and ductless residential, light-commercial, and applied products utilizing R-32 refrigerant. These products will be available in North America under the regulatory and compliance timelines. The installation process and necessary tools used for R-32 are very similar to R-410A.

Fujitsu www.fujitsu.com

Smart pump system

Bell and Gossett, Chicago, Illinois, introduces its new line of smart pump systems. The hydrovar X-enabled products feature a common interface and drive platform for easy commissioning and installation. The pump plus smart motor combinations are launched with Bell and Gossett’s e1510 end-suction pump, e-80 vertical in-line pump, and Technoforce e-HV packaged booster system.

Bell and Gossett www.xylem.com

Heat pump and air handler unit

Midea, Markham, Ont, debuts its new Evox inverter heat pump and air handler system to market. The inverter heat pump is available in 1.5 to 5 ton models and features a low ambient heat output of 100 per cent at -4 F with a COP up to two. The air handler features an algorithm that measures static pressure issues such as dirty filters and kinks in ducts. The air handler is compatible with both 24V and 485 communication modes.

Midea www.mideaevox.com

Carbon steel fittings

Nibco, Elkhart, Indiana, expands its line of carbon steel fittings to feature more press options for plumbing, mechanical, fuel, and gas carbon steel pipe applications. The BenchPress and BenchPressG fittings are available in 1/2-to-two-inch sizes and require no threading equipment and lubricants while maintaining joint integrity and professional appearance.

Nibco www.nibco.com

Shell and tube heat exchangers

Taco Comfort Solutions, Milton, Ont, offers customers its U-tube style shell-and-tube, steam-to-liquid or liquid-to-liquid heat exchangers. The heat exchangers are available in four- to 30-inch diameters and have a wide range of materials to fit various applications. The heat exchangers are NSF/ANSI 372 certified and provide typical working pressures/temperatures of 150 PSI and 375 F.

Taco Comfort Solutions www.tacocomfort.com

Plumbing and HVAC/R companies experiencing an increase in acquisitions

By Francesco Lo Presti

The plumbing and HVAC industry is going through changes. If you’ve been paying extra attention, you might have seen that there has been an increasing number of companies that are being acquired.

More prominent manufacturers or wholesalers typically acquire smaller or local companies to add to their product offerings. Just this past year, the industry has seen Carrier acquiring Viessmann, Oatey acquiring Lansas B.V, and GF acquiring Uponor, to name a few.

However, this surplus of change has also been finding its way into those with their hands on the tool. “Private Equity Groups (PEGs) generally manage money for

insurance funds, pension funds, charitable trusts, and sophisticated investment groups. They have money to invest, and plumbing and HVAC companies are the new target,” explains Mark Borkowski of Mercantile Mergers & Acquisitions Corp.

Why the skilled trades?

Traditionally, the private equity market had been restricted to acquiring or investing in larger companies, but “PEGs are now becoming attracted to fragmented business segments with lots of little players, with stable cashflows that are recession-proof and have opportunities for operational improvements. Plumbing and HVAC checks those boxes,” said Victor Hyman, executive director at ClimateCare.

Why are plumbing and HVAC companies

viewed as great investments? Well, for one, the skilled trades sector is filled with information and, “Acquiring plumbing and HVAC companies allows for PEGs to gain access to emerging technologies and energyefficient solutions,” adds Borkowski.

PEGs see the industry as an opportunity to expand and grow. “The industry is comprised of a lot of small and medium-sized businesses that are owned independently. But PEGs see that as an opportunity to consolidate those businesses and create larger, more efficient entities,” adds Borkowski.

While there are financial and technological benefits to acquiring plumbing and HVAC companies, the simple fact is that the sector is seen as stable and resilient. “There is always a need for these services, which is attractive to PEGs. There is a lack of skilled workers, and it’s hard to find new workers in this industry, so acquiring current workplaces with these skilled workers is seen as a win for PEGs,” said Borkowski.

The benefits

So, we’ve examined why the sector is seen as an opportunity. Now let’s flip the question and ask, what is the benefit of companies in our sector being acquired by PEGs? For starters, “PEGs offer flexibility as a liquidity source which gives entrepreneurs the ability to take some cash off the table, recapitalize their company, or simply sell and move on,” explains Borkowski.

The financial backing from PEGs also allows companies in our industry to, “Fund growth initiatives like expanding service

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areas, investing in new technologies, or pursuing acquisitions of complementary businesses,” said Borkowski.

PEG acquisitions can also contribute positively to the growth of a business by, “Creating a stronger sales culture, releasing employees who don’t buy into the new messaging (often at the previous owner’s unexpected expense), and getting out of unprofitable segments,” explains Hyman.

Additionally, Borkowski adds how private equity firms bring in management resources that can help companies become more efficient and leaner. This can be crucial for business owners who are potentially looking at the next step in their life.

However, there are considerations that industry business owners should keep in mind. The first is that these PEG groups are primarily interested in valuation arbitrage. “PEGs want to buy companies at a valuation X and sell them for two to three times that in three to five years,” said Hyman. “They do this by packaging the companies together, improving efficiencies and reducing costs, which usually involves the consolidation of the backroom operations of many small companies, resulting in the loss of local decision-making and autonomy.”

Selling your business

In the last two issues, we've discussed succession planning from a few different angles; one was about the difficulties that can come with it, and the other focused on alternative options. PEGs are another approach to succession planning.“There are quite a few business owners that are older and looking for a way out, and a lot of people don’t know how to get out,” explains Borkowski. “Many people don’t know how to go about selling their business and will enlist the help of real estate agents. This isn’t real estate. These are highly sophisticated deals requiring people with experience in this field.”

If you are a business owner looking to

sell your business, there are a few things to keep in mind. To start, a seller needs to understand where and what their position is. As Hyman explains, “Many small business owners don’t plan for the future because they are too busy working in their business. One day, they get a knock on the door from a PEG waving a big cheque, sign an NDA and start a process without stopping to ask if it is really what they want.”

For an owner who is ready or interested in exploring this possibility further, the process will start with meeting someone to evaluate the company. “In this evaluation, there will be a normalization of income, which is a very

I encourage all residential plumbing and HVAC contractors to take the time to think about what they want for their business beyond the dollars.

extensive company audit. Once the evaluation is completed, the owner is presented with the value of their business, and what a deal could look like, explains Borkowski.

Another thing to keep in mind is the type of deal that is being made. “Most, if not all, of the transactions in plumbing and HVAC companies involve the current owner staying for some time. In most cases, the acquiring company will require the owner to keep a 10 to 20 per cent equity ownership in the business,” adds Borkowski.

The reason for this is so the acquiring company can ensure a positive transition period within the company and, “In these cases, as the company hopefully gets new capital and growth, the owner gets a second bite and an increase in value,” said Borkowski.

Of course, with any transaction, there are potential risks. “One thing is that a lot of plumbing and HVAC owners have been sucked into selling the assets of their companies and paying exorbitant amounts of tax. There are deals on the table where PEGs will offer a premium to the business owner. They’ll buy 100 per cent of the company but offer shares in the company’s potential growth with owners. Quite frankly, these deals end with lots of promises being made and not a lot of them being met,” adds Borkowski.

Business owners need to consider what the acquisition means for the long-term future of the business and what it means for its employees and customers. “Many small business owners live in the communities they service, and their names and reputations are tied to the business Are they comfortable withhowthePEfirm will operate the business after they exit,” said Hyman.

Going through with a sale, or evening just tipping your toe into potentially selling your business, can affect the workflow at your company It can be a bit of a distracting process.Assuch,"Wehaveaverystrictprocess that guides our engagement to ensure all expectations are set and appreciated," explains Travis Allan, CEO at Eclipse Home Services. "This process starts from our first conversation all the way down to what time of role or not the seller may want to partake in posttransaction."

That’s why it is crucial to understand who you are working with and do the research. “Ask about the PEGs track record in similar transactions and how many other sellers received all the funds they were promised. They should ask to speak to other owners who have sold their businesses to the PE firm,” adds Hyman.

There isn’t just one option when selling a business. There are many and selling via, “Private equity is just one option. I encourage all residential plumbing and HVAC contractors to take the time to think about what they want for their business beyond the dollars,” said Hyman.

Updates to CSA B52 present clear direction on working with A2Ls

By Leah Den Hartogh

The Canadian refrigeration sector has finally receivedguidanceonhowtoproperlyinstall equipment using A2L refrigerants. CSA B52 was released in December 2023, following its five-year review cycle. The last update was in 2018, one year prior to the release of ASHRAE Standard 15, the American mechanical refrigeration code. “Canada neededtoplaycatch-uptotheU.S”explains Tim McRae, account technical manager of thermal and specialized solutions for Chemours Canada.

Oneofthebigtakeawaysfromtherelease of B52 is the requirements for installing A2L refrigerants, whether for residential, industrial, or commercial applications. “It’s pretty much in alignment with ASHRAE Standard 15 because up until now, what was in the 2018 version of B52 had similar requirements for A2Ls as those for A3s,” explains McRae. “Certainly, A2Ls are very, very different than A3s – lower flame velocity, less ignition energy. You’d need much higher leakage quantities to get into a flammability regime. They’re much safer than A3s. That was really the big change as we transitioned to the new version, which was to properly represent the A2Ls and provide guidance on that.”

Now that the code has been released, the next step will be for the provinces and territories to formally adopt it. “When CSA adopts a new version of the code, nationally, that’s just the first step. It doesn’t become law until it's referenced in a regulation and that happens at the provincial level,” explains Martin Luymes, vice president of governmentandstakeholderrelationsforthe Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI). “The next step is for every province to adopt it Every province has a different process for doing that. It's very encouraging that every province across the country has committed under the

Canada Free Trade Agreement to the timely adoption of standards and codes, which generally means within a year of the code being finalized.” It is expected that each of the provinces will have formally adopted B52 into code within the next six to 12 months.

“Getting the code published was number one,” shares Luymes. “Number two is getting it adopted and recognized in every province. A third problem is for the B52 code to be referenced in building code, so it will apply to new building construction.” For new construction, the National Building Code references B52 as the standard to follow. But the current dilemma is that the B52 version referenced is the one released in 2018, which doesn’t include installation requirements for A2L refrigerants. “That’s going to present a problem for new construction,” explains Luymes. “That’s the last hurdle we have to overcome. I think we’re going to be able to get B52 as the law of the land in every province by the end of 2024. The next stage will be getting it referenced in building codes.”

Training, training, training

When first looking at working with A2L refrigerants, it can be a bit daunting. “Certainly, there’s going to be somewhat of a learning curve and certainly, training is going to be an important part,” explains McRae. “But from a technician perspective. It’s really about doing what you’ve been trained to do because even with the non-flammable refrigerants, you’re not supposed to vent them. You’re supposed to recover refrigerant before you do any braising or welding. So really, all those practices that they’ve been taught to do, you just can’t skip the steps.”

Training will inevitably be an important step for any technician working with A2Ls. “We realized there’s going to be a need for retraining even existing refrigeration mechanics,” shares Luymes. HRAI went across the country and spoke to its members about training on A2Ls and almost all agreed

that training would be beneficial, but many also suggest that unless the coursework was mandatory, many technicians might not do it – think of Canada’s Ozone Layer Protection Awareness Program (ODP). “I think contractors will need to continue to educate themselves as they’ve always done as we’ve gone through many transitions over the years," said McRae. “There is some education I think on that side and it’s going to be a little bit daunting for some of the techncians at first, but for this industry, once you’ve done it a few times, it will be pretty straight forward, and they’ll get there pretty quickly.”

