CIPHEX West - Plumbing & HVAC
CIPHEX West - Plumbing & HVAC
CIPHEX West - Plumbing & HVAC
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
These two-speed four-position oil<br />
furnaces offer a variety of burners.<br />
Choices, choices on page 18<br />
Volume 14 Number 5 September/October 2004<br />
Canadian Mail Sales Product Agreement #40063170. Return postage guaranteed Nytek Publishing 451 Attwell Drive, Toronto, Ontario M9W 5C4<br />
New technologies<br />
and techniques<br />
INSIDE<br />
• Ontario plans apprenticeship grant<br />
• New residential <strong>HVAC</strong> trade<br />
• Manufacturers, wholesalers target students<br />
• Conference offers breather from dismal AC season<br />
• B.C. looks to up residential heating efficiency requirements<br />
Circle Number 100 for More Information<br />
Circle Number 100 for More Information<br />
www.drainbrain.com<br />
Circle Number 101 for More Information<br />
Circle Number 101 for More Information<br />
<strong>CIPHEX</strong><br />
<strong>West</strong><br />
Show Edition<br />
PERFORMANCE<br />
UNDER PRESSURE<br />
Circle Number 102 for More Information<br />
Circle Number 102 for More Information<br />
Simplify your customer’s plumbing with<br />
this stylish pullout faucet.<br />
Practical advice on page 25<br />
These mixing valves offer a precise way<br />
to control DHW temperature.<br />
Full report on page 26<br />
This high-pressure refrigerant purger will<br />
get an air-logged chiller up quickly.<br />
Cool news on page 33
Professional, responsive<br />
customer service<br />
Faster installation<br />
More adaptable connections<br />
Easier maintenance<br />
Most complete package of pipe<br />
connectors and hangers<br />
For the most painless pipe installation and greatest cost<br />
savings, choose the Gruvlok ® system. The advantages of<br />
grooved-end couplings, flanges and<br />
fittings that install quickly means<br />
you can significantly reduce labor<br />
time and cost. Later on, maintenance,<br />
retrofit and expansion can be<br />
accomplished more easily and in<br />
much less time than with conventional<br />
flanged or threaded systems. Plus, working with Mueller<br />
Flow Control means you will have<br />
solid product support when and<br />
where you need it from the manufacturer<br />
with unmatchable experience<br />
in piping systems. Experience the<br />
Gruvlok ® difference and save more<br />
than just the headaches – save time<br />
and expense.<br />
Tel: 877-GRUVLOK<br />
(877-478-8565)<br />
www.gruvlok.ca<br />
Check Out New Website at www.gruvlok.ca<br />
Circle Number 103 for More Information
In This Issue<br />
Features<br />
High efficiency tuneup 12<br />
Make the customer glad they spent<br />
the extra money<br />
Departments<br />
Hot Seat ........................................................5<br />
Industry News.................................................7<br />
Letters .........................................................11<br />
<strong>West</strong>ern Update ............................................36<br />
Coming Events..............................................38<br />
People and Places.........................................39<br />
Literature Showcase ......................................40<br />
Marketplace..................................................41<br />
Products & Technologies<br />
Heating ........................................................12<br />
Hot Water Heating.........................................20<br />
Faucets & Fixtures ........................................25<br />
Pipes, Valves & Fittings .................................26<br />
Ventilation....................................................28<br />
Controls .......................................................29<br />
Refrigeration.................................................32<br />
Tools............................................................34<br />
Effective humidification 17<br />
Keeping an eye on water use<br />
Natural gas for vehicles 30<br />
A look at the benefits and drawbacks<br />
High-tech chiller retrofit 32<br />
John Carr explains how it works<br />
Cover photo: With water treatment equipment<br />
behind him and a new high efficiency<br />
furnace in front, Mark Johnson of Peel<br />
Heating & Air Conditioning (A Lennox<br />
division) doesn’t have much room to work.<br />
Please see our article on page 12.<br />
(Photo by Simon Blake)<br />
Circle Number 104 for More Information<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca September/October 2004 – <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News 3
Circle Number 105 for More Information
Hot Seat<br />
Too much licensing,<br />
too little enforcement<br />
It costs a lot of money to be in the<br />
plumbing and <strong>HVAC</strong>R business<br />
these days. The cost of complying<br />
with all the licensing and training<br />
requirements is considerable. More and<br />
more contractors are beginning to<br />
question the value of this investment<br />
when they see so much work slipping<br />
away to non-licensed renovation contractors,<br />
particularly in the residential<br />
retrofit and service market.<br />
But this has been occurring for years<br />
and everybody knows it. So why isn’t<br />
anything ever done? Why don’t governments<br />
enforce their own rules and protect<br />
those that make the investment to<br />
follow them?<br />
Part of the problem, and it varies<br />
from province to province, is that building<br />
inspectors will inspect the work<br />
regardless of whether the person is<br />
licensed to do the job.<br />
In part, there may be a fear that being<br />
too strict will drive even more of these<br />
jobs underground. There is some truth<br />
in that, but it’s also a cop-out. Home<br />
and building owners would be more<br />
conscious of the need to hire qualified<br />
people if they thought the job might fail<br />
inspection because the licenses of the<br />
individuals that did the work weren’t up<br />
to date.<br />
There’s a safety issue here as well. Not<br />
only is the sheer volume of work being<br />
conducted by the non-licensed trade<br />
increasing, but the scope of that work is<br />
expanding as well.<br />
When renovation contractors were<br />
doing minor plumbing and electrical<br />
jobs, there was little danger of burning<br />
down the house or creating some other<br />
life-threatening disaster.<br />
But that has changed dramatically<br />
with the expansion of big box stores<br />
across Canada. Today anybody can buy<br />
a gas appliance. There is no requirement<br />
to show a gas ticket. More and<br />
more often, unqualified people install<br />
these appliances.<br />
As well, many renovation contractors<br />
don’t hesitate to go into the electrical<br />
panel to install new breakers and run<br />
new electrical lines. This is something<br />
that licensed <strong>HVAC</strong>R tradesmen are still<br />
not permitted to do, despite industry<br />
efforts to the contrary.<br />
It doesn’t take a genius to recognize<br />
the obvious dangers. Everybody that<br />
receives this magazine is well aware of<br />
the problem.<br />
But this problem can only grow as<br />
the licensing requirements for contractors<br />
become more onerous. Most legitimate<br />
players in this industry would<br />
agree that training and certification is a<br />
good thing. Poor installations hurt the<br />
<strong>HVAC</strong> Solutions!<br />
reputation of the industry.<br />
But where obtaining the correct<br />
certification and licenses becomes too<br />
expensive, too difficult and too time<br />
consuming, more and more people are<br />
going to find shortcuts around the system.<br />
There’s a very fine line between<br />
over stringent licensing requirements<br />
and inadequate training.<br />
These costs have to be passed along<br />
to the customer, making the qualified<br />
contractor even less competitive with<br />
his non-licensed counterpart.<br />
We always hate to suggest that governments<br />
should use a bigger stick. But<br />
if they want contractors to invest the<br />
money and man-hours to comply with<br />
all government licensing and certification<br />
requirements, they must support<br />
them by enforcing the rules against<br />
those that don’t bother.<br />
Welcome<br />
Nytek Publishing Inc.<br />
is pleased to introduce<br />
Mark Vreugdenhil as<br />
publisher of <strong>Plumbing</strong><br />
& <strong>HVAC</strong> Product<br />
News. Mark brings a<br />
wealth of experience<br />
on industry publications<br />
ranging from<br />
metal working, electronics<br />
and woodworking to seniors<br />
issues. He joins us from CLB Media<br />
in Aurora, Ont. where he was publisher<br />
of Metalworking Production &<br />
Purchasing Magazine. Please join us<br />
in welcoming Mark to the <strong>Plumbing</strong><br />
& <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News team!<br />
We can provide a cost effective solution for all your heating ventilation and air conditioning needs. From exceptional quality<br />
portable spot coolers, package terminal air conditioners, water source heat pumps to the widest variety of fan coils available.<br />
Mark<br />
Vreugdenhil<br />
Incorporating<br />
<strong>Plumbing</strong> Piping<br />
and Heating magazine<br />
and <strong>HVAC</strong>/Refrigeration<br />
magazine<br />
September/October 2004<br />
Volume 14, Number 5<br />
ISSN 1499-5271<br />
Editor<br />
Simon Blake<br />
(416) 614-5820<br />
sblake@nytek.ca<br />
Editor Emeritus<br />
Ronald H. (Ron) Shuker<br />
(416) 614-5816<br />
rshuker@nytek.ca<br />
Contributors<br />
Roy Collver<br />
John Carr<br />
Ron Coleman<br />
Warren Law<br />
Arthur Irwin<br />
Publisher<br />
Mark Vreugdenhil<br />