Equipment

One piece of advice McRae would give to any technician who might be in the market for new service equipment is to make sure that it is A2L approved. “The equipment that the contractors will need to use can already be found on the shelves of Canadian wholesalers,” explains McRae. “If they’re out there today and their recovery machine fails, make sure you buy the right one. The fittings are going to be different. They are 1/4-inch flare, left hand thread, so there’s special fittings on the cylinders.” If the technician works with some type of electronic gauge, it might be a good idea to upgrade the software. Make sure it has an A2L-approved sticker on it.

There are some important dates coming up that technicians need to be familiar with in the refrigeration sector. The big one will be in January 2025, when chillers in new builds will be required to have a GWP below 750. Albeit solely applying to the U.S. refrigeration market, packaged air conditioning units will also no longer be manufactured with a GWP greater than 700 by January 2025.

One of the things that the industry wants to see moving forward with these codes and regulations is some type of predictability. “Certainly, that’s what everybody’s feedback has been to Environment Canada. We don’t want to see the numbers keep going down and changing every six months or every year,” explains Luymes. B52 works on a fiveyear release schedule, with the next release anticipated for 2028.

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n Commercial Systems

Interconnected

plumbing

systems are expected to become the new normal for commercial spaces.

By Leah Den Hartogh

Commercial spaces tend to be high-traffic areas. There can be a merry-go-round influx of people that come into and out of an area of a building. “Each commercial plumbing industry has its own unique set of needs depending on a variety of factors such as the nature of operation and specific regulatory requirements,” explains Anny Ang, director of wholesale marketing at Moen. “For example, healthcare facilities often have stricter sanitary regulations than other industries, meaning they require products that keep hygiene top of mind.”

However,allareasofcommercialplumbing share this higher-than-normal amount of traffic. As such, the plumbing products that are installed within the building need to have a high level of durability to be able to handle the frequent use it must undergo. If not taken

Continued on page “25”

Touchless technology has taken over the

n Commercial Systems

Continued from page “23”

into consideration, this can result in wear and tear occurring quickly. “The best way plumbers can mitigate damage over time is to recommend products that can withstand a high volume of usage,” explains Ang. “These products must be built to withstand the highest-traffic environments like stadiums and schools, where they may be getting as much use in one day as a residential home fixture gets in a year.”

Not only do plumbing products have to maintain a level of durability, but in the commercial sector, they must also be easy to cleanandmaintain.Fromacommercialfixings perspective, this idea of easy maintenance is crucial when looking at the complexity and scale of some of these buildings.

“Maintenance is actually much more important on the commercial side. It’s important to have equipment maintained,” explains Gregory Hunt, product manager commercial at Chicago Faucet. The frequency of the maintenance is typically dependent on how often the products are being used

The best way plumbers can mitigate damage over time is to recommend products that can withstand a high volume of usage.

One of the bigger headaches that plumbers have to deal with on-the-job site can occur during maintenance calls. When a commercial building has faucets or fixtures from different brands, this can make the job significantly longer as brands tend to have different components that may have to be serviced, “This is where a lot of buildings fall short on maintaining a brand. If you have two different brands, you’re going to have two different sets of repair parts. So, maintaining one brand is something I would push.Iwould

even push for a type of faucet that uses the same handles, the same outlets in the same cartridges,” shares Hunt.

If the plumber can play a part in the decision-making process, choosing faucets or fixtures that have some type of self-cleaning or self-lubricating feature can help prevent issues from occurring down the road. “A pivotal strategy contractors can take is to recommend products that require minimal maintenance to customers,” shares Ang. “Commercial plumbing fixtures are standardized, so it’s easier to replace parts and fittings when necessary. Still, it’s important to select the appropriate faucet for the environment as they need to be easily adaptable and easy to use for all people.”

Post-pandemic

Touchless technology remains the main feature that customers are looking for out of their faucets and fixtures. The pandemic has increased the number of people who are conscious of their personal health and hygiene. But the technology has been there since prepandemic times. “Touchless fixtures will

continue to be a popular option as hygieneconsciousness will remain top of mind post-pandemic, as well as a continued desire for style in these spaces,” shares Ang.

Low to no touch has become the norm for commercial applications. This trend has started to make a big push into other areas of the commercial restroom. For instance, touchless soap dispensers, faucets, hand dryers, or even towel dispensers, where you just have to wave your hand over a sensor, and the towel comes out, have become a staple in commercial restrooms.

“They’re even removing doors and putting in divider walls. Airports figured that out a long time ago, rarely do you have to open a door to go to the restroom in an airport. You can go through a couple of little dividers and you’re right there. Everything flushes touchless,” explains Hunt. Touchless technology within the sphere of commercial applications isn’t exactly new. It has been around now for somewhere close to 20 years.

Another lesson taken from the pandemic

Continued on page “27”

Healthcare facilities tend to require products that keep hygiene at the top of mind, this could include antimicrobial handles.

n Commercial Systems

Similar to how the residential market operates, the commercial market features a variety of different finishes for plumbers to choose from.

Continued from page “25”

was the benefits of flushing the system. Albeit more important within the health care industry, there can be benefits to flushing the building any time there is stagnant water. “To mitigate bacteria growth, it’s important to choose products that are conducive to easy cleaning and maintenance and can proactively facilitate processes, such as regular flushing of water lines to remove stagnant water,” explains Ang.

Any type of chemical disinfection utilized within the plumbing system shouldn’t be stagnant either as it is corrosive and can start breaking down with connections or pipes. “As the sophistication and understanding of your water system becomes better, facilities have a better idea for when it needs to run at a certain time,” shares Hunt. “It could be time-based, or it can be run after a certain number of litres have gone through the plumbing system.”

Taking out the guesswork

The future of commercial plumbing is heading in quite a fascinating direction. Like the mechanical room, commercial plumbing faucets and fixtures are looking towards

connectivity. “It’s been around. It’s not a new concept for sure,” explains Hunt. “We’re dipping our toes into it a little bit. A lot of our touch and most of our touchless have Bluetooth in them.”

This idea of integrated connectable faucets as a unified system is something that should be anticipated to be in the market. Adding Bluetooth is kind of the first step. The next step will be finding a way to let all of the faucets within the commercial space communicate to the building management system. “Residential is going to be a lot easier because they’ve what maybe five faucets in a house depending on the size of the house. It’s going to be a little bit easier to communicate between the different types of fixtures,” explains Hunt.

“But when it comes to commercial, it’s like monster applications. Then it’s going to be a lot more complicated, but it will also allow the building experience to be a little better for the occupants because they can keep up on maintenance.” Plumbing is kind of doing a slow roll into connectivity, but it’ll allow for the guesswork to be taken out of any required maintenance or water quality questions. It is something that plumbers can expect to be coming within the next few years. :

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PCM batteries represent a step forward in reducing carbon emissions.

PCM batteries store latent energy and leverages the absorption or release of heat as it transitions between solid and liquid phases.

By Michael Ridler

As someone deeply passionate about HVAC systems, my enthusiasm for the wave of innovative technologies emerging in recent years knows no bounds. I have been travelling across the United States and Canada meeting some incredible people and getting my hands on some truly innovative technologies. However, my recent introduction into phase change thermal batteries marks a standout moment in my career that truly signals a leap forward in the field of HVAC. My journey into phase change material (PCM) batteries began about a year ago while researching dual-source heat pumps.

I had recently installed an air-to-water in my home and specifically, I

was exploring ways to design an efficient ground source heat pump for residential use that would allow me to install a water-to-water with a small loop without compromising performance or relying on the more traditional but highly effective district heating systems. This led me to a fascinating patent overseas, detailing a dual source heat pump that incorporates phase change thermal storage. This discovery propelled me on a journey, connecting me with some brilliant minds.

So, what exactly is a phase change thermal battery? This battery harnesses the power to store latent energy with remarkable efficiency, leveraging the absorption or release of heat as it transitions between solid and liquid phases.

One-of-a-kind

The unique aspect of contemporary PCM batteries lies in their ability to undergo phase changes at non-industrial temperatures. Innovations

Continued on page “31’

Continued from page “29”

in the market now include products capable of phase-changing at temperatures under 138 F. This advancement opens the door for charging thermal batteries in residential settings, allowing the storage of usable heat that can be charged with boilers, waterto-water and air-to-water equipment and renewables.

From my firsthand experiences visiting sites, I’ve observed PCM batteries in residential homes no larger than a small filing cabinet.

Despite their modest 80-litre physical size, these units effectively store the energy equivalent of 300 litres. This translates to the ability to store nearly four tons of capacity within a compact footprint. As cool as this is, the distinctive advantage of PCM batteries is their minimal standby losses, setting them apart from other energy storage methods by preserving energy more efficiently for extended periods.

PCM battery technology exhibits

significantly reduced heat loss due to its compact size and the use of vacuum-insulated panels, a feature not typically found in conventional thermal storage methods.

The distinctive advantage of PCM batteries is their minimal standby losses, setting them apart from other energy storage methods by preserving energy more efficiently for extended periods.

Vacuum-insulated panels offer extremely high thermal resistance in very thin thicknesses (e.g., 0.5 to one inch). Recent measurements made at Queen’s University for NRCan have confirmed that the standby losses measured on a PCM battery were negligible over a few days.

Traditional vs. new batteries

When comparing a PCM battery to a traditional electrical battery, such as those

used with solar photovoltaic systems for power storage, the advantages of PCM batteries are significant for several reasons. PCM batteries are considerably more cost-effective than their electrical counterparts. The ones I have seen are also free of moving parts, eliminating the need for maintenance, and don’t require special permits for installation. A PCM battery can be retrofitted into an existing home in less than an hour (something that is not achievable with traditional electrical battery storage).

The question then arises: how can we

Continued on page “32”

n Building Green

Continued from page “31”

best utilise PCM batteries? One immediate application is harnessing solar PV systems not just for generating electricity, but also for producing usable heat. A small PCM battery can be fully charged in under five hours, storing a significant amount of thermal energy in a compact footprint. This stored energy can then be used in a variety of applications, including radiant floor heating and domestic hot water systems.

I made a visit to a residence last year where the owners had installed a PCM battery, linking it to a small solar PV array. This particular battery was equipped with a 2.8kW electric element that was charged by the PV system. Over two years, this setup provided the household’s domestic hot water, with the local utility company keeping track of its performance. The capacity of the PCM battery in this scenario matches that of an 80-litre hot water tank. The PCM battery I’m currently examining in my live fire lab includes a dual pass heat exchanger, allowing for charging via both solar PV and solar thermal sources.

The aspect of PCM batteries that truly captivates me is their capability for load shifting. During a discussion with a colleague employed at a local utility, I explored the practical applications of a PCM battery. He quickly highlighted its effectiveness in transferring the timing of heating or the generation of domestic hot water to offpeak periods, thereby capitalizing on the

considerably reduced energy costs during those times. The compact yet efficient nature of PCM batteries allows for the accumulation of a significant thermal energy reserve with barely any energy loss when not in use. By charging these units overnight, when energy rates are at their lowest, and deploying the energy during high-demand periods, we unlock a strategy that not only optimises energy consumption but also competes favourably in cost against traditional fuels like natural gas. This innovative approach promises a shift towards more economical and efficient energy use.

Recharging at night

In my live fire lab, instead of utilising solar PV or solar thermal systems, we are using a unique approach by charging our PCM battery using an air-to-water heat pump. This setup is part of a custom control strategy that enables us to explore a hybrid heating application. The air-to-water heat pump, capable of delivering five tons of heating, charges the PCM battery during off-peak hours and when there is no need for heat in the home. On the coldest days, the battery serves as a secondary heating stage, utilizing the energy stored during off-peak periods. A feature of our system

is its automatic recharge mechanism; once the battery’s charge level falls to 40 per cent, it begins to recharge itself either through the air-to-water system or its integrated electric element.

While our goals include minimising energy consumption, smoothing out grid demand, and reducing our carbon footprint, we prioritize maintaining occupant comfort above all else in the design of heating and cooling systems. This principle guides our experimental approach, ensuring that innovation in energy efficiency does not come at the cost-of-living comfort.

From an environmental perspective, the adoption of PCM batteries represents a significant step forward in reducing carbon emissions. By leveraging renewable energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels for heating, these systems underscore a commitment to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy future. :

Michael Ridler is the general manager at Eden Energy Equipment. He started out working for a Ont-based HVAC company and now focuses on providing field support and technical training to contractors, engineers, and builders on heat pumps, boilers, and all things hydronics. He can be reached at edenenergymike@gmail.com

These batteries can transfer the generation of domestic hot water to off-peak periods, thus lowering stress on the grid.

Dr. Stephen Harrison, professor of mechanical and materials engineering at Queen’s University, admires a PCM battery following a presentation on the technology.

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Today’s gas-fired boilers have greatly improved in terms of efficiencies compared to older systems and the return on investment should be expected quickly.

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n Condensing vs non-condensing

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Hydronic industry adapts and adopts heat pumps

Just a few years ago, I remember walking around the Canadian Hydronics Conference in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and looking at all the gas-fired boilers that were on the show floor. At this point, all of the industry experts I knew were already starting to tell the rest of the industry that heat pumps were the future.

I remember thinking to myself, “Well, if that was the case, why were there so many gas boilers still being sold and marketed?” I figured there was three potential outcomes that could occur. The first was that the industry was wrong and heat pumps would fizzle out. We know just how wrong that idea was; just look to our January/February cover page – we are in the “Year of the Heat Pump” after all.

The second potential outcome was that there would be some type of hydronic heat pump monopoly within the market. To me, this could have been almost as bad as if heat pump technology just dropped off the face of the earth. This could have seen extreme delays in adoption as anyone that has taken a business class in their lifetime can understand the principle of supply and demand. With little supply but high demand, the cost would be on the high end for owners. I also expect we’d see an exodus of manufacturers going out of business simply because they wouldn’t adapt.

But encouragingly, the future looks like it will be following my third theory, which is that companies realize that there is a shift

Logic behind ECMs

Increasing the efficiency of the system with circulators

coming to the hydronic sector and now is the time to prepare. Almost all of the companies that I was concerned would potentially close their doors forever because they were too stubborn to change their business plan have realized this shift and are planning for it.

Heat pumps are here to stay and it’s time for the industry to realize this. The best example that I can give would be the recent AHR Expo in Chicago, Illinois. The number of air-towater and water-to-water heat pumps on the show floor was impressive. You should have seen our hydronics writer, Michael Ridler,

walking around the show. He was like a kid in a candy store when looking at all this new technology coming into the North American market. It was interesting to even compare the number of hydronic heat pumps at this past year’s show to previous years. The technology that has been much more popular over in Europe has found its way into our market, and I suspect it’ll be here to stay.

With all that said, there are applications where a heat pump wouldn’t be the ideal system to install. Boilers will remain an integral part of hydronics and will remain an attractive option for back-up heat if the owner wants to go the heat pump route, or as the sole heat source as has been done for decades.

My goodness, it’s an exciting time to be in this industry. I wonder what is going to be next.

Cover:

Hydronic technicians sometimes need to get a bit creative when retrofitting an older home.

Hydronic boilers are popular due to the fact that they can modulate heat output based off of the heating demand within the space.

By Francesco Lo Presti

Information taken from Grant Erickson’s, agency sales manager at AquaTech, presentation on “Condensing Boiler Design Information and Hydronic Application” on Feb. 7. Watch here:

Ensuring the boiler has high quality incoming water will help the system run more efficiently, with a longer lifespan.

Gas-fired hydronic boilers are a revolutionary technology transforming how homes heat their water systems. These boilers, powered

by natural gas, are designed to efficiently heat water for household use and play a crucial role in maintaining comfort and convenience within a home.

Hydronic boilers use water as the heat transfer medium, circulating it through pipes to radiators or underfloor heating systems. Gas-fired hydronic boilers are particularly popular because they can modulate heat output based on demand. These boilers ensure optimal energy usage by only heating water when needed, reducing energy consumption.

Gas-fired hydronic boilers can also provide consistent and reliable hot water throughout a home. They are especially effective in achieving an even and comfortable heat distribution, eliminating hot and cold spots that may occur in traditional heating systems.

Condensing vs non-condensing

Now that we understand how gas-fired hydronic boilers operate and what their role is, let’s discuss the differences between a condensing and a non-condensing boiler.

Condensing boilers are made with materials that can handle condensate, while noncondensing units are made from materials that cannot.

Essentially, all boilers are condensing units, but some are better equipped at handling combustion than others. What typically makes one better equipped than the other is the materials or the types of heat exchangers used.

Condensing products are made with materials that can handle condensate, like stainless steel, aluminum or a dual heat exchanger. Non-condensing products are made with materials that are a little less expensive, such as copper, steel, or cast iron.

Next is understanding what happens with combustion. With stoichiometric combustion, you have a fuel source; for this conversation, it will be natural gas. So, you take the natural gas, which is the methane, and you’re going to combine it with oxygen from the air. Then, you’ll get a source of ignition, a source of heat, which starts that chemical reaction. Ideally, what you will produce is water vapour and CO2. Now, since there is no such thing as true

stoichiometric combustion, there will be other things happening, but the main thing you have is CO2 and H2O. The water will then take the form of gas.

From there, the focus turns to flue gas

Gas-fired hydronic boilers can also provide consistent and reliable hot water throughout a home.

which allows you to get higher efficiency with condensing boilers.

Reaching the dewpoint

Notably, the dewpoint of natural gas will vary depending on the fuel used and the type of combustion you have. For example, a fan-assisted product with natural gas will have a dewpoint of 130 F, which represents your return water temperature. Anytime you operate above that number (most manuals will say 140 F, whether a condensing or non-condensing boiler), you will be in the non-condensing mode, and you will have an efficiency of about 86 to 87 per cent. Anytime you operate below that number, you will be in condensing mode, and that water vapour will condense and turn to liquid. Again, this varies depending on the fuel source. Additionally, the combustion type will depend on the amount of CO2 in the stack.

dewpoints. With condensing boilers, you’re getting below the dewpoint where that water vapour will condense down from a gas into a liquid, which releases energy. That energy gets put back into your thermal balance,

The key focus is on changing state and getting latent heat, as that’s where the extra efficiency comes from. When we look at

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Continued from page “37”

water vapour, roughly one lbs. will give you about 1,000 BTUs. In terms of gallons of condensate, one gallon of condensate can produce approximately 9,000 BTUs. When we look at how this latent heat is applied, for every 100,000 BTUs of input, approximately one gallon of condensate is produced per hour. A 600,000 BTU unit will produce approximately six gallons per hour, and a six million BTU unit will produce approximately 60 gallons per hour.

The stack is another key thing to remember with condensing and non-condensing. If you are operating in that condensing mode in a condensing boiler, you will need a stack that can handle condensate, usually stainless steel, CPVC, or polypropylene. Many noncondensing boilers will not have those types of stacks; they typically have B-vents. That is fine in non-condensing mode, but the stack can rot when condensing.

Heat exchangers

Typically, the three main heat exchangers you see in condensing boilers are recuperative (dual), aluminum, and stainless steel, which feature water and fire tubes.

A dual heat exchanger is essentially a two heat exchanger design. You will have a primary heat exchanger that doesn’t condense and a second one that can condense. In this type of product, the return water will go into that second heat exchanger and be exposed to those flue products, which will have cold temperatures. The flue products will then condense, and that water vapour will go from a gas to a liquid. The latent heat will go into the primary noncondensing heat exchanger.

Cast aluminum heat exchangers also work well in condensing situations. They can handle condensate, and these products typically mimic cast iron. Cast aluminum heat exchangers have various heat transfer

Commissioning

the system with primary and secondary piping loops is highly recommended. The primary loop is typically the boiler loop, while the system loop is referred to as the secondary loop.

pits. The flue gas products are found at the top and are forced downwards. As they get closer to the bottom, a counterflow design will start to condense and pool up at the bottom.

Low-mass boilers have a low water volume in the heat exchanger and generally tend to be water tube appliances. Water will be found in the tube, with flue product surrounding it. These appliances tend to have very specific flow requirements and a narrow range of minimum and maximum flow rates. For that reason, primary and secondary piping is recommended. In this setup, the boiler loop is typically referred to as the primary loop, while the system loop is commonly used as the secondary loop. The key to making this system work is having closely spaced T’s.

Naturally, high-mass boilers are the opposite. They have more water volume and tend to be fire tubes in condensing applications. In this design, the flue products are in the tube and are surrounded by water. This allows for more flexibility with flow rates, as they generally have a much larger flow range. As a result, you tend to have more flexibility with piping schematics.

Water quality

It is important to remember that if there are issues with water quality, there will usually be issues with the boiler. Especially in retrofit applications with things like magnetite, as soon as you start to replace the boiler or rattle the pipes, all that magnetite and other things will come out of the pipe.

The fresher water being taken on with untreated water results in more scale forming. When heating water, scale will precipitate out. When there is a heat source, scale will adhere to it and form a hard substance. This will result in a loss of efficiency and uneven heat transfer.

The first steps in water protection can be done prior to the initial fill and start-up by isolating the heating appliance and flushing the entire system. You can also clean the system with an approved pre-commissioned cleaner and clean all the water filtering devices.

Another step can be monitoring your makeup water. Typically, there should be less than five per cent of your total system volume per year in your makeup water. If there is more than that, you will know there is a leak and scale accumulation in the hydronic system. :

If the circulator is properly applied and programed, one of these babies can help enhance the overall efficiency of the system.

By John Barba, Rick Mayo, and Dave Holdorf

View the full presentation on “ECM Circulator Technology – The Myths and the Realities” here:

If you’re anything like me, the first thing that comes to mind when you think about variable speed circulators is the 1970s rock band Supertramp. No? Maybe you’re not like me. Either way, allow me to explain.

Supertramp’s 1979 hit “The Logical Song” is one of the decade’s best, with one of the greatest lines ever: “Watch what you say, or they’ll be calling you a radical.” Well, in hydronics, there is no radical, cynical, fanatical, or criminal. I guess there’s sometimes the fanatical, but that’s not the point.