(416) 614-5819<br />
mark@plumbingandhvac.ca<br />
Design and Production<br />
Tim Norton<br />
production@nytek.ca<br />
Circulation Manager<br />
Pat Glionna<br />
Corporate Services<br />
Anthony Evangelista<br />
PLUMBING & <strong>HVAC</strong> PRODUCT NEWS Magazine is<br />
published six times annually by Nytek Publishing<br />
Inc. and is written for individuals who purchase/specify/approve<br />
the selection of plumbing, piping, hot<br />
water heating, fire protection, warm air heating, air<br />
conditioning, ventilation, refrigeration, controls and<br />
related systems and products throughout Canada.<br />
Head Office<br />
Nytek Publishing Inc.<br />
451 Attwell Drive, Toronto,<br />
Ontario, Canada M9W 5C4<br />
Tel: (416) 242-8088<br />
Fax (416) 242-8085<br />
POSTMASTER: Send all address changes and circulation<br />
inquiries to: <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News<br />
magazine, 451 Attwell Drive, Toronto, Ontario, Canada<br />
M9W 5C4. Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product<br />
Agreement No. 40063170. Postage paid at Winnipeg,<br />
MB. Annual Subscription: $34.00 plus $2.38<br />
GST, single copy $5.00 plus $0.35 GST in<br />
Canada; United States $40.00 U.S. One year subscription<br />
in U.S.: $40.00 US, One year subscription<br />
foreign: $65.00 U.S.<br />
Copyright 2004. The contents of this magazine<br />
may not be reproduced in any manner without the<br />
prior written permission of the Publisher.<br />
Movincool offers two distinct series of portable<br />
spot coolers with capacities from10,000 to 60,000 Btu's.<br />
Ideal for offices, heat sensitive electronics, schools, labs,<br />
assembly lines, warehouses and more.<br />
Xpediair offers its clients one of the widest<br />
variety of quality built fan coils and combination units<br />
available. If time is crucial and you needed equipment<br />
fast, no one can beat Xpediair.<br />
Ph. 905-820-1400 fax 905-820-1435 Toll Free 888-209-0999<br />
3250 Ridgeway Drive, Unit # 9 Mississauga, Ontario L5L 5Y6<br />
info@williamshvac.com www.williamshvac.com<br />
We acknowledge the financial support of the<br />
Government of Canada through the Publications<br />
Assistance Program toward<br />
our mailing costs.<br />
PAP Registration No. 10796<br />
A member of:<br />
Canadian Institute of <strong>Plumbing</strong> & Heating<br />
Canadian Circulation Audit Board<br />
Mechanical Contractors Assoc. of Canada<br />
Ontario <strong>Plumbing</strong> Inspectors Association<br />
Hydronics Marketing Group<br />
American Society of Heating Refrigerating &<br />
Air Conditioning Engineers<br />
Heating Refrigeration Air Conditioning<br />
Institute of Canada<br />
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society of Canada<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca<br />
Circle Number 106 for More Information
DHW<br />
Priority<br />
Setpoint<br />
Loads<br />
Floor<br />
Warming<br />
Cooling<br />
Outdoor<br />
Reset<br />
Two-Stage<br />
Heating<br />
Mixing<br />
Slab<br />
Temperature<br />
Limiting<br />
Two Control Options to Suit Your Needs:<br />
Stand Alone reset control solutions allow you to use traditional thermostat<br />
and endswitch technology.<br />
Integrated reset control solutions use tekmar developed integrated technology that<br />
improves the operation, efficiency and comfort of the system.<br />
Stand Alone Controls<br />
Universal Reset Control 374<br />
The 374 operates the system pumps,<br />
Mixing device, DHW Priority and<br />
allows for Setpoint Loads. The boiler<br />
is operated using Outdoor Reset.<br />
Traditional endswitches are used to<br />
indicate that the system requires heat.<br />
Thermostat 507<br />
The 507 is ideal for those areas that<br />
require an attractive thermostat with a<br />
large display and single stage of heat.<br />
Thermostat 508<br />
The 508 is for those areas that<br />
require the features of the 507 with<br />
the addition of a slab sensor to<br />
provide either Floor Warming and /or<br />
Slab Temperature Limiting.<br />
Programmable Thermostat 510<br />
The 510 is for those areas that require<br />
the features of the 508 plus the ability<br />
to provide a 7 day setback schedule<br />
with Early Start.<br />
Programmable Thermostat 512<br />
The 512 is for those areas that require<br />
the features of the 510 plus the ability<br />
to provide either Two-Stage Heating or<br />
Heating / Cooling operation.<br />
For more information on the operation<br />
of Stand Alone Controls and Integrated<br />
Controls, read the following article.<br />
Integrated Controls<br />
Universal Reset Control 364<br />
The 364 provides the same features<br />
as the 374 and accepts the feedback<br />
signal from the tekmar Zone Control<br />
that continuously fi ne-tunes the water<br />
temperatures of the system based on<br />
the requirements of the zones.<br />
Zone Control 369<br />
The 369 continuously monitors the<br />
zones in order to coordinate and<br />
synchronize their operation to provide<br />
a consistent load on the system. The<br />
control also allows for one and / or Two-<br />
Stage Heating as well as Cooling and a<br />
7 day setback schedule with Optimum<br />
Start / Stop.<br />
Circle Number 107 for More Information<br />
Room Temperature Unit (RTU) 062<br />
The 062 provides a large, attractive,<br />
easy to use display with a built in air<br />
sensor.<br />
Room Temperature Unit (RTU) 063<br />
The 063 provides the same features<br />
as the 062 with the addition of a slab<br />
sensor that allows for Floor Warming<br />
and / or Slab Temperature Limiting.<br />
tekmar Control Systems Ltd., Canada, tekmar Control Systems, Inc., U.S.A.<br />
Head Offi ce: 5100 Silver Star Road, Vernon, B.C. Canada V1B 3K4 Phone: (250) 545-7749 Fax: (250) 545-0650 Web Site: www.tekmarcontrols.com<br />
Circle the reader service number for tekmar at the back of this magazine to receive free literature.
Industry News<br />
In Brief<br />
Apprenticeship subsidy<br />
The Alberta government has<br />
raised apprenticeship fees to<br />
$650 per eight-week course for<br />
each apprentice. As a result, the<br />
Mechanical Contractors Association<br />
of Alberta has raised its Apprenticeship<br />
Tuition Fee Subsidy<br />
to $150, up from $125. The program<br />
began with a $50 subsidy<br />
in 1999 when tuition fees were<br />
$400, reports Hans Tiedemann,<br />
executive director. For more information,<br />
call (403) 250-7237<br />
or go to www.mca-alta.com.<br />
Vancouver goes green<br />
The City of Vancouver has adopted<br />
the Canada Green Building<br />
Council’s LEED Gold standard for<br />
all new city buildings. That<br />
makes it the first municipality in<br />
North America to adopt the energy<br />
and environmental performance<br />
rating system. B.C. also has<br />
more LEED accredited professionals<br />
than any other province.<br />
Only two buildings have qualified<br />
to this standard in Canada, both<br />
in B.C.<br />
No HFCs please<br />
Refrigerant Management Canada<br />
has a problem. Some want to<br />
ship HFC refrigerants to its<br />
disposal program. But it doesn’t<br />
accept them. RMC accepts only<br />
CFC’s, HCFC’s and HCFC blends.<br />
For more information, visit RMC’s<br />
website at www.hrai.ca/rmc.<br />
Controls contractors meet<br />
Sandcastle Energy Systems<br />
Alliance, the national controls<br />
contractor group, will mark its<br />
fifth year at its annual conference<br />
Oct. 21-22 in Calgary.<br />
Launched in 1999 with a handful<br />
of members, the innovative<br />
Alliance made the cover of<br />
<strong>HVAC</strong>/Refrigeration in March<br />
2000. Sandcastle now has 45<br />
alliance members and 400+<br />
technicians across Canada,<br />
reports Laurence Markham,<br />
president.<br />
Ontario proposes $5,000<br />
apprenticeship tax credit<br />
By Ron Shuker<br />
The Ontario legislature is expected<br />
to approve a program this fall that<br />
will see contractors eligible for a tax<br />
credit of up to $5,000 per year for every<br />
apprentice they train.<br />
This program is part of a four-year<br />
strategy announced Aug. 5 by the<br />
Ministry of Training, Colleges & Universities<br />
to ‘expand the number of people<br />
registered in apprenticeship to<br />
26,000 by 2007-2008.’<br />
The Apprenticeship Training Tax<br />
Credit, which extends the existing Cooperative<br />
Education Tax Credit, would<br />
see employers with a total payroll of less<br />
than $400,000 eligible to claim 30 per<br />
cent of wages paid to eligible apprentices<br />
over the first 36 months. Employers<br />
with payrolls exceeding $400,000<br />
can claim 25 per cent.<br />
Eligibility for the tax credit will be<br />
retroactive to May 19 and continue<br />
through Dec. 31, 2007, the Ministry of<br />
Finance announced.<br />
Ministry program co-ordinator Peter<br />
Wilson told P&<strong>HVAC</strong> that the administrative<br />
details and final regulations will<br />
be made public when the bill is tabled in<br />
the legislature.<br />
Apprentices in 38 construction<br />
trades will qualify. Trades include<br />
plumbing, refrigeration and air conditioning,<br />
sheet metal, steamfitter, sprinkler<br />
& fire protection, ironworker, millwright,<br />
electricians, and pool/hot<br />
tub/spa service and installation technicians.<br />
All qualifying trades are listed in<br />
Tax Bulletin 04-2 on the finance website<br />
www.gov.on. ca/fin.<br />
However, the gas technician and oil<br />
burner trades are not recognized by the<br />
Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges<br />
& Universities and are therefore not eligible.<br />
Although recognized in the<br />
industry, they come under the jurisdiction<br />