The point is that hydronics is logical. It's downright Spockian if you think about it. There’s a beautiful logic to how all your parts and pieces work, both on their own and especially in how they work together within the dynamics of the system.

However, when it comes to variable speed circulators, sometimes “The Logical Song” goes right out the window. All we’re left with is “Goodbye Stranger” and Mr. Spock on his every seven-year  pon farr sabbatical back to Vulcan.

Let’s consider the logic behind variable speed circulators, both Delta-T and Delta-P.

These smart pumps are quite obedient.

The prevailing attitude is that they always give you the right flow, no matter what. You can go ahead and call me a radical, but that’s not logical.

Intuitive pumps

For a variable speed circulator to always give you the right flow, it would have to have some way of knowing what the Btu/h load of each room and the system is at any given point in time. It would also need an idea of what the outdoor temperature is at any given point in time, as well as how much radiation is installed in each room. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t know any of those things.

For some reason, the industry has insisted on calling these things smart pumps. The reality, unfortunately, is they’re not all that smart. What they are, however, is obedient.

For a variable speed circulator to always give the right flow, it would have to have some way of knowing what the Btu/h load of each room and the system is at any given point in time.

circulator will always work at 10 ft. of head on what’s called the control curve. It’s the ultimate flat curve circulator.

Use the same circulator in the same operating mode in a zone pump application and it will still work on its control curve. The difference, however, is it won’t vary its speed because there’s nothing in the single zone that will change resistance against the impeller. Once the circulator finds its happy place on the control curve, that’s where it

The point is hydronics is logical. Downright Spockian if you think about it. There’s a beautiful logic to how all your parts and pieces work, both on their own and especially in how they work together within the dynamics of the system.

For example, if you program a residential Delta-P circulator to operate in the constant pressure mode at 10 ft. of head, well then, by golly, that’s what it’s going to do. As zone valves open or close, the circulator will “feel” either less or more resistance against the impeller. Algorithms kick in and tell the circulator to either speed up or slow down. The result is the

will work because that’s where you told it to work.

Reduce over-pumping

Now, don’t read that as saying you shouldn’t use a variable speed pump as a zone pump. Far from it. The ability to program the circulator will allow you to set the speed to operate as closely to a zone’s flow and

head requirement as possible. That can help reduce over-pumping, which leads to short cycling, which leads to all kinds of bad things.

If you set the circulator to proportional pressure (those funky-looking curves that slope down and to the left), the only thing that changes is the system will work on whichever funky curve you select.

In neither of these instances is the circulator giving you the right flow. If you program them accurately, you might get close.

And one more thing, in both applications, the circulator will run at the same speed in October or April as it does in January. Again, because that’s what you told it to do. Like I said, obedient.

Delta-T circulators will at least give you a fighting chance at the right flow. What a Delta-T circulator does is vary its speed in order to maintain the designed system Delta-T. If you design for a 20-degree Delta-T, well then give it a 20-degree Delta-T. Boilers like it, radiators like it, and systems like it.

As zones close, the system needs to take fewer Btu out of the water through the radiation. That makes the return

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Central-Moov Matched Coil Add-On System

The Central-Moov NEEP and AHRI listed add-on heat pump system consists of a Moovair M20 condenser and matched Moovair A-coil meets the NRCan ccASHP requirements.

Continued from page “41”

water temperature want to increase (and the Delta-T, or temperature difference) decrease. The logic will tell the circulator to slow down to maintain the designedfor temperature difference. The opposite happens when zones open.

Delta-T circulator

Additionally, as the heat load changes with the weather, the circulator will continue to speed up or slow down to maintain the design for Delta-T. That is, until it can’t.

At some point, the circulator will reach its minimum speed and logic dictates that you can’t go any slower than minimum, no matter what anyone says. The circulator won’t be able to maintain the design for Delta-T anymore. The good news, however, is it’ll still be wide enough to minimize bad things like short-cycling and higher-thandesirable return water temperatures to a modulating/condensing boiler.

Just about every variable speed pump manufacturer has a Delta-P circulator with an automatic function. And while it sounds cool, we do need to check in with Mr. Spock and Supertramp, as well as reality, to understand what auto really does.

It’s nice to think that slick little function does all the work for us and takes the thinking out of circulator selection. Unfortunately, that’s utter nonsense.

It’s the professional’s ability to think and to make sense of all this technology that separates him from the handyperson. It takes a pro to understand how all these operating modes work and to select the right one for each job.

That slick little button does do a slick little job. However, for small residential circulators, that job is limited to continuous circulation applications with modulating thermostatic radiator valves and panel radiators. In that case, given time (like, a lot of time), the circulator will adjust its proportional pressure curve up or down if it experiences a significant change in overall flow (due to TRVs being mostly open or mostly closed) for a significant period of time (20 minutes up to an hour).

So, what’s the takeaway? It’s this: It’s important to understand how variable speed circulators work and what they do. There’s no magic involved. These things are logical and obedient.

A poorly programmed variable speed circulator is, at best, an electricity saver.

That’s not a bad thing at all, but a poorly programmed variable speed circulator is still an oversized circulator that limits the overall efficiency of a system.

But if you properly apply and program one of these babies, well, now you have a circulator that can help enhance the overall efficiency of a system.

And that, mon ami, is a very good thing. If you don’t mind me saying, it's pretty darned logical. :

John Barba is the director of training at Taco Comfort Solutions. He has been in the plumbing/ heating industry for most of his career, having grown up in his family’s plumbing and heating business. He has trained over 30,000 contractors on the fine art and subtle science of hydronic heating design and installation.

Rick Mayo is the western product and application instructor at Taco Comfort Solutions. He started his career in the hydronic heating industry as a plumber in 1977. He runs regular training sessions that stretch from Alaska to San Diego and into four provinces in Western Canada.

Dave Holdorf is the residential trainer at Taco Comfort Solutions. He has been in the hydronic industry for 25 years, specifically in the radiant heating side of the business. Starting in the technical support/design role and then taking over as engineering manager, overseeing technical support.

It’s the professional’s ability to think and to make sense of this technology that separates them from the handyperson.

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Heat pump water products

LG, North York, Ont, unveils its new line of water products. First is the R32 air-to-water heat pump monobloc system. This unit operates between 41 F to 80.6 F when cooling, 59 F to 149 F when heating, and 59 F to 176 F in domestic hot water with a third-party booster heater. Next is LG’s inverter heat pump water heater. This unit achieves an efficiency rating of up to UEF 3.93 and provides energy savings of up to 76 per cent in 58- and 80-gallon capacities. Lastly, LG debuts its hightemperature hydro kit system, which uses a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger to produce chilled or heated water. This system can be used in collaboration with single- or three-phase multi-VTM heat pumps or outdoor heat pump recovery units.

LG www.lghvac.com

Category I boiler

Aerco, Blauvelt, New York, introduces its new stainless steel condensing category I boiler. The CFR boiler features up to 87 per cent thermal efficiency and is available in 1,500 MBH and 3,000 MBH models. The boilers also offer a compact footprint and Aerco’s advanced edge controller to simplify setup and optimize system efficiency and operation.

Aerco www.aerco.com

Electric boiler

High mass condensing boiler

Cleaver-Brooks, Atlanta, Georgia, launches its new SwitchFire condensing boiler. Designed for applications requiring dual-fuel capabilities, the boiler utilizes a burner that operates with low excess air levels, increasing boiler efficiency and condensing performance. The dual-fuel SwitchFire is available in capacities from 6,000 to 12,000 MBH and is AHRI-certified at 95.9 per cent combustion efficiency and 98.5 per cent thermal efficiency.

Cleaver-Brooks www.cleaverbrooks.com

Geothermal heating and cooling

U.S. Boiler Company, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, debuts its latest residential boiler to customers. The Ambient electric boiler is single phase and is available in three capacities: 16, 20 and 24 kW, or 54,600, 68,200, and 82,000 BTUh. The boiler also features an integral anti-short cycle timer, two 60 AMP circuit breakers, a flow switch, an ASME 30 PSI pressure relief valve, a pump switching relay and a secondary manual reset hi-limit.

U.S Boiler Company www.usboiler.net

WaterFurnace, Fort Wayne, Indiana, is offering contractors and homeowners more flexibility when choosing geothermal heating and cooling. The GeoReady Split crossover heat pump initially operates as a highly efficient air-source heat pump before transitioning to a geothermal heat pump when the customer is ready – providing an immediate HVAC upgrade with convenient installation flexibility. When operating on a ground loop, the system offers efficiencies twice that of normal air conditioners, heat pumps or furnaces (28 EER and five COP).

WaterFurnace www.waterfurnace.com

Biofuel oil boilers

Weil McLain, Burr Ridge, Illinois, announces its Ultra Oil, WGO, WTGO and SGO residential oil boilers are now certified for use with biofuel blends up to 20 per cent (B20). A B20 compatible boiler is one that operates with a fuel blend consisting of 20 per cent biodiesel and 80 per cent traditional number two fuel heating oil.

Weil McLain www.weil-mclain.com

Know What You’re Buying — Not all PEX F1960 Fittings are the Same

If you’ve been told all PEX F1960 cold expansion fittings are the same because they all conform to the same fitting standard, it’s important to understand there are real differences that can make or break your business.

In truth, not all fittings conforming to the ASTM F1960 standard are the same. Manufacturers and suppliers that claim their fittings are compliant to ASTM F1960 feel that, in their opinion, they meet the standard. However, there is no third-party agency to confirm that compliance.

Certification Difference

Uponor ProPEX fittings are a highly engineered product certified by third-party agencies — NSF and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) — to ensure the raw materials, manufacturing process, and resulting product accurately meet the ASTM F1960 standard.

In fact, the companies that mold ProPEX EP fittings are partners that are integrated into the codes, helping ensure the highest-quality product. ProPEX fittings also undergo internal quality testing that extends beyond the ASTM F1960 standard requirements to provide customers with the strongest value available on the market.

“It’s important that installers are aware they need to ask for the Uponor brandname from distribution and make sure they are getting what they are paying forin ProPEX fittings,” says Bradfield Craig, at Uponor. “The differences are far beyond just the brand name. Uponor testing on generic F1960 fittings has exposed various manufacturing design and quality inconsistencies,and some fittings can’t even pass the ASTM F1960 standard requirements. This is putting projects at considerable risk for failures and potentially voids the associated system warranties.”

Identifying ProPEX

So, how can you tell if you have a real Uponor ProPEX fitting? The easiest way is to look for the Uponor logo. Other indicators include thicker tube stops and thicker sealing barbs. The thin tube stops on the generic, low-quality F1960 fittings are especially problematic as the expanded PEX pipe can extend past the stops and cause leaks.

If you are purchasing fittings that are not in Uponor packaging and are loose in a bin, be sure to take a close look at each part to ensure you’re getting Uponor ProPEX and not a generic product.

To learn more about the quality and 25-year warranty that accompanies the Uponor system as well as the risks of low-quality F1960 fittings, visit uponor.com/askforuponor. See us at CMPX booth 225!

Buffer tanks can help future proof the boiler and ensure that the hydronic system is running optimally.

By Francesco Lo Presti

Information taken from Gilles Legault’s, certified hydronic designer and trainer at CB Supplies, presentation on “Optimizing Energy Performance: Hydronic Heating Systems and the Role of Buffer Tanks” on Feb. 7.