of the Technical Standards & Safety<br />
Authority (TSSA).<br />
CIPH co-op<br />
job program<br />
High school programs<br />
The Ontario government will also provide<br />
1,500 scholarships of $1,000 each<br />
available to high school students who<br />
quit school, return to complete their<br />
schooling and then enter an apprenticeship.<br />
Employers are eligible for a $2,000<br />
bonus for hiring such students, the<br />
Ministry of Training announced.<br />
The third element in this strategy is<br />
the Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship<br />
Program with a budget of up to six<br />
million in 2004-05. The programs are<br />
designed to enable young people to<br />
train as apprentices in a specific trade<br />
while attending college in a related<br />
program.<br />
“The co-op diploma course allows<br />
for three alternating in-school education<br />
sessions with on-the-job training<br />
periods,” Wilson explained. “Some of<br />
the up-front education will include<br />
maths and sciences not generally included<br />
in traditional apprenticeship<br />
skills programs. The college diploma<br />
courses will be adapted and integrated<br />
with the skills training. That could<br />
extend an apprenticeship by a year,<br />
depending on the trade,” he said.<br />
Limited opportunities?<br />
“There are only so many job openings for<br />
apprentices, particularly with air conditioning<br />
and refrigeration so seasonal, for<br />
example,” comments Shane McCarthy,<br />
UA Local 787, Brampton, Ont. “We now<br />
graduate 60 journeymen a year at the<br />
JTAC-ORAC facility which opened in<br />
1990, with 200-300 apprentices in training.<br />
“The fact is, lots of people want into<br />
our trade. But the industry is not creating<br />
many more spots. And we do not<br />
carry a labour pool of available workers<br />
as some unions do. Contractors keep<br />
their core technicians year round and<br />
prefer that they work overtime rather<br />
than add another fulltime apprentice<br />
they may not need,” McCarthy reported.<br />
First announced in the Ontario Budget<br />
last spring, the program pledges $11.7<br />
million annually by 2006-2007. The<br />
government has said it will consult<br />
stakeholders to review the effectiveness<br />
of the program by 2007.<br />
Whether the program will include<br />
regulations stipulating that those hired<br />
must number more than those employed<br />
over the previous year, for example,<br />
will not be known until the amended<br />
regulations under Regulation 1076<br />
become public. With the proposed residential<br />
<strong>HVAC</strong> trade expected to become<br />
compulsory in 2005, many new apprentices<br />
will be enrolled in that program.<br />
<br />
<br />
The Canadian Institute of <strong>Plumbing</strong> &<br />
Heating (CIPH) will launch a new initiative<br />
to bring young people into the<br />
industry.<br />
PTAC units recalled<br />
The ‘Creating our Future’ co-op student<br />
Friedrich has voluntarily recalled<br />
program will kick off in the fall,<br />
26,400 packaged terminal air reported CIPH chairman Mike Dennis<br />
conditioning units because of a (Moen Inc.). The program will link<br />
fire hazard. The (U.S.) Consumer post-secondary schools with local<br />
Product Safety Commission<br />
CIPH member companies by offering<br />
reported that the rotary dial<br />
co-op or intern positions.<br />
switch on the units can be positioned<br />
“Students gain valuable work experi-<br />
between the ‘high’ and ence and employers can evaluate talent<br />
‘low’ fan speed settings, possibly and determine future opportunities<br />
causing the units to overheat and within their company,” Dennis said.<br />
catch fire. The company has<br />
The plan is expected to be in place by<br />
received 60 reports of units overheating,<br />
November.<br />
<br />
including nine accounts CIPH represents Canada’s manufac-<br />
of fires that resulted in property turers, wholesalers and manufacturer’s<br />
<br />
damage.<br />
agents. For more information, call<br />
(416) 695-0447.<br />
Circle Number 108 for More Information<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca September/October 2004 – <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News 7
Industry News<br />
Dennis chairs CIPH,<br />
Bondar captivates<br />
Canadian astronaut Roberta Bondar<br />
and Kelowna fire chief Jerry<br />
Zimmerman clearly captivated the<br />
250 members and guests attending the<br />
Canadian Institute of <strong>Plumbing</strong> &<br />
Heating 72nd annual business conference<br />
in Kelowna, B.C. last June.<br />
Bondar’s keynote speech outlined her<br />
life and how it led her to the astronaut<br />
program. But it was her vivid pictures<br />
from space and her explanation of the<br />
shuttle and space station’s Environmental<br />
Life Support Systems that won<br />
the day.<br />
The group was<br />
given a rare look<br />
into the air circulation<br />
and filtration,<br />
waste removal (into<br />
Roberta Bondar<br />
space), complete recycling<br />
of all water<br />
and moisture, cooling<br />
and heat transfer (also into space),<br />
dehumidification, mould prevention,<br />
use of stainless steel and titanium piping<br />
and other aspects of these systems,<br />
so taken for granted on Earth.<br />
Bondar cited the draining of the Arial<br />
Sea in Russia as the “greatest environmental<br />
disaster on Earth”. The fourth<br />
largest body of water no longer exists<br />
after diverting the water for irrigation.<br />
She showed how the Arctic ice shelf has<br />
shrunk to one-tenth its size from global<br />
warming with lakes on the ice shelf of<br />
Ellesmere Island.<br />
Earlier, Zimmerman re-told the daily<br />
battles with the raging fires that destroyed<br />
more than 200 homes in the<br />
southeastern part of Kelowna. The<br />
‘Firestorm Video of the Okanagan<br />
Mountain Fire’ showed the fires and the<br />
people – firefighters and citizens. It<br />
helped CIPH delegates re-live the city’s<br />
worst nightmare as they listened to so<br />
many amazing stories and learned how<br />
Kelowna residents took so many positive<br />
experiences from the harrowing event.<br />
Zimmerman said complete, open<br />
and honest communication with everyone<br />
was a first priority and it brought<br />
the city together. “Surround yourself<br />
with the best people, delegate and let<br />
them do their job was certainly a core<br />
management decision,” he said. He also<br />
pointed to “leading by example and not<br />
giving up” as other essential attitudes to<br />
winning the battles.<br />
Changing of the guard<br />
Mike Dennis, president, Moen Inc.,<br />
Oakville, Ont., was elected chair of<br />
CIPH. He succeeds Ross Robinson,<br />
president, B.A. Robinson Co., Winnipeg,<br />
Man. Members elected Rick<br />
Elliot, president, McKeough Supply,<br />
Brantford, Ont., as first vice chairman.<br />
Wade Peterson, president-managing<br />
director, Uponor Canada, Regina, Sask.<br />
moves to the second vice chairman’s<br />
spot.<br />
Robert Whitty, president/CEO, Bartle<br />
& Gibson Co., Edmonton, Alta. and<br />
Dan Robertson, general manager,<br />
Rheem Canada Ltd., Hamilton, Ont.,<br />
are new directors. CIPH now has 258<br />
members, up 11 over the year, with<br />
several more awaiting approval.<br />
Ont. to license residential <strong>HVAC</strong> techs<br />
The long proposed residential air conditioning<br />
mechanic trade in Ontario is<br />
expected to be ready for implementation<br />
“in the new year”, reports Carol<br />
Olinski, program coordinator, Ministry<br />
of Training, Colleges and Universities.<br />
“It will be a compulsory trade under<br />
the existing Regulation 1076. There will<br />
be no grandfathering without (passing<br />
the) examination,” she told P&<strong>HVAC</strong>.<br />
“The residential sector has requested<br />
that all must pass a provincial exam to<br />
be certified,” she added.<br />
Apprentices must complete 4,500<br />
hours, including two 240-hour inschool<br />
sessions.<br />
Experienced technicians that want to<br />
challenge the exam must swear out an<br />
affidavit that they have 4,500 hours in<br />
Passing of the gavel: New CIPH chairman<br />
Mike Dennis, president, Moen<br />
Inc., Oakville, Ont., left, is congratulated<br />
by his predecessor, Ross Robinson,<br />
B.A. Robinson Co. Ltd., Winnipeg.<br />
the trade and must achieve 70 per cent<br />
or greater on the exam.<br />
“The on-the-job training standards, the<br />
in-school curriculum and amended regulation<br />
have all been completed and approved<br />
by the industry,” reported Olinski.<br />
The <strong>HVAC</strong> provincial advisory committee<br />
(PAC) is to meet again in September<br />
to continue developing the final<br />
exam and any other details, reported<br />
Martin Lymes of the Heating Refrigeration<br />
& Air conditioning Contractors<br />
Association (HRAC).<br />
“The individuals must still hold the<br />
appropriate TSSA (Technical Standards<br />
and Safety Authority of Ontario) licences,”<br />
she added. Under the previous<br />
Regulation 1076, individuals must hold<br />
(continued on page 11)<br />
Kamco.<br />
More than just products.<br />
Whether it’s been safety or environmental concerns, or just making<br />
your next installation easier and more efficient, Kamco has always<br />
listened to your needs. And those needs are what have driven each<br />
innovative product design and the focus of our customer service.<br />
We’re committed to you. We’re customer driven.<br />
Customer Driven Quality<br />
• Use only the highest quality copper available<br />
• All tubing is quality inspected<br />