Watch here:

Buffer tanks aren’t new in the hydronics market. They have been around for quite some time and play a crucial role in optimizing the performance of a hydronic system, serving as a key component that enhances overall system performance and efficiency.

These tanks act as temporary storage units for hot water, allowing for balanced and controlled heat distribution throughout the system. Buffer tanks also help reduce wear and tear on system components, extend the lifespan of boilers, and facilitate better integration with renewable energy systems.

Looking at condensing boilers and renewable energy sources, buffer tanks allow return temperatures to be at their lowest possible. This action can serve as a way of future-proofing a system. The lower the return temperature, the higher

your condensing boiler’s efficiency and the higher the coefficient of performance (COP) of your renewable energy source will be.

The buffer tank also plays an important role in hydraulic separation, which refers to the segregation of the boiler and the heating piping loops. By incorporating a buffer tank, the boiler can efficiently separate these loops and maintain proper flow dynamics. The buffer tank will act as a hydraulic separator between both circuits, which allows them to operate independently. By using a buffer tank instead of closely spaced tees for hydraulic separation, the installer can ensure the lowest return temperatures to the heat source.

Necessity

Hydraulic separation is necessary between the boiler and the heating loops because

Continued on page “51”

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Continued from page “49”

there could be a large difference between the loops’ necessary flow rates and a minimum flow rate which is not respected in the boiler loop. If not taken into consideration, it could result in the malfunction of the boiler.

For example, let’s say that a modulating condensing boiler requires eight GPMs in the boiler loop and four GPMs in the heating loop and that the hydraulic separation is done through closely spaced T’s. Well, what can happen is some of the heated water being set to the heating system will come back in that closely spaced T, which would make the boiler reach a higher temperature than desired. However, a buffer tank will ensure minimum return temperatures since the return fluid will be from the bottom of the tank and the minimum possible temperature.

Another key benefit of having buffer tanks in a hydronics system is that the buffer tank can help prevent boiler cycling. This cycling can cause inefficiencies within a system, unnecessary wear and tear on the boiler, and increased energy consumption. However, by incorporating a buffer tank into the hydronics system, a heating demand might be satisfied by the energy stored in the buffer tank instead of necessitating the start-up of the heat source.

Stratification

Going one step further, the benefit of having a buffer tank is stratification, which naturally separates water into distinct levels of different temperatures. Your buffer tank will have stratification, and there will be different water temperature levels.

For example, in a buffer tank where we achieve a Delta-T of 20 F, there will be stratification ranging from 100 F at the bottom of the tank to 120 F at the top. The amount of energy will be the same as having a blended temperature of 110 F. By having the hotter water at the top, it will allow the buffer tank to have a higher level of supply temperature to the heating elements. Having a vertical buffer tank rather than a horizontal one will also increase the amount of stratification.

The temperature of the water can affect its overall weight. For example, water at 60 F will weigh about 62.37 lbs per cubic ft. while water at 212 F will weight about 59.83 lbs per cubic ft.

Additionally, since a heat pump can do both hot and cold water, using a buffer tank can allow for the reversal of stratification, especially during summer. With this configuration, your buffer tank can use water to supply an air handler to cool a home.

Determining energy loads

Now, one of the questions people will have is how much energy can be stored in a buffer tank. The answer is based on the specifics surrounding the water and its density. For example, the graph above shows that water at 60 F will weigh about 62.37 pounds per cubic foot or 8.3378 pounds per US gallon.

Now, if you have a buffer tank with 80 gallons of water, the weight would be approximately 668 lbs. Let’s also add in stratification. So, for example, if you have a buffer tank with stratification of 160 F at the top and 90 F at the bottom, you will have 70 degrees of energy within the tank and therefore 46,760 BTUs. The math behind this is taking that 70 degrees and multiplying it by the weight of the water, which will then give you your BTUs.

We’ve looked at the benefits of buffer tanks and how much energy you can store in them. The next important step is knowing how to size the tank. A standard formula for

calculating the tank size can be seen on page 53.

This formula involves the volume of the buffer tank, the cycle time, the heat source capacity, the smallest load/zone on the tank, and the temperature rise in the tank or Delta-T of stratification.

Now that we understand how to size the tank, let’s focus on how to pipe the tank. Typically, you will see either a four-pipe or two-pipe configuration. A four-pipe configuration consists of feeding the buffer tank on one side and releasing the energy from the other. This configuration allows for good hydraulic separation as all energy must pass through the tank.

In comparison, a two-pipe configuration allows the system to bypass the buffer tank. The reason for doing that? Well, let’s say the system and buffer tank are requesting demand. Well, this configuration can allow it to go directly to the system. This configuration isn’t as flexible and requires that the pipe going into the buffer tank is properly sized allowing for hydraulic separation.

There is also a three pipe-configuration, which allows you to feed your system directly

Continued on page “53”

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Continued from page “51”

from either the buffer tank or your heat source. In this setup, it's important to have the load supply T as close as possible to the tank to allow for hydraulic separation between the two circulators.

Domestic hot water

Adding a buffer tank can also allow for domestic hot water production. A two pipe strategy would be best for this scenario because by adding a buffer tank, you will now have two fluids. Within that buffer tank, there will be a coil that will deliver the exchange of energy to the domestic hot water supply.

In this scenario, you will need to have the water temperature in the buffer tank higher to permit the supply of higher domestic hot water. There will therefore need to be a mixing valve to lower the heating system supply temperature.

A standard formula for calculating buffer tank sizing.

You can also use a combination of instantaneous water heaters and buffer tanks. In combination with the buffer tank, the instantaneous water heat would be preheated

by the energy taken from the buffer tank. This option could potentially be more cost effective than an electric water heater or a natural gas water heater. :

Coming soon in Spring 2024 is our new line of on demand water heaters, the Eco-King HEET! Stay tuned for more information on this product:

Eco-King boilers have built on our past success and made some improvements installers will continue to love with our revised line of Eco-King Supreme boilers new for 2024: SOON TO BE RELEASED

Primary/secondary piping allows for several circulators to co-exist within the same system without interfering with the overall performance.

By Max Rohr

View the full presentation on “High Performance Air, Dirt, and Magnetic Separation in Hydronic Design” here:

Primary and secondary piping is a vital concept to understand to install modern hydronic equipment. There are many ways to achieve the goal of hydraulic separation in a system. Depending on the project, installers could use hydraulic separators, closely spaced tees, or a buffer tank to accomplish the task. How do we explain to a less-technical audience what is happening inside of these components?

The goal of a primary/secondary system is to keep two different symbolic customers happy. The first customer is really picky. This customer is the energy plant, composed of one to many boilers, chillers and/or heat pumps. The mechanical room customer has very specific flow requirements, per the heat

exchanger designs of each component. That is why a lot of boilers and heat pumps ship with a circulator. Manufacturers want to ensure that they are not leaving much to chance with the proper flow rate for the equipment. They typically don’t want flexibility or modulation that isn’t controlled by the equipment itself.

Complex piping

The second customer’s needs are hard to understand. This customer is the entire distribution network of piping in the building with many zones opening and closing, likely paired with a variable speed pump. Without a flow meter or indication on the circulator screen, it would be difficult to know what the achieved flow rate is in a dynamic system, as it

Primary/secondary

become more popular, allowing much more flexibility to mix and match varied types of loads.

piping has

The role of a primary/secondary system is to keep two different symbolic customers happy.

adjusts to the heat loss in a complex building. This customer requires a wide range of flow rates.

How do we keep both of these customers happy at the same time? They aren’t going to agree on a numeric value of units of flow very often. Maybe once or twice a year on a design day scenario, in a multi-zone building

non-technical audiences. In a home, there can be fights within the residents over what the temperature should be set to. In the same way that we don’t want these types of fights to occur, we don’t want the primary/ secondary loops fighting over the ideal flow rate. Primary/secondary piping is like giving them each their own zone and thermostat.

In a home, there can be fights within the residents over what the temperature should be set to. The same way that we don’t these types of fights to occur, we don’t want the primary/secondary loops fighting over the ideal flow rate. Primary/secondary piping is like giving them each their own zone and thermostat.

when every zone is open, will both customers be calling for the same GPM. This is also assuming the energy plant design Delta-T is the same as the distribution side.

We need to separate these customers. Here are a couple analogies that can be helpful for

Imagine you have a bicycle hanging from a frame rack in a shop. If it is suspended in the air, you could spin each wheel freely at any speed you want. Maybe one wheel has completely stopped, and the other is moving fast. While suspended in the air, both wheels

are able to spin independently. If you spin both wheels and then set the bike on the ground, the wheels will have to spin at the same speed. As long as they both have traction, you can’t ride a bike with the back tire rotating 50 per cent faster than the front. It isn’t possible. Primary/secondary is a bike on a rack with wheels free to spin at any speed.

For car enthusiasts, try this one. The energy plant is the flywheel in a car engine. Let’s say the engine can turn the flywheel between 1,000 RPM and 8,000 RPM. Primary/secondary is like the clutch. It allows us to change gears and spin the tires on the distribution side at an RPM that translates to 10 KPH or 80 KPH. The flywheel and the tires are not required to spin the same RPM.

Exception, not rule

Mechanically, primary/secondary is important to keep our flow customers happy. However, sometimes the building occupants don’t want to pay for things they don’t understand. Having multiple ways to explain primary/secondary can be helpful to win the bid, protect the energy plant and keep everything running smoothly. If you have another analogy that works for you, send us an email.

There are instances where a primary/ secondary piping couldn’t be needed at all. An example where the system would only require one line of piping could be snow melt. This is due to the fact that with these types of systems, it has a simple on/off functionality. This remains the same for any type of system that would be designed using only one zone. Although the system would still need to make sure that it can handle any pressure drops. It should be noted that most systems are going to have multiple zones. :

Max Rohr is the director of education and technical marketing at Caleffi. He has over 20 years of work experience in installation, distribution, and manufacturing roles before turning to Caleffi in 2020. Rohr describes himself as an “energy nerd.”

HRVs are beneficial when installed in a tightly sealed home, especially when natural ventilation is limited.

As concerns about energy efficiency and indoor air quality continue to grow, HRVs and ERVs are poised to play an increasingly vital role in building design and construction.

By Glenn Mellors

In recent years, as energy efficiency and indoor air quality have become increasingly important in building design and construction, heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV) systems have gained prominence. These systems play a crucial role in maintaining comfortable indoor environments while minimizing energy consumption. Let us delve into the science behind HRVs and ERVs, exploring their principles of operation, benefits, and applications.

Both HRVs and ERVs are mechanical ventilation systems designed to exchange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air while recovering heat or energy from the outgoing air stream. The primary difference lies in the type of energy they recover.

HRV systems recover heat from the outgoing air during the ventilation process. They transfer heat from the warm indoor air

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to the incoming cold outdoor air in winter, reducing the need for additional heating. Conversely, in summer, they transfer heat from the incoming hot outdoor air to the cooler indoor air, helping to reduce the load on air conditioning systems.

ERV systems, on the other hand, not only recover heat but also moisture and sometimes even contaminants from the outgoing air. This makes them particularly beneficial in humid climates where moisture control is crucial. ERVs use a heat exchanger core that allows the transfer of both heat and moisture between the incoming and outgoing air streams while preventing the transfer of contaminants.