• Extensive copper industry experience<br />
Customer Driven Service<br />
• Respect the Wholesale distribution channel<br />
• Dedicated Contractor & Wholesaler support<br />
• Centralized manufacturing & distribution<br />
Customer Driven Innovation<br />
• All products inspired by customer feedback<br />
and suggestions<br />
• Innovative accessories available to<br />
simplify installations<br />
Polyethylene Coated Copper<br />
For Natural Gas & LP/Gas Lines<br />
experience the kamco difference<br />
TOLL FREE 1.800.891.0800<br />
www.kamcoproducts.com<br />
Circle Number 109 for More Information<br />
8 <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News – September/October 2004 www.plumbingandhvac.ca
<strong>HVAC</strong>R industry mood<br />
buoyed by B.C. sunshine<br />
HRAI holds annual meeting in Kelowna<br />
By Simon Blake<br />
If there was one question better not<br />
asked at a recent industry convention,<br />
it was: How’s business? ‘Lousy’<br />
was the common answer from contractors,<br />
manufacturers and wholesalers<br />
alike. They escaped an absolutely dismal<br />
air conditioning sales and service season<br />
in much of the country to enjoy a<br />
few days of warmth (32°C ) in Kelowna,<br />
B.C. for the 36th Annual Meeting of the<br />
Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning<br />
Institute of Canada (HRAI).<br />
Despite the business climate, the<br />
mood was upbeat among delegates at<br />
The Grand Okanagan Lakefront Resort<br />
and Conference Centre Aug. 19-21.<br />
No delegate could miss the fact that<br />
HRAI is a busy organization working<br />
on numerous issues for the members of<br />
its three divisions: the Manufacturers<br />
Division, the Heating, Refrigeration and<br />
Air Conditioning Contractors of Canada<br />
(HRAC) and the Canadian Heating,<br />
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning<br />
Wholesalers (CHRAW).<br />
The HRAI Annual Report notes that:<br />
‘All levels of government are shifting<br />
responsibility, along with regulation and<br />
enforcement costs, directly to industry.’<br />
This is happening at the same time<br />
that public concern about the environment,<br />
industry standards, accountability,<br />
etc. are at an all-time high.<br />
Industry advocacy continues to be<br />
one of the most important functions of<br />
HRAI, notes the report. ‘Solutions have<br />
been found through vigilant advocacy,<br />
industry-led initiatives, public communication<br />
strategies and ongoing training<br />
and education.’<br />
No test port changes<br />
At last year’s HRAI annual meeting in<br />
Halifax HRAC members asked the association<br />
to investigate safety issues concerning<br />
R-410A refrigerant, which operates<br />
at considerably higher pressures<br />
than R-22 and other earlier generation<br />
refrigerants. Suggestions included making<br />
test ports on R410A a unique size,<br />
making cylinders a standard colour and<br />
improving the labeling of equipment.<br />
This once again proved a contentious<br />
issue, both at the refrigeration product<br />
section meeting and the annual meeting.<br />
HRAI president Warren Heeley reported<br />
that the amount of R410A equipment<br />
already in use makes changing<br />
test port sizes almost impossible. (According<br />
to a Honeywell website devoted<br />
to the new refrigerant (www.410A.com),<br />
over a million R-410A air conditioners<br />
have been installed worldwide.)<br />
The official – although not compulsory<br />
– colour for R410A cylinders is ‘rose’<br />
or, in plain English, pink. A number of<br />
contractors at the annual meeting noted<br />
that the stick-on labels on R-410A<br />
equipment either fall off or become<br />
obscured after a few years. The refrigeration<br />
section is developing a R410A Safety<br />
and Awareness Plan that will include<br />
an informational web site on R-410A.<br />
As of June, RMC has processed 200<br />
metric tonnes of refrigerant waste and<br />
sent 50 tonnes for disposal at sites in<br />
Alberta and Texas. By the fall, it expects<br />
to dispose of another 120 tonnes.<br />
COMPACT WALL-HUNG BOILER PROVIDES<br />
HEATING AND DOMESTIC HOT WATER<br />
Fired by gas or propane, the light-weight Baxi Luna<br />
features full modulation, electronic temperature control,<br />
direct vent, whisper-quiet operation and easy installation.<br />
In addition to providing on-demand hot water, it is<br />
approved for closet installation, and can heat an entire<br />
home up to 3,000 square feet in size, saving homeowners<br />
up to 53% on their energy bills.<br />
Visit www.wallhungboilers.com today.<br />
Exclusive North American distributor of Baxi products.<br />
Energuide a hit<br />
At the Manufacturers Section meeting,<br />
delegates heard that NRCan has issued<br />
about 3,500 grants under the Energuide<br />
for Houses program, typically about<br />
$650 per homeowner.<br />
On the contractors’ side, outgoing<br />
HRAC chairman Stewart Creaser, Halifax<br />
Heating & Air Conditioning, Co.,<br />
pointed to progress over the past year in<br />
expanding HRAC activities across the<br />
country. “We’re still not at the point<br />
where HRAC has the same influence<br />
outside Ontario, but we’re getting<br />
there.” Achieving a uniform level of<br />
service Canada-wide is a major objective,<br />
he added.<br />
The group has been active in lobbying<br />
government and dealing with industry<br />
issues in virtually every province.<br />
It now has regional offices in B.C.<br />
and Atlantic Canada and will add an<br />
office in Manitoba in 2005.<br />
HRAC will present a submission on<br />
behalf of contractors to Transport Canada,<br />
which is once again revising the<br />
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act.<br />
Education continues to be a key priority.<br />
In Ontario the group has achieved<br />
recognition of its Residential Air Systems<br />
Mechanic trade, which it expects to roll<br />
out this fall. The group also launched a<br />
web site to help members find prospective<br />
employees at www.<strong>HVAC</strong>Rjobs.com.<br />
A number of issues were raised at the<br />
HRAC democratic assembly. Last year<br />
members requested that HRAC work<br />
with governments to allow refrigeration<br />
and <strong>HVAC</strong> technicians access to the electrical<br />
panel. Martin Luymes, HRAC services<br />
and relations, reported little progress<br />
to date. However, the group continues to<br />
push for this change, starting in Ontario<br />
“where we know what the lay of the land<br />
is.” Currently, a technician must call an<br />
electrician when he needs to connect<br />
equipment inside the panel.<br />
There was discussion over the sheer<br />
amount of licensing that today’s contractors<br />
face. “Maintaining compliance<br />
is costly and time consuming,” noted<br />
Wayne Langford, Design Air Climate-<br />
Care, Thornhill, Ont. Luymes suggested<br />
the best solution is to deal with specific<br />
licensing issues as they arise.<br />
At the annual meeting breakfast HRAI<br />
chairman John Murphy, J.E. Murphy<br />
ClimateCare, LaSalle, Ont. announced<br />
that negotiations to bring the CMX and<br />
<strong>CIPHEX</strong> Ontario mechanical shows<br />
under one roof were going well. HRAI<br />
and the Canadian Institute of <strong>Plumbing</strong><br />
& Heating previously announced plans<br />
to co-locate the shows for 2006.<br />
At the national assembly (HRAI annual<br />
meeting ), Heeley announced the<br />
launch of an HRAI E-Business Centre<br />
web site at www.hrai.ca/e-business. Articles,<br />
success stories and an interactive<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Industry News<br />
Nancy McKeraghan will take over the<br />
reins at the contractors division<br />
(HRAC) from Stewart Creaser.<br />
panel are designed to help members incorporate<br />
e-business into their operations.<br />
Murphy will serve a second term as<br />
HRAI chairman. (Rick Renouf, formerly<br />
of Sinclair Supply Ltd., Edmonton,<br />
Alta., was slated to become chairman<br />
but has left the industry.) Nancy Mc-<br />
Keraghan, Canco ClimateCare Heating<br />
& AC, Newmarket, Ont., was elected<br />
HRAC chairman. Mark Boncardo, Ineos<br />
Fluor Canada Inc., moves into the same<br />
role for the Manufacturer’s Division.<br />
Pierre Martin, Pro Kontrol, Laval, Que.<br />
was named chairman of CHRAW.<br />
The next HRAI annual meeting will<br />
take place at Deerhurst Resort in<br />
Huntsville, Ont. Aug. 25-27, 2005. Call<br />
HRAI at (905) 602-1197 or go to<br />
www.hrai.ca for more information.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Circle Number 110 for More Info<br />
Circle Number 111 for More Information<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca September/October 2004 – <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News 9
Circle Number 112 for More Information
Letters<br />
One-man shop isn’t so bad<br />
Dear editor:<br />
I must say that I enjoy reading the<br />
mag. I did this time get a good laugh at<br />
your column about ‘The one-man<br />
show’ (July/Aug./2004).<br />
Obviously you have worked behind a<br />
desk as an employee all your life. Or<br />
maybe you tried to start your own thing<br />
and realized that YOU couldn’t make it<br />
work. I don’t know where you got your<br />
information from, but I would say that<br />
you’re way off track.<br />
Yes running your own business is no<br />
walk in the park. But I will say after nine<br />
years of being a one-man show in the<br />
plumbing industry, I have managed to<br />
make way more money than I would<br />
have as an employee and I have way more<br />
time off than you would ever imagine.<br />