Components and operation

Both HRVs and ERVs consist of several key components, including ventilation fans. These fans are responsible for moving air into and out of the building. Another key component is its heat exchanger core. This component facilitates the transfer of heat (and, in ERVs, moisture) between the incoming and outgoing air streams. Air filters help remove particulates and contaminants from the incoming air,

ensuring better indoor air quality. Modern HRVs and ERVs often come equipped with sophisticated control systems that regulate airflow, humidity levels, and other parameters based on indoor and outdoor conditions.

One of the benefits of utilizing an HRV or ERV in commercial applications is to help meet the ventilation requirements while minimizing energy consumption.

with extreme climates where heating and cooling loads are high.

In humid climates, ERVs play a crucial role in controlling indoor humidity levels.

By transferring moisture from the incoming air to the outgoing air during the ventilation

In cold climates where HRV systems are prevalent, the influx of cold, dry outdoor air during winter months can lead to excessively dry indoor air. Herein lies the significance of incorporating a humidifier into the HRV setup.

Both HRVs and ERVs help maintain a steady supply of fresh outdoor air while removing stale indoor air, pollutants, and excess moisture. This continuous ventilation helps prevent the buildup of indoor air contaminants, improving indoor air quality and promoting a healthier living environment.

By recovering heat (and, in ERVs, moisture) from the outgoing air stream, these systems significantly reduce the energy required to heat or cool incoming air. This can lead to substantial energy savings over time, particularly in regions

process, ERVs help prevent indoor humidity from reaching excessive levels, reducing the risk of mould growth, moisture damage, and discomfort.

In the field

HRVs and ERVs can be installed in various applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. HRVs and ERVs are increasingly being integrated into modern homes to improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency.

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Condair H Whole-Hom

Condair HumiLife

Whole-Home Flexible

umiLife me Flex

Continued from page “57”

They are particularly beneficial in tightly sealed, energy-efficient homes where natural ventilation may be limited.

In commercial buildings, HRVs and ERVs help meet ventilation requirements while minimizing energy consumption. They are commonly used in offices, schools, hospitals, and other institutional buildings. In industrial settings where indoor air quality and energy efficiency are critical, HRVs and ERVs are employed to provide ventilation while recovering heat and energy from exhaust air streams.

One of the confusing questions asked is, “Can we add a humidifier to a home with an HRV/ERV?”

The short answer is yes! To maintain optimal indoor air quality, the integration of a humidifier with an HRV system makes total sense. An HRV system efficiently exchanges stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air, thereby enhancing ventilation while preserving energy. However, in cold climates where HRV systems are prevalent, the influx of cold, dry outdoor air during winter months can lead to excessively dry indoor air. Herein lies the significance of incorporating a humidifier into the HRV setup.

By coupling a humidifier with the HRV, occupants can mitigate the adverse effects of overly dry air. Humidifiers introduce moisture into the indoor environment, thereby counteracting the drying effect of the HRV. This combination ensures that while fresh air is continuously supplied, the indoor air maintains an optimal humidity level for comfort and health.

Moreover, the integration of a humidifier with an HRV system contributes to energy efficiency. By maintaining an appropriate humidity level, occupants can feel more comfortable at lower temperatures, allowing for potential reductions in heating requirements. This synergistic approach not only improves IAQ but also promotes energy conservation.

Furthermore, the integration process is relatively straightforward. Humidifiers can be installed directly into the HRV ductwork or positioned strategically within the living space to disperse moisture evenly. Modern

humidifiers often come with smart features, allowing for seamless integration with existing HVAC systems, including HRVs.

Optimizing IAQ

Leveraging a humidifier alongside an HRV system presents a holistic solution for optimizing indoor air quality. This integrated approach ensures that occupants enjoy the benefits of enhanced ventilation without compromising comfort or energy efficiency. As we continue to prioritize healthy and sustainable living environments, the integration of humidifiers with HRVs emerges as a promising strategy worth considering.

HRVs and ERVs represent significant advancements in building ventilation technology, offering a balance between energy efficiency and indoor air quality. By recovering heat (and, in the case of ERVs, moisture) from the outgoing air stream, these systems help reduce energy consumption while ensuring a continuous supply of fresh outdoor air. As concerns about energy efficiency and indoor air quality continue to grow, HRVs and ERVs are poised to play an increasingly vital role in building design and construction, contributing to healthier, more comfortable indoor environments.

Through understanding the science behind HRVs and ERVs, it becomes clear that these systems offer not only tangible benefits in terms of energy savings and indoor air quality but also contribute to creating sustainable and resilient buildings for the future. As technology continues to evolve, HRVs and ERVs will likely become even more efficient and sophisticated, further enhancing their role in modern building ventilation systems. :

Glenn Mellors was born into a plumbing family and started in the industry in 1973. He entered the HVAC side of the business in the 80s, working in wholesale, and then joined Lennox in 1992. In 2008 he joined the ClimateCare Cooperative Corporation, an Ontario contractor group, where he is director of training and implementation. Glenn can be reached at gmellors@climatecare.com.

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A floating home neighbourhood enlisted the help of local contractors to help set up these homes’ unique plumbing system.

By Francesco Lo Presti

Just picture it — the excitement and relaxation of a vacation. Escaping your daily life by spending time at a resort or even on the water in one of those beautiful villas. What if I said you didn’t have to fly to the Caribbean or Maldives to experience it?

In Chambly, Que, a neighbourhood called Eau Villa offers a floating house experience. Eau Villa has four floating mini houses, each with over 245 sq. ft. of space and a panoramic view of the Richelieu River.

Now, you’re probably thinking one of two things. One, where do I sign up? And two, what the heck does this have to do with plumbing? Well, the answer is that these floating mini homes, while luxurious looking, presented some challenges regarding its plumbing setup.

The Eau Villa project enlisted the help of Mathieu Hamelin, an installation contractor with Bauhaus Habitat. To date, Bauhaus Habitat has worked on six floating homes,

and they are in the process of working on 20 more. They have also done projects regarding tiny homes on trailers and plumbing systems on boats.

Before beginning work on a floating home, Hamelin and the team at Bauhaus Habitat start by “constructing a 3D model of what the homes look like. We then order the structure for the home and assemble the structure,

Continued on page “65”

The floating homes feature a panoramic view of the Richelieu River.

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Continued from page “63”

panels, and roofing. We then will do the plumbing and electricity simultaneously,” explains Hamelin.

As you can imagine, projects of this calibre would challenge any contractor. Regarding the Eau Villa project, “The first challenge we faced was balancing everything correctly since these homes would be on a deck on the water. Secondly, arguably the most challenging, was the programming of the black, grey and fresh water,” explains Hamelin.

“Both of these forms of water are contaminated, but blackwater is far more contaminated than greywater. In this project, the challenge was figuring out how and where we could store the black and grey water,” says Hamelin.

The solution

To solve this problem, Hamelin and his team found their solution utilizing a Saniflo toilet. “We decided on the Sanimarin 4 toilet due to the ease of use and compatibility with black and gray water,” said Hamelin.

holding tank,” explains Matt St. Louis, product manager with Saniflo. St. Louis also adds that the “toilet features a half horsepower board inside the bowl, which connects to a little control box on the wall. The water supply, which is a halfinch hose, is then connected

The first challenge we faced was balancing everything correctly since these homes would be on a deck on the water. Secondly, arguably the most challenging, was the programming of the black, grey and fresh water.

The Sanimarin line of toilets is an automatic marine toilet typically designed for boats and floating homes. The toilets “operate with a macerating and pumping system that grinds waste into small particles and pumps it through a small pipe into a blackwater

to all the other plumbing connections. This toilet is also automatically vented and can work with 20 psi.”

These toilets have the same bowl and motor design as the SaniCompact, but as St. Louis explains, “The difference with the Sanimarin

is both the circuit board and parts are glazed and coated with rust-proof chemicals.”

In this project, the Sanimarin 4 toilet allowed Hamelin to place the blackwater tank on a floating deck outside the house. The floating deck featured two large barrels that the toilets plugged directly into. This system was then piped back to a bigger tank located on the marina.

In Hamelin’s application for the Eau Villa mini homes, the unit receives water from the home’s water supply. Waste is then macerated and pumped out of the unit 12 ft. into a septic tank via a small-diameter PVC discharge line. “Additionally, users can control water consumption with a two-position rocker switch that commands the unit either to add water with the built-in freshwater pump or to macerate and pump out waste,” explains Hamelin.

Since these floating homes’ plumbing systems won’t be connected to electricity,

Continued on page “67”

Eau Villa offers a floating house experience with four floating mini houses, each with over 245 sq. ft. of space.

n Plumbing

The Sanimarin toilets required minimal water usage, and the toilet features an eco (0.63 gallons) and normal flush (0.79 gallons) mode, with both modes adjustable to up to one gallon.

Continued from page “65”

“The Sanimarin was the best choice for this project because of the 12-volt operation. Using this product in the home was a no-brainer because the plan for the home is to utilize solar panels,” said Hamelin. St. Louis also adds, “The benefit of these toilets is that they work on portable batteries, which is ideal in these projects where no electricity is connected. These toilets can easily remotely power a two-piece bathroom.”

Dealing with space constraints

According to Hamelin, the Sanimarin 4 toilet was ideal because they had limited space in the 36-inch by 72-inch bathroom, “The Sanimarin fixture is a sleek, one-piece macerating unit that makes installing plumbing a simple task in tight spots. The fact that it flushes and resembles a traditional toilet was also very appealing,” explains Hamelin.

For the shower, Hamelin chose to use a Sanipump because it also used 12-volt and was size-friendly. “Since these homes are tiny, we needed to figure out where to place the pump. We needed the pump to be in a spot that can work well, and we also needed to be able to push the water out of the house and not have all the pipes be seen,” said Hamelin. “All the plumbing was done in the walls. In this project, it was easier for us to have the wall plumbing go up and down, hence why the

The Sanimarin toilets are automatic, auto vented marine toilet typically designed for boats and floating homes.

Sanimarin toilet was selected. The reason is that the toilet will be placed next to the wall with all the piping. From there, the piping would go up the wall to the ceiling, under the beds and outside.”

When installing toilets in boat or yacht projects, the contractor must take into consideration sea level. “You must ensure you are piping high enough over the sea level. But in these floating homes, all you need to focus on is having the plumbing high enough if there’s a backup, it won’t back up into the water.”

Since installing the toilets, Hamelin adds that there are no issues with the units and that the toilets operate very quietly. However, Hamelin acknowledged that, “Since these are rental homes, it’s sometimes hard to manage what people flush down the toilet. So, there have been times where we’ve had to go, disassemble the toilet, and clear the blockage.” :

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A complicated and lengthy process, the skilled trades need to make it easier for those entering the apprenticeship system.

By Michael Ridler

Complete survey here:

In the heart of Canada’s economic engine, skilled trades emerge as the unsung heroes of our prosperity. Unfortunately, this is rarely the headline in mainstream media. Despite the industry’s efforts to enhance and grow the trades, much work remains. How do I know this? I have been in this industry for three decades, talking to contractors, wholesalers, and manufacturers just about every single day, have a 17-year-old son about to join the trades, and am an active user of Reddit, where heated discussions among small HVAC business owners challenge the state of skilled trades.