Mind you, if I don’t get out of bed<br />
and go out and find it, I make no<br />
money. It’s that simple. I have managed<br />
to work on a word-of-mouth process,<br />
which is the best and cheapest way of<br />
advertising.<br />
Being self-employed certainly is a bit<br />
of a juggling act. It takes a special person<br />
to be able to run a business and<br />
complete the job properly. Most people<br />
are good at one or the other.<br />
Licensing key<br />
Dear editor:<br />
I am writing in response to the letter<br />
in the July/August issue ‘Ontario <strong>HVAC</strong><br />
trades over-licensed’.<br />
I think this is a poor statement, as a<br />
license will mean the holder of the<br />
license is trained to a point in the area<br />
that the license covers, and you cannot<br />
be over trained.<br />
I feel that instead of complaining<br />
about more licenses, maybe we should<br />
be looking at the lack of enforcement of<br />
our existing licenses and going after the<br />
governing bodies that are supposed to<br />
enforce the license. There are far too<br />
many people and companies out there<br />
performing work that they are not qualified<br />
to do. This is not fair to those that<br />
hold the license and pay the business<br />
taxes.<br />
The big problem in the <strong>HVAC</strong> trade<br />
is that everybody will complain at the<br />
wholesalers but will not take the time to<br />
write letters, call their MPP or turn in<br />
those non-compliant contractors to the<br />
governing bodies.<br />
Until they start doing that, everything<br />
will remain the same and the<br />
licenses we carry will be just another<br />
form of tax.<br />
Andrew C. Tarr, instructor<br />
Brampton, Ont.<br />
Letters Policy<br />
<strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News<br />
welcomes letters to the editor. Letters<br />
should include the writer’s name,<br />
name of business, town/city and telephone<br />
number (for verification only).<br />
The editor reserves the right to edit<br />
for grammar, spelling, length, etc.<br />
Yes there is stress. You just have to<br />
learn to deal with these problems. The<br />
money/bills problem is always there. As<br />
far as the tax thing goes, almost everything<br />
is a write-off.<br />
My motto is that I don’t turn any<br />
work down (within my means). If I<br />
don’t do it, someone else will. If the job<br />
is big I will hire subs.<br />
To make a long story short, I couldn’t<br />
work for anyone else now knowing how<br />
much money can be made. And I would<br />
lose all the fringe benefits too, like going<br />
to all my kids’ school activities along<br />
with days off whenever I want.<br />
And yes, there are a lot of us out here.<br />
But hey, thanks for scaring all those<br />
potential new contractors and making<br />
them think it is suicide to start their<br />
own business. That’s a great way to keep<br />
me busier.<br />
Thanks,<br />
Mike<br />
(Editor’s note: We don’t usually run<br />
anonymous letters and we tried in vain to<br />
track down the writer of this e-mail.<br />
However, Mike offers another perspective<br />
on Ron Coleman’s article in the last issue<br />
and we felt our readers – particularly<br />
those struggling to operate one-man<br />
shops – would enjoy hearing it.)<br />
(Continued from page 8)<br />
Ont. to license ...<br />
both the 313A C of Q and the appropriate<br />
TSSA licence to be certified to work<br />
on fuel-fired heating and air conditioning<br />
equipment.<br />
“This will be the culmination of<br />
many years and a lot of work by a lot of<br />
HRAC members in Ontario,” Luymes<br />
said. The new apprenticeship will<br />
enable technicians to be fully qualified<br />
in the residential sector in less time than<br />
the traditional five-year commercial/industrial-based<br />
refrigeration & air conditioning<br />
technician apprenticeship<br />
program, which many existing residential<br />
technicians have completed.<br />
Our small but mighty boiler<br />
just got smaller.<br />
Big things DO come in small packages.<br />
www.nythermal.com or<br />
NTI’s popular Trinity wall-mounted condensing gas boiler<br />
offers reliable and efficient performance, but now in a 35%<br />
smaller package that’s guaranteed to fit into the tightest<br />
space your job demands! This compact but powerful boiler<br />
is also more service-friendly as our customers requested:<br />
components are more accessible so your maintenance call<br />
will go as smoothly as possible.<br />
All this and the Trinity still offers the same advanced features:<br />
whisper-quiet 40 db operation, 92% seasonal efficiency, plastic<br />
venting up to 105 feet, outdoor reset, 100% stainless boiler<br />
construction and up to 5.5 GPM of domestic hot water.<br />
1-800-688-2575<br />
NY THERMAL INC.<br />
Circle Number 113 for More Information<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca September/October 2004 – <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News 11
Fall Heating<br />
High efficiency<br />
Overcoming the issues to provide better<br />
forced air heating for your customer<br />
By Simon Blake<br />
High efficiency furnaces were slow<br />
to gain acceptance among many<br />
<strong>HVAC</strong> contractors, but today that<br />
is quickly changing.<br />
“Now that the baseline furnace has to<br />
be at 80 per cent (AFUE), there isn’t<br />
nearly as much resistance,” remarked<br />
John Crozier, technical service representative<br />
for ECR International, Olsen<br />
Div., Wallaceburg, Ont.<br />
“If a customer is going to be in a<br />
home for five to 10 years or more, then<br />
we like to show them the 92 to 94 per<br />
cent energy-efficient equipment<br />
because they are going to get the most<br />
bang for their buck,” reports John<br />
Murphy, president, J.E. Murphy<br />
ClimateCare, Windsor, Ont. “Cost of<br />
operation becomes a bigger factor than<br />
up-front costs,” adds Crozier.<br />
Steve Tomalin, general manager of<br />
Peel Heating & Air Conditioning Ltd.<br />
(A Division of Lennox Inc.), Brampton,<br />
Ont., notes that today’s customers tend<br />
to ask more questions about efficiency<br />
and energy savings. In retrofit applications,<br />
they are looking for substantial<br />
improvement over existing equipment.<br />
“All we really sell is high efficiency furnaces,”<br />
he adds.<br />
Government subsidies like the<br />
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)<br />
Energuide for Houses program minimize<br />
the price difference between mid<br />
and high efficiency equipment.<br />
Reliable operation at peak efficiency<br />
depends on correct installation. If there<br />
is a difference between the installation<br />
of a mid versus high efficiency furnace,<br />
it is that attention to detail becomes<br />
more critical.<br />
Location, location, location<br />
Ideally, any forced air furnace should be<br />
located as close to the center of the<br />
home as possible with equal-length<br />
ducts. However, the efficient fans in<br />
modern equipment mean that this is<br />
not as critical as it once was. And moving<br />
the furnace in a retrofit is seldom an<br />
Individually, our brands have been<br />
well known in the <strong>HVAC</strong> community<br />
for many years.Together, they<br />
comprise the ECR International<br />
family of quality products, providing<br />
you with a seamless, integrated<br />
source for all your heating and<br />
cooling project requirements. ECR<br />
makes specifying easier while giving<br />
you more cross-selling flexibility.<br />
With extensive training programs,<br />
marketing & technical support, plus<br />
on-going research and development,<br />
ECR International offers all the<br />
advantages of a solid partnership.<br />
Tel: 888-259-7253<br />
Fax: 519-627-4719<br />
www.ecrltd.com<br />
Gas & Oil-Fired Furnaces / Residential Split Air-Conditioning Systems / Gas & Oil-Fired Hot<br />
Water Boilers / Hydronic Controls / Baseboard Radiation / Indirect-Fired Water Heaters<br />
Ductless Mini-Split Air-Conditioning Systems / Hydronic Air Handlers / Heat Pump Water Heaters<br />
A job well done: Ivan Letourneau, left, and Andrew Rousseau, of J.E. Murphy<br />
Climate Care in LaSalle, Ont., have just completed the installation of a RUUD<br />
two-stage high efficiency furnace, Honeywell humidifier, Space Gard filtration<br />
system along with all new ductwork that is split to allow zoning of the ground<br />
and upper floors. The 60-year-old home was previously heated with a boiler –<br />
as old as the home – and cast iron radiators. (Murray Nosanchuk photo)<br />
option. A furnace with a DC-drive variable<br />
speed blower can help overcome a<br />
poor location by forcing more air to<br />
places it doesn’t want to go, noted Ian<br />
McTeer, field service representative for<br />
Trane Canada, Toronto. This may, however,<br />
create a noise issue.<br />
One advantage of a high efficiency<br />
furnace is that if the homeowner does<br />
want to move it, it isn’t tied to an existing<br />
chimney location.<br />
Sizing it right<br />
The attitude about furnaces used to be<br />
‘bigger is better’. There were a couple of<br />
reasons – first, it’s better to give the customer<br />
more heat than they need to<br />
ensure they are not shivering on the<br />
coldest days and, secondly, many furnaces<br />
were oversized to provide adequate<br />
blower capacity for air conditioning.<br />
High efficiency furnaces will typically<br />
be smaller – a 90,000 Btuh high efficiency<br />
model might replace a 25-yearold<br />
135,000 Btuh unit, for example. It is<br />
worthwhile to do a quick heat loss calculation<br />
and to ‘right-size’ the furnace<br />
accordingly, notes Crozier.<br />
Venting and drainage<br />
Much of the headache in a high efficiency<br />
retrofit revolves around venting<br />
and drainage. “The sales person has to<br />
scope that out first to make sure it can<br />
be vented,” remarked Tomalin.<br />
Difficulties often involve finished basements<br />
where running new vents and a<br />
drain can be difficult.<br />
Traditionally furnaces have drawn<br />
combustion air from inside and exhausted<br />
to the outside. Builder grade<br />
high efficiency furnaces are often<br />
installed this way. However, combustion<br />
air can be in short supply in a tight<br />
modern home or an older home with<br />
upgraded windows and insulation. As<br />
well, volatile organic compounds<br />
(VOCs) from perfumes, adhesives,<br />
soap, bleach and other household<br />
chemicals can damage the furnace,<br />
remarked McTeer. “The gas combustion<br />
process acts as a catalyst and changes<br />
some of those chemicals into corrosive<br />
agents …”<br />
Most experts recommend a two-pipe<br />
system with separate three-inch PVC or<br />
ABS piping for intake and exhaust.<br />
“That takes the furnace completely out<br />
of the competition for indoor air,” said<br />
Crozier. And that’s a must to achieve<br />
optimum performance.<br />
Typically, intake and exhaust are<br />
required by code to be one foot or more<br />
above grade. They cannot be located<br />
where they could be clogged by snow<br />
(which will trigger a pressure switch<br />
and shut down the furnace).<br />
As well, the unit should not exhaust<br />
anywhere that the mildly corrosive flue<br />
gases might cause damage to a car, air<br />
conditioning condenser, gas meter/regulator,<br />
etc. – or onto a walkway. (Heat is<br />
not an issue as the flue gas temperature<br />
is typically about 100 to 115°F).<br />
Manufacturers have come up with<br />
various solutions to venting issues.<br />
Trane, for example, offers a variable<br />
speed draft inducer that allows the contractor<br />
to run the exhaust out one end<br />
of the home and the intake out the<br />
other.<br />
Where the gas furnace and water<br />
heater both vent into one chimney, the<br />
chimney may be oversized for the water<br />
heater alone. The easiest solution is to<br />
Circle Number 114 for More Information<br />
12 <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News – September/October 2004 www.plumbingandhvac.ca
Fall Heating<br />
put a liner in the chimney to reduce its<br />
diameter, notes Murphy.<br />
Drainage<br />
High efficiency furnaces require access<br />
to a drain to remove condensation from<br />
the trap. “One of the most common<br />
issues I deal with is a lack of appreciation<br />
of how easy it is to get vapor lock in<br />
the drain line,” said Crozier.<br />
This typically occurs where the technician<br />
has already trapped the line but<br />
flexible hose runs above the trap at<br />
some point. Crozier recommends<br />
installing a T on the outlet of the trap<br />
with a three-inch vertical stub of tubing<br />
open to the air, thus allowing the drain<br />
to breathe, with the flexible drain tubing<br />
tied into the lower branch.<br />
A condensate pump may be required<br />
where the drain is not close by. There<br />
must be an air break in the line where<br />
the hose goes into the small sump on<br />
the condensate pump. Without it, the<br />
hose will become a siphon, continuously<br />
draining the trap and causing the furnace<br />
to short-cycle.<br />
Ductwork<br />
Today’s modern furnaces – both mid and<br />
high efficiency – achieve the performance<br />
they do by putting up to 40 per cent<br />
more air across the heat exchanger. They<br />
run at a considerably lower temperature<br />
rise than their older counterparts – 35-<br />
70°F versus 70 to 100°F.<br />
“A lot of old duct systems were never<br />
capable of handling that much air,”<br />
notes McTeer.<br />
However, because older furnaces<br />
were oversized and because many<br />
homes have undergone window and<br />
insulation upgrades, the old ductwork<br />
is often adequate for a right-sized high<br />
efficiency furnace.<br />
The technician has to be careful here<br />
because early systems were not usually<br />
designed with air conditioning in mind.<br />
A heat loss/gain calculation and a survey<br />
of the existing ductwork will tell the tale.<br />
Controls<br />
Controls vary from a simple thermostat<br />
to a complex programmable unit. (If<br />
the customer can’t program a VCR, a<br />
programmable thermostat is not generally<br />
a good idea.)<br />
In two-stage furnaces, different manufacturers<br />
offer different strategies for<br />
controlling the second stage, some of<br />
which are quite complex and beyond<br />
the scope of this article. (Watch for<br />
more on this in a future issue.)<br />
Paul Squissato, left, and Mark Johnson of Peel Heating & Air Conditioning Ltd.<br />
(A div. of Lennox Inc.), Brampton, Ont., rehabilitate existing ductwork prior to<br />
installing a new plenum for a high efficiency furnace.<br />
Maximize performance<br />
Once the installation is complete, a<br />
high-efficiency furnace requires finetuning<br />
to ensure optimum performance.“Commissioning<br />
a system correctly<br />
is incredibly important and needs to<br />
be done on every job … you’ve got to<br />
make sure that unit is operating according<br />
to the specs,” notes McTeer.<br />
In fact, he recommends going a step<br />
further. Once the installation crew has<br />
the system running, another technician<br />
should come back at least 24 hours later.<br />
“Not only do you set it up in accordance<br />
with the manufacturers’ instructions …<br />
but you actually document every system<br />
and subsystem …<br />
“A competent technician would measure<br />
everything that is measurable – gas<br />
pressure, incoming voltage, temperature<br />
rise, amperage draw, control circuit voltage<br />
and amperage, etc.” That information<br />
is recorded for future reference.<br />
This after-sales service should be<br />
priced and sold either as part of the job<br />
– to justify a higher price over another<br />
contractor – or should be included as<br />
part of a service contract.<br />
Selling high efficiency in a time of high<br />
energy costs and environmental concerns<br />
isn’t that difficult. It’s important not to<br />
make assumptions about what the customer<br />
wants, needs or can afford, notes<br />
Murphy.“I believe in giving the customer<br />
what they want … to discuss some<br />
options with them, find out what plans<br />
they have for the home and what kind of<br />
a budget they’ve got. That is the best way<br />
for a person to make an informed decision<br />
about their furnace …”<br />
Get More Flexibility In Our Gas Furnace Line.<br />
Multiposition<br />
Now KeepRite ® offers installers a full<br />
line of easy-fit multiposition choices—<br />
including the new 80% AFUE line in two<br />
heights: 40 inch and the compact<br />
35 inch. No more complications from<br />
too much or too little clearance!<br />
Our gas furnaces are built around<br />
the efficient RPJ ® III heat exchanger<br />
with its unique, proven weld-free<br />
design. Every KeepRite unit offers<br />
a host of work-friendly features to<br />
streamline service and<br />
installation. Standardized<br />
parts for key components<br />
of all models simplify inventory.<br />
Easy on/off doors give<br />
you easy access to the work area.<br />
And a diagnostic readout helps you<br />
analyze and pinpoint any problems.<br />
KeepRite gas furnaces also come<br />
with outstanding warranties to give<br />
customers added confidence. Call your<br />
KeepRite distributor for details.<br />
80% Gas Furnaces<br />
90% Gas Furnaces<br />
© 2003 International Comfort Products<br />
A member of the United Technologies Corporation family. Stock symbol UTX.<br />
www.keepritedlr.com<br />
Circle Number 115 for More Information<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca September/October 2004 – <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News 13
Furnace Installations—<br />
Heil®<br />
A Few Less Tools, A Lot Fewer Headaches.<br />
®<br />
The full line of Heil multiposition gas furnaces<br />
gives you the flexibility you need to handle<br />
all types of installations.<br />
Multiposition Capabilities<br />
Single Stage<br />
Single Stage<br />
1- or 2-Pipe<br />
80% AFUE<br />
90% AFUE<br />
2-Stage Variable Speed<br />
2-Stage<br />
Single Stage<br />
2-Stage Variable Speed<br />
2-Stage<br />
Single Stage<br />
The Heil ® line of multiposition gas<br />
furnaces includes both 35˝ and 40˝<br />
heights so you can match the right<br />
furnace to the job.<br />
And you can offer your customers<br />
80% or 90% AFUE with a full range of<br />
comfort options, including two-stage<br />
and/or variable-speed operations.<br />
Every one of these units<br />
is designed and built<br />
with the proven<br />
weld-free RPJ ® III<br />
Heat Exchanger for<br />
efficiency and durability.<br />
Servicing is easier than ever, too.<br />
Parts for key components are<br />
standardized across the entire line.<br />
Work areas are unmatched for<br />
accessibility, with easy-on/easy-off<br />
doors and diagnostic readouts.<br />
It all adds up to a complete product<br />
line that lets you offer your customers<br />
an installation they’ll be happy with<br />
for years to come. It’s one more great<br />
reason to depend<br />
on Heil. Call your<br />
local Wolseley<br />
branch for details.<br />
www.heildlr.com<br />
Circle Number 116 for More Information<br />
© 2004 International Comfort Products, LLC<br />
A member of the United Technologies Corporation family. Stock symbol UTX.