The most recent projections by the Canadian government estimate that by 2028, we will see 700,000 skilled tradespeople leave our industry. The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum notes we need to add 75,000 new apprentices every single year to meet the demand for journeypersons in Red Seal

trades, yet many trades will not meet these goals. This shortfall is not from a lack of effort by government and industry stakeholders, but it is connected to the global pandemic. Data from 2020 showed the largest decline in year-over-year apprentices since industry data was first collected in 1991. Only 55,455 new apprentices were registered in 2020 — a 28.5 per cent drop over the previous year. More pressing, only two per cent of female students indicate they plan to join the skilled trades, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

My 17-year-old son is preparing to work in this trade, sparking discussions with industry friends about how the apprenticeship program has evolved and what might be the best path forward for a young person joining the trades. Unfortunately, the statistics above and our own experiences point to significant challenges ahead.

Trade professions, as we know, encompass a diverse spectrum from construction work, to electrical, or plumbing. Yet, I found discussions about workforce development and innovation are still being overlooked. As

Continued on page “71”

Raj Hira from Eden Energy Equipment, left, and Josh Cordes from Cordes Enterprises, right, helped Micah Ridler, centre, complete his high school co-op placement by working at each respective company.

n Workforce Development

Continued from page “69”

I embark on a three-part series dedicated to elevating and discussing the skilled trades in Canada,mygoalisclear:Tonotonlyhighlight the challenges faced by this sector but also to pavethewayforitsimprovementandgrowth. This will include feedback from those not only on the tools but also the college professors, and most uniquely, from young people who aregraduatingorrecentlygraduatedandtheir experience in entering the trades.

The current state

Skilled trades play a pivotal role in our economy,providingessentialservicesthatdrive our country’s infrastructure and development. As artificial intelligence dominates the news with talk of robots replacing workers, the one industry not at threat of a complete disruption is the skilled trades. If and when a robot can plunge your toilet, pipe a hydronic manifold, or troubleshoot your heat pump, that is when we have truly met the plateau of mankind. Despite the critical importance of skilledtrades,theseprofessionsfacesignificant challenges, including workforce shortages, an aging population of tradespeople, and a persistent skills gap. My 17-year-old son has just registered for a two-year HVAC trade program and, despite registering early, is on a waitlist. He completed his high school coop placement working with Cordes Enterprise and Eden Energy Equipment and is stuck in limbo,wonderingwhenhis journeywillbegin.

In my active role within several trade associations, I’ve engaged in numerous conversations underscoring a unanimous belief: the critical period to engage future apprentices is during their high school years. By the time they progress to college or university, it’s often too late for many. Echoing this sentiment, Steve Robinson of Pitt Meadows Plumbing highlights the significant missed opportunity in not integrating trade education into the curriculum of Grades 11 and 12.

This approach not only embeds young people into the local industry as part of their graduation program but also equips them with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills for immediate entry into the workforce or further education, though, as observed in

the European model, the latter choice is less frequent.

Jason Grieb from Waterloo Energy Products emphasizes the importance of initiating trade knowledge and training at the high school level.Headvocatesforgovernmentinvestment to enhance trade-specific areas within high schools across Ontario, suggesting that such an initiative would significantlyboostinterest among the youth. Similarly, Bruce Passmore, a dedicated leader in wholesale distribution, concurs with Grieb and Robinson, noting the stark discrepancy between the abundance of collegeprogramsandthescarcityofentry-level apprenticeshippositions,alongsideinsufficient promotion within secondary education.

Shifting educational practices

During a discussion at the HRAI Heat Pump Symposium, Martin Luymes, vice president of government and stakeholder relations at the Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), and I explored the potential for reimagining high school curriculum.Ourconversation,sharedinavideo interview on Plumbing & HVAC magazine’s YouTube channel, delved into the idea of replacing traditional subjects like calculus with more industry-relevant topics such as reading pump curves, calculating velocities, and sizing heating and cooling loads. Such curriculum adjustments serve a dual purpose: igniting

enthusiasm for HVAC among students and challenging the pervasive myth that university pathways are solely for the academically elite, while trades are a fallback option.

While my son’s journey into the HVAC program might not mirror every young person’s experience, the feedback I’ve gathered suggests he’s far from alone. This discrepancy in exposure to skilled trades education hints at a broader issue of resource allocation and possibly, the need for more vocal advocacy at certain schools. Reflecting on this, I question whether more could be done on my part.

Curtis Boyd of Nottawasaga, among others, shared his challenges with me, echoing a common theme: the scarcity of apprenticeships and educational opportunities, particularly for specialized fields like refrigeration, which often necessitate significant travel. Curtis, who is nearing the completion of his apprenticeship hours, faces the added struggle of balancing educational commitments with family life, a sentiment echoed across my network.

The experiences shared by individuals like Curtis and the insights from industry professionals underscore a critical bottleneck: the lack of accessible, reasonably priced training programs approved by the government. This challenge, pervasive across the sector, demands urgent attention and collaborative efforts to

Continued on page “73”

Micah, right, is following in the footsteps of his grandfather, John Ridler, left, by pursuing a career in HVAC.

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Continued from page “71”

bridge the gap between available jobs and skilled workers ready to fill them.

Challenges & pathways forward

The insights from industry stakeholders, educators, and young tradespeople illuminate a crucial path forward. There’s a consensus on the need to integrate trade knowledge and training at the high school level, improve access to apprenticeship programs, and adjust curriculums to better align with industry needs. These conversations reveal a shared vision for a more inclusive, accessible, and valued skilled trades sector.

“Crisis. Headwinds Severe Crunch. Wherever you look, these days, everyone is talking in dire terms, when it comes to shortages in the skilled trades,” shared Satinder Chera, CEO of the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH). “Like other industries, Canada’s plumbing

a nd heating is feeling the impact of these shortages: 62 per cent of respondents to a CIPH survey had lost contracts, been forced to turn them down, or had paid late delivery penalties due to a lack of skilled workers over the past year, or the 43 per cent that deferred planned investments due to insufficient skilled labour.”

The ageing demographic of skilled tradespeople, coupled with a historical underrepresentation of our population demographics, underscores the urgency of attracting a new generation to these vital professions. It is important, however, that we don’t put labels on people and focus on attracting the right people who can do the job regardless of background or context.

This series of articles aims to start a discussion of skilled trades in Canada. By sharing insights from industry stakeholders, this series doesn’t intend to preach but to inform and involve the community in addressing the challenges facing the skilled

trades sector. From exploring effective strategies for attracting and training the next generation of tradespeople to addressing the need for modernized educational pathways and changing societal perceptions about these careers, the goal is to lay the groundwork for a robust discussion.

As we embark on this dialogue, your feedback and experiences are invaluable. I invite you to engage with us by sharing your insights and perspectives. :

Michael Ridler is the general manager at Eden Energy Equipment. He started out working for a Ont-based HVAC company and now focuses on providing field support and technical training to contractors, engineers, and builders on heat pumps, boilers, and all things hydronics. He can be reached at edenenergymike@gmail.com.

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A make-up air unit equipped with air conditioning and, if we could open the panels, compressor suction hot gas bypass.

In these applications, hot gas is bypassed as the suction pressure approaches a saturation temperature slightly above the freezing point of water preventing the chiller temperature from getting too cold.

same amount of air but it’s only 80 F outside. In this case, the 12 TR of refrigeration would again be about three times the amount of cooling we need. But now we have a problem. As soon as the air conditioner shuts off, we are blowing 80 F air into the space and quite literally heating it up (which we don’t want). In this case, hot gas can be used to modulate the capacity of the refrigeration system, again by imposing a “fake” load on the refrigeration system. Just as in the last example, there are ways of designing the system (e.g., multiple circuits) that minimize this problem, but it is still common to have hot gas even on just the first circuit.

Freeze protection

minutes and the air conditioner will come on with all 12 TR of refrigeration, cooling the room down at a breakneck speed of 68 seconds! The ratio makes sense; since the load is 1/3 the capacity, the air conditioner is running 1/3 of the time. But it is coming on and off 13 times an hour, which can be very hard on equipment. The example might be a bit extreme, and the designer could have definitely chosen a better system, but you get the point. In a situation like this, hot gas can be bypassed to provide a false load on the air conditioning system to prevent it from short cycling.

the air conditioner turns on, cools the space relatively quickly (it’s oversized for the load after all), and then shuts off. Because the load on the space is not high, the air conditioner stays off for an extended period of time, and then turns on.

If the actual load was two TR, our 12 TR air conditioner would run about 10 minutes out of every hour. It may cycle once or twice, but this is not concerning as long as it doesn’t do this for too long. Now imagine that this air conditioner was installed in an application with high heat producing equipment in a small room, as shown in Figure 2. The load when the equipment is operating at full capacity is 12 TR, but the equipment also operates as low as four TR. If the room is not allowed to get more than 5 F warmer than the set point, the room will warm up in about 3.5

The second common application for using hot gas bypass is for capacity control and freeze protection of chillers. In chiller applications, the chiller is often operating near the freezing point of water and there are severe consequences to freezing a chiller as it often results in a complete failure of the heat exchanger and loss of refrigerant. In these applications, hot gas is bypassed as the suction pressure approaches a saturation temperature slightly above the freezing point of water, preventing the chiller temperature from getting too cold. Providing the refrigerant doesn’t get to freezing temperatures, it isn’t possible for the water to freeze (for a caveat here, see the article from last fall on refrigerant glide).

More common than the last example is when we apply cooling systems to cool outside air. Imagine a make-up air unit designed to cool about 4,500 CFM from 100 F to 70 F (and ignore any change of humidity). This unit would require the same 12 TR of cooling. Under design conditions, everything would work well. Now imagine we need the

Piping options

There are two main ways to pipe hot gas bypass systems. Figure 1 shows the hot gas piped in a compressor suction configuration. This configuration has a

Continued on page “76”

Figure 2: A room with heat producing equipment and small air volume.

n Refrigeration

Continued from page “75”

couple of advantages: it is low cost, and it can be completely factory installed. However, it also causes a significant increase in compressor superheat because the hot gas is only mixing with the suction gas. Extended operation with large bypass mass flows in this configuration can also cause oil return problems because of the decreased mass flow through the evaporator.

The alternative is the evaporator inlet piping shown in Figure 3. This configuration is more expensive and requires field installation, but eliminates the concerns associated with the compressor suction method.

In this configuration, the hot gas is introduced after the TXV and mixes with the liquid refrigerant. Because the TXV bulb is physically located after this mixing, the TXV will open more to introduce more liquid to maintain the superheat setting. This means that the hot gas will be adequately cooled, not contribute to high superheats, and that the entire mass flow will be moving down the suction line for oil return.

The type of piping configuration chosen depends on the application. In systems where there is an expectation or significant possibility of extended periods of operation in bypass conditions (e.g., outdoor air

conditioning), the evaporator inlet method is superior and often worth the extra expense.

If the bypass operation is only expected occasionally and for shorter periods of

time (e.g., freeze protection), then the less expensive compressor suction method works great.

There are obviously a lot of things to consider when designing and servicing hot gas bypass systems and it is useful to understand how they work and why they are implemented in some applications and not others. :

Greg Scrivener is the lead refrigeration engineer and a partner at Laporte Consultants, Calgary, and works throughout Canada and the U.S.  He is a professional engineer and journeyperson refrigeration mechanic. He can be reached at GScrivener@laporteconsultants.com.