Fall Heating<br />
Variable speed furnace<br />
The Tempstar SmartComfort VS 90 gas<br />
furnace features variable speed and<br />
two-stage operation, multi-position<br />
configurations,<br />
two-stage fan<br />
timer, a new 24-<br />
volt hot surface<br />
ignition with<br />
enhanced flame<br />
rectification,<br />
igniter voltage<br />
protection and<br />
diagnostic LEDs.<br />
Inputs are from<br />
50,000 to 125,00<br />
Btu/hr. The VS 90 is rated at 92% AFUE<br />
and has dual certification for single or<br />
two-pipe venting.<br />
International Comfort Prod. Circle no. 301<br />
High efficiency<br />
The Energy Star-rated Olsen UltraMax<br />
III gas furnace achieves 95% AFUE efficiency.<br />
Features<br />
include Honeywell<br />
SmartValve II with<br />
diagnostics, draft<br />
inducer, tubular<br />
heat exchanger,<br />
flexible connection<br />
options, slide-out<br />
blower and overheat<br />
and blocked<br />
vent shut-offs. It is<br />
available in inputs of 50, 70, 85 and<br />
100,000 Btuh. Required clearances are<br />
zero on the sides and two inches in<br />
front. The unit is 36” high.<br />
Olsen Div. ECR Int’l. Circle no. 302<br />
Gas furnaces<br />
Amana now offers<br />
mid and high-efficiency<br />
gas furnaces<br />
with two-stage variable<br />
speed models<br />
to 96% AFUE, along<br />
with singlestage<br />
multi-speed<br />
Reduce your<br />
hot water bill.<br />
Buy a Bosch WR400-7K<br />
models. Features include SureStart silicon<br />
nitride ignition system with adaptive<br />
learning algorithm for enhanced<br />
igniter life and a Million-Air stainless<br />
steel tubular heat exchanger with a lifetime<br />
limited replacement warranty.<br />
Goodman Canada Circle no. 303<br />
Infrared tube heater<br />
The STS-JZ commercial-industrial infrared<br />
radiant tube heater features<br />
quick installation with a one-piece<br />
hanger system and a swaged tube locking<br />
system, plus easy-access servicing<br />
with a quick latch, drop-down burner<br />
enclosure. Uniform heat distribution in<br />
eight firing rates from 45,000 to 200,000<br />
Btu/hr, in lengths from 10 to 70 feet, is<br />
ensured with new webbed hanger plates<br />
that promote free passage of trapped<br />
convection heat.<br />
Schwank Inc. Canada Circle no. 304<br />
Lowboy oil furnace<br />
The Contour high efficiency oil-fired<br />
lowboy furnace features a compact 36-<br />
inch height. This 83.9% AFUE<br />
EnerGuide rated unit is available in<br />
front or rear breech models for L or<br />
direct venting. It features front<br />
cleanouts, firing from 81 to 157,000<br />
Btu/hr outputs and a ‘quick-heat’ chamber-free<br />
designed system. Burner options<br />
include Beckett AFG and Riello 40<br />
models.<br />
Kerr Heating Products Circle no. 305<br />
Please see more Heating products on pg 18<br />
Gary Coad increased his<br />
business by 50% last year.<br />
(Now if only his golf swing would improve as much.)<br />
Gary Coad’s golf swing may need work. But that’s okay with Gary because he<br />
knows where his real strengths lie. “I really enjoy going out and meeting with<br />
customers, discussing what their needs are and making sure they’re getting<br />
only what they need. I don’t try to sell them anything they don’t need and<br />
I think that’s a big part of our success too.”<br />
But often, Gary finds himself selling Lennox Integrated Comfort Solutions. “What we<br />
try to do is explain that it’s in their best interest to look at replacing what they have with<br />
a matched system. And we explain the benefits of that. Many times, they will look at the<br />
benefits and realize that they should upgrade.”<br />
Benefits sell systems.<br />
You can count on customers to have done their homework before they even call you. They<br />
will consider a complete system when they understand the benefits. That’s where Gary<br />
comes in. “We will explain the benefits of a matched system – how the systems work together.<br />
Then the customer feels confident enough in you as an individual to purchase the equipment.”<br />
Word of mouth sells systems.<br />
“About 80% of our business is through customer referrals. It basically comes down to the fact<br />
that if you do a good job for someone and they are happy, they are going to tell somebody else.<br />
Our business has probably increased by 50% over the last year since the new products<br />
were introduced.”<br />
Lennox sells systems.<br />
When you have the best product line out there, you just can’t help but sell<br />
them. According to Gary anyway. “Lennox, in my opinion, has the<br />
best product around … The Lennox territory manager is<br />
always available. He gets back to me as soon as I have a<br />
question. If I’m going to give my customers good service,<br />
then I need to know that there’s somebody there that’s<br />
going to give me good service too.”<br />
Tankless Hot Water Heater<br />
• No standing pilot • Saves space<br />
• Reduces CO2 emissions • Saves $'s<br />
Gary Coad,<br />
Coad Heating & Air Conditioning<br />
80% Energy Efficient<br />
Call 1-800-663-8405<br />
Astravan Distributors Ltd.<br />
website: www.astravan.com<br />
For more about Lennox integrated comfort solutions:<br />
1-800-4 LENNOX • www.lennox.com<br />
Circle Number 117 for More Info<br />
Circle Number 118 for More Information<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca September/October 2004 – <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News 15
ADVERTORIAL<br />
Ottawa Community Housing Corp. Saves Big Bucks<br />
Case Study<br />
In 1999 the Ottawa Community Housing<br />
Corporation (OCHC) decided to replace<br />
their existing 20 year old inefficient<br />
atmospheric boilers. According to Steve<br />
Capello of the OCHC the boilers had<br />
exceeded their estimated life cycle and the<br />
repairs needed could not be justified.<br />
The OCHC wanted to improve boiler<br />
efficiency and at the same time lower the<br />
cost of repairs. The task was to find a<br />
product that would do both, they did. Ten<br />
De Dietrich boilers were installed in two<br />
buildings in 1999.<br />
When Doug Laviolette, Project<br />
Manager for the OCHC, heard about De<br />
Dietrich's unique features such as; low<br />
return water temperatures and low boiler<br />
maintenance he was convinced De<br />
Dietrich would be the right choice for the<br />
OCHC. The unique “eutectic cast iron”<br />
allows the boiler to expand and contract<br />
without risking any damage to boiler. This<br />
damage is commonly known as “thermal<br />
shock”. Most boilers are designed to<br />
accept a maximum temperature differential<br />
of 20 - 30 degrees F. The De Dietrich<br />
boiler can withstand an 81 degree F differential<br />
without damaging the boiler.<br />
This allows the building water temperature<br />
to vary considerably during warmer<br />
weather conditions. This variation in system<br />
loop temperature allows the building<br />
owner to save money on gas because the<br />
boiler acts like a 3-way mixing valve to<br />
control temperature.<br />
The Project<br />
The OCHC provides heating, ventilation<br />
and DHW to over 15,000 apartment units.<br />
This project involved replacing the existing<br />
atmospheric boilers in two buildings<br />
with five new De Dietrich boilers.<br />
Two of the boilers are used for supplying<br />
Domestic Hot Water (DWH) and the<br />
others for building heat. The existing<br />
Johnson building automation system provides<br />
the sequencing and staging for the<br />
system. The boilers were supplied with<br />
Fuel Master Burners which made it easy<br />
to tie into the existing Johnson BAS control<br />
system.<br />
The boiler water temperature is adjusted<br />
according to outside air temperature via<br />
the BAS system. The “eutectic cast iron”<br />
allows the BAS to utilize the boilers<br />
design capabilities to the maximum.<br />
The Results!<br />
The boiler plant was placed on a regular<br />
maintenance program which ensured the<br />
burners were operating at peak performance.<br />
The BAS system was monitored to<br />
make sure the boilers are set according to<br />
outside temperature conditions.<br />
The OCHC through the services of<br />
Enbridge Consumers Gas Company were<br />
able to chart the results from 2000 to 2003.<br />
Over the last three years the OCHC saved<br />
the equivalent of 182,773 m3 of Natural<br />
Gas. In today's natural gas market prices<br />
this equates to $54,831.90 in savings!<br />