This hot gas bypass was found on a chiller for low load control and freeze protection. The installation uses a solenoid instead of a pressure regulator, meaning the hot gas comes on and off to protect the chiller from freezing.

Figure 3: An evaporator inlet hot gas bypass.

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Dean-Lane Contractors Inc. (DLC) announces that Michael Gifford has joined its ownership team. Gifford first joined the DLC family in 2018 as its vice president of business development. He will continue to be the VP of business development in addition to his new title of partner.

McElroy announces the arrival of Michael Grant as the company’s new vice president of operations. He earned his degree in mechanical design technology at Oklahoma State University and his MBA from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kanas.

Wolseley Canada announces Brad Rutledge as its new vice president of waterworks, effective Feb. 1. Rutledge joined the Wolseley team in 2018 and led the national quotations team. He previously was the branch area manager in Alberta and director of

Wolseley Industrial.

Chemours announces that Joseph Martinko as its new president of thermal and specialized solutions (TSS), effective immediately. Martinko was appointed interim leader on June 1. He brings to the role over 30 years of expertise in the chemical industry, with more than 20 years of experience across TSS and Chemours’ fluoro products business.

Dr. Stefan Wegener

Joseph Martinko

The Viessmann Group announces that it has extended its team of financial investment and value creation specialists with the addition of Dr. Stefan Wegener to the team. As operating partner, Wegener will co-lead the value creation of Viessmann Group’s portfolio companies with a focus on longterm, sustainable growth. Prior to Viessmann, he held multiple management and advisory board positions in the manufacturing and tech industry. Wegener holds a PhD in chemistry and is a member of the board of directors at the Canadian fresh air solutions provider Oxygen8.

Brad Rutledge

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Michael Gifford

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TML Supply Company announces that it has been named Canadian Tempstar Distributor of the Year, for the fourth time. The award, given by ICP/Carrier , recognized TML’s performance in customer service and sales growth during 2022. TML also earned the award in 2013, 2016, and 2019.

Copeland and Mysa Smart Thermostats announces a new Canadian partnership. Copeland adds Mysa’s thermostat line to its product offering. It also allows Mysa to leverage Copeland’s national HVAC/R and electrical distribution network. Mysa units enable homeowners to track energy use and estimate heating costs. A smartphone app can control a thermostat remotely, adjust temperature when an owner’s phone enters or leaves their house, or send alerts when temperature rise or fall outside a desired range.

InSinkErator Canada hires Fusion Sales as its representatives in Ontario. The announcement was made on Feb. 13. Fusion Sales has been in operation since 1999 and represents brands in the plumbing industry.

Aldes North American announces a new partnership with Emco Corporation. Aldes manufactures ventilation systems for residential, commercial, and light commercial markets. This strategic alliance will mean that Aldes’ complete range of ventilation products will be available across Canada. Aldes products will be available through Emco VAC, Deluxair, Independent Supply Company, Convex Energy and McKeough Supply.

Consumer financing company, Synchrony announces a multiyear extension of its partnership with Rheem. As part of the extended agreement, Rheem will continue to offer Synchrony’s application technology, allowing customers to apply for credit. A new addition to the agreement will mean that there will be prequalification options available, allowing customers to receive an offer of credit within seconds without an impact to their credit score.

Cooper Equipment Rentals announces an exclusive partnership with Brickeye, a construction technology company focused on risk mitigation applications. This collaboration makes Cooper the sole rental provider of LumiNode and LumiSense systems for ambient monitoring applications across Canada. Both products will be available to rent through Cooper branches in every major market across Canada.

It has been 39 years since I started my own business. Reflecting back over those years, I asked myself the question, “Was I a poor businessperson, an average one, a clever one, or a wise one?”

I haven’t answered that question about my own business yet, but I do believe that I am in one of the latter two categories. Even though my specialty has been helping skilled trade contractors increase their scale in terms of money, lifestyle, and exit strategies, I have often found it difficult to take my own advice.

A clever contractor will work his way out of a situation that a wise one wouldn’t get into in the first place.

By

Ron Coleman

To get a clearer answer to the question, I reflect back on the contractors whose lives touched mine and see what traits put them into one of those four categories — poor, average, clever, or wise. I’ve named them all Joe: Poor Joe, Joe Average, Clever Joe, and Joseph Wise.

Poor Joe

To set the stage, Poor Joe has just turned 64 and is contemplating retiring. He has run his own business for 28 years. His back aches a lot these days. His enthusiasm has waned, and bending down to change

a thermocouple is about as exciting as a wet week. He’s become a lot more cynical. He’s also frustrated with the lack of money that he has put away for retirement. It’s not going to be as rosy as he hoped. His relationship with his kids is not the best and his wife complains that he puts all his energy and time into the business, keeping none for her and the kids.

Poor Joe is an HVAC contractor. He services and replaces residential systems, mainly singlefamily homes and some townhouses. He has always had at least one helper and at one point even had two other journeypersons working for him. Now, he is back to himself and one apprentice and bills out around $450,000 a year. He makes about $90,000 in wages and puts lots of expenses through the business. He’s his own boss and the business makes a small profit most years.

Now that Poor Joe is thinking of retirement, he realizes that there isn’t much to sell. His apprentice certainly won’t buy the business. Poor Joe realizes that after all these years, he didn’t really own a business, he had bought himself a job.

Joe Average

Poor Joe phones up Joe Average, a former employee. Joe Average worked for Poor Joe for seven years and even did his apprenticeship with the company. Shortly after getting his ticket, he started getting frustrated with the work environment. Poor Joe always seemed to be on top of him, criticizing the way he was doing things, and claiming not to be making money on his jobs. Joe Average decided he could do better on his own. He knew the mistakes that Poor Joe was making and wanted to learn from them.

So, he leased a truck and started out on his own. He found a good apprentice, trained them well, and developed a good working relationship with him. Joe Average made some decent money, not great, but decent. He had four journeypeople working for him. One stayed for 15 years and the others tended to turn over every five years or so.

Joe Average kept in contact with Poor Joe and knew that he was doing better than him and would be able to retire and have a reasonable lifestyle. He was able to put his kids through college and his wife worked part-time in the business. Joe Average felt like life was pretty good. He was quite surprised when Poor Joe approached him about buying him out. Joe Average liked the idea, but he didn’t feel he had the cash to finance the deal and the extra work, so, very reluctantly he passed on the offer.

Clever Joe

Clever Joe was one of Joe Average’s best apprentices and stayed with Joe Average for seven years. He then launched his own business, feeling that he was not being fairly rewarded for all the effort he put in. When Joe Average passed on the deal with Poor Joe,

Clever Joe snapped it up at a bargain price. He had money put away (after all, he was making an average of 10 per cent pretax profit on sales each year) and also had systems in place to manage the work.

Clever Joe had grown to eight mechanics and was taking about six weeks of vacation a year. At 48 years of age, he felt that he had established a very nice residential service

Are you wise enough to make the right decision and take the necessary actions?

business and that Poor Joe’s addition would be an added bonus.

Clever Joe was great at troubleshooting, he knew that there would be problems in Poor Joe’s company, but he knew that he was clever enough to overcome them. He was about a year into the process when Poor Joe let it drop that Joe Average recommended he talk to Joseph Wise about buying the business instead of Clever Joe. After some deliberation, Joseph Wise turned down the opportunity and encouraged Poor Joe to approach Clever Joe. Clever Joe couldn’t figure out why Joseph Wise had passed on the deal. He felt that he had gotten one up on Joseph Wise. The new addition was working out fairly well. It was more work than Clever Joe thought but he would get through it and get his margins back up.

Joseph Wise

Joseph Wise looked at the opportunity to buy Poor Joe but decided that it would take

more effort than it was worth to make the acquisition.

When Joseph Wise heard that Joe Average had passed on the deal to buy Poor Joe, he knew that the next company coming up for sale would be Joe Average. Clever Joe wouldn’t be able to buy him because he would be too busy digging himself out of the Poor Joe mess. This meant he could approach Joe Average and make a fairly low offer. He did this and was able to purchase Joe Average’s company for only a little bit more than what Clever Joe paid for Joe Average’s company.

By combining the two operations, he got his pretax profit up to 14 per cent of total sales. Joseph Wise adopted one technician who was threatening to quit and start his own business, but instead, he gave him the opportunity of running the new acquisition, with a bonus package for getting good results. This was a real win-win situation.

So, what’s the difference between clever and wise? A clever contractor will work his way out of a situation that a wise one wouldn’t get into in the first place.

I know in my business I do a lot better than Poor Joe and Joe Average, but I am not sure whether I am clever or wise. You are now clever enough to know the difference. Are you wise enough to make the right decision and take the necessary actions? Without action, there is no change. :

Ronald Coleman is a Vancouver-based accountant, management consultant, author and educator specializing in the construction industry. He can be reached by e-mail at ronald@ronaldcoleman.ca.

Return of Atlantic Canada’s largest mechanical trade show

Atlantic Canada’s largest trade show for the mechanical trades is returning to Moncton, N.B, for its 25th edition. The Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic and Technology Show, or rather commonly known as the MEET Show, will run from May 1 to 2 at the Moncton Coliseum Complex. The last show saw 5,772 registered attendees.

Both days of this year’s show will start at 9 a.m, with the first day ending at 5 p.m. and the second day ending at 4 p.m. While attending the show, guests can explore the latest innovations and products, attend educational seminars, and network with fellow industry members.

The MEET Innovation Awards will highlight the innovative products featured in the mechanical and electrical industry. On the mechanical side, products will include plumbing, heating, hydronic heating, air conditioning, ventilation, refrigeration, drain cleaning, tools, pumps, valves, fittings, business, and design software.

Each of the four sponsoring associations

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of the show will present one award to an exhibitor. The sponsoring associations include the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH), Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) – Maritime sections, Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) and Atlantic Canada Mechanical Exhibitors (ACME).

The previous MEET Innovation Awards winners were Venmar AVS/Virtuo Air Technology, Acuva, Intellimeter Canada Inc., and Dals.

As always, there will be free educational opportunities during the show. Donald Colliver, ASHRAE distinguished lecturer, will host two sessions. The first, titled “Building Decarbonization Basics,” will discuss the driving forces for decarbonization, buildings’ contribution to carbon emissions, key descriptive parameters, and more.

Colliver’s second session, “The Science Behind Climate Change and Decarbonization,” will present the basic scientific information gathered from international bodies about

The 2022 MEET Show had 5,772 registered attendees over the course of two days.

the causes and effects of climate change. Information covered in this session will cover the impact of climate change, overall sources of carbon dioxide equivalent, the goals of decarbonization and more.

The full list of educational sessions will be revealed closer to the show. The MEET Show is produced by Master Promotions Ltd. in Moncton.

March 19:

CIPH Habitat for Humanity Gala, Intercontinental Toronto Centre, Toronto, Ont. For more information, please visit www.ciph.com.

March 20 – 22:

CMPX 2024,

Toronto Convention

South Building, Toronto, Ont. For more

April 10:

Plumbing: Technical Training Day, Virtual. For more information, please visit www.accelevents.com/e/PlumbingTechnical-Training-Day.

May 1 – 2:

MEET Show 2024, Moncton Coliseum Complex, Moncton, New Brunswick. For more information, please visit www.meetshow.ca.

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