“…De Dietrich = cost<br />
savings, it's as simple<br />
as that!”<br />
Did You Know?<br />
According to Enbridge Gas,<br />
every 3 degree drop in<br />
system temperature results in<br />
a 1% fuel savings!<br />
Existing Old Atmospheric Boilers<br />
New De Dietrich GT300 Series High Efficiency Boilers<br />
Doug Laviolette (left) & Steve Capello (right) of the<br />
Ottawa Community Housing Corporation<br />
BOILERS<br />
www.dedietrich-canada.com<br />
Flexible Eutectic Boilers<br />
P.O. Box 1763<br />
Mitchell, Ontario N0K 1N0<br />
E-mail tom.turner@ezlink.on.ca<br />
Tel: 1 519 348-8200<br />
1 800 943-6275<br />
Fax: 519 348-8404<br />
Circle Number 119 for More Information
Fall Heating<br />
Humidifier season<br />
Keep the water conservation issue in mind<br />
By Simon Blake<br />
In the <strong>HVAC</strong> industry the winter is<br />
‘heating season.’ There’s nothing like<br />
a good cold snap to remind residential<br />
customers why they should replace<br />
that old clunker of a furnace.<br />
But when the frigid north winds start<br />
blowing, it also becomes ‘humidifier<br />
season’ in many parts of Canada. Dry<br />
skin, difficulty in sleeping, static electricity<br />
and shrinking hardwoods all<br />
point to the need for a humidifier.<br />
However, high humidifier water use<br />
can lead to a shock when the customer<br />
sees the first post-installation utility bill.<br />
Choosing the right humidifier along<br />
with careful attention to the installation<br />
can minimize that shock and still provide<br />
more than adequate humidity.<br />
Most humidifiers installed by contractors<br />
these days are the flow-through<br />
(bypass) type, with good reason. They<br />
function well, they are low maintenance<br />
and straightforward to install and, as<br />
one contractor remarked, “They don’t<br />
sell them at Home Depot.”<br />
Typically, in a flow-through humidifier,<br />
a solenoid valve meters water into a<br />
trough that disperses water across a pad.<br />
The humidifier is mounted on the vertical<br />
warm air supply or cold air return<br />
plenum. The pressure differential pulls<br />
air into a bypass duct and through the<br />
humidifier. Excess water drains from the<br />
bottom of the unit. This flushes out<br />
minerals and sediment. The pad must<br />
typically be replaced once per year.<br />
But water use can be a problem. Only<br />
about 20 per cent of the water used in a<br />
bypass flow-through humidifier is actually<br />
converted to humidity. Most of the<br />
water is used to flush the humidifier<br />
pad to minimize mineral buildup. Some<br />
models could, in theory, use as much as<br />
72 gallons in 12 hours.<br />
“If municipalities knew how much<br />
water these units use (in an era of water<br />
conservation) they would ban them,”<br />
remarked Steve Tomalin, service manager<br />
for Peel Heating & Air Conditioning<br />
Ltd., a division of Lennox Inc.,<br />
Brampton, Ont. In fact, a few of his customers<br />
have asked to have them<br />
removed.<br />
However, this isn’t quite fair. A flowthrough<br />
humidifier does not run all the<br />
time and today’s bypass-type humidifiers<br />
aren’t the water hogs that some<br />
earlier versions were.<br />
spend more on water… It’s when they<br />
get surprises (that problems occur).”<br />
Installation issues<br />
The other key, adds Grochmal, is to wire<br />
the humidifier so that it operates with<br />
the heat cycle rather than with the fan.<br />
“Fans can run continuously … they are<br />
circulating air and not necessarily tied<br />
into the heating … we try to interlock<br />
the humidifier with the heating so that<br />
you only get humidification when<br />
there’s a reasonable chance of evaporation.”<br />
This is particularly important<br />
with high efficiency furnaces that tend<br />
to run longer/cooler heat cycles.<br />
Input water temperature also makes<br />
a difference. “The hotter the water the<br />
greater the evaporation,” notes David<br />
Chale, general manager for CGF<br />
Products, Toronto, distributor for<br />
GeneralAire humidifiers and other<br />
products in Canada. “Sometimes we<br />
recommend hooking up to hot water to<br />
solve a particular application problem.”<br />
Running DHW can increase capacity by<br />
about 20 per cent.<br />
Water conservation models<br />
Manufacturers have developed special<br />
water conservation models for use<br />
where water use is a concern and/or<br />
water costs are high.<br />
The Aprilaire Model 400 bypass<br />
model, for example, uses 100 per cent of<br />
the water delivered to the unit. The<br />
water flows into a reservoir and is<br />
drawn up by a pad made of a special<br />
wicking material, reports Ron Tanney,<br />
Ontario district sales manager for<br />
Research Products Corp., Madison,<br />
Wisconsin.<br />
Evolution Air offers an electronically<br />
This Honeywell bypass-type humidifier was part of a recent high efficiency furnace<br />
installation by J.E. Murphy Climate Care, LaSalle, Ont. (Murray Nosanchuk photo)<br />
pulsed flow-through unit that pulses<br />
the water supply – four seconds on/30<br />
seconds off. This reduces water use by<br />
80 per cent while allowing a higher<br />
average temperature on the evaporator<br />
pad for more efficient operation,<br />
reports Murray Rideout, president,<br />
Evolution Air, Mississauga, Ont.<br />
However, notes Tanney: “On any<br />
humidifier that does not drain minerals<br />
away you have to be concerned about<br />
increased maintenance.” On the Aprilaire<br />
400, for example, the pads should be<br />
changed about twice as often as on a<br />
conventional flow-through model.<br />
Tomalin reports good success with an<br />
atomizer-type humidifier. The Trion<br />
unit injects a fine mist of water into the<br />
supply duct through an oil-burner nozzle.<br />
A sensor in the plenum activates the<br />
unit only when the air temperature<br />
exceeds 49°C (120°F) to ensure good<br />
evaporation.<br />
Drum-type humidifiers<br />
Drum-type humidifiers have been<br />
around for years and actually work well<br />
from the standpoint of providing<br />
humidification and water conservation.<br />
They are 100 per cent evaporative.<br />
The downside, notes Rideout, is mineral<br />
and calcium buildup in the tray. As<br />
well, standing water can lead to mould<br />
and bacteria problems. Drum-type<br />
humidifiers are usually used where<br />
there is no easy access to a drain or<br />
where water costs or high.<br />
Some are equipped with a flushing<br />
timer to clean the system, which<br />
requires a drain. The typical once-a-day<br />
flushing cycle means that these units are<br />
still relatively efficient.<br />
Keeping<br />
Comfort<br />
you in the<br />
Smart humidifiers<br />
As with so many things, computerized<br />
controls have brought more efficient<br />
operation to humidifiers. Some automatic<br />
controls measure inside humidity<br />
along with outside temperature and<br />
thus automatically adjust to provide the<br />
optimum level of humidity, which is<br />
preset by the customer.<br />
“For every degree of temperature fall<br />
or rise outside, the control decreases or<br />
increases humidity half a per cent to<br />
maintain your set point,” explained<br />
Tanney. This precise control reduces<br />
water use and solves typical problems<br />
like condensation on the windows as<br />
the temperature drops in the evening.<br />
Effective humidification can also save<br />
customers a few dollars on their heating<br />
bills. “If you humidify the air it feels<br />
more comfortable. The homeowner can<br />
get away with a two-degree reduction in<br />
air temperature,” notes Rideout.<br />
Zone<br />
Warm feet in the winter are one way to define your<br />
comfort zone. Another is the confidence of knowing<br />
that the furnace or boiler you’ve installed has been<br />
crafted and engineered to last a lifetime.<br />
At Newmac we build a complete line of solid fuel and<br />
oil fired forced air furnaces and boilers, designed to<br />
keep you in the comfort zone. Call today or visit our<br />
website for more information.<br />
Talk to the customer<br />
“The key here is to be up front with customers<br />
that it will use water,” says contractor<br />
Roger Grochmal, P.Eng., president<br />
of Atlas Air ClimateCare, Mississauga,<br />
Ont. “There is a cost. We let people<br />
Head Office<br />
Ontario Office<br />
know that you can either have stuff<br />
Nova Scotia, B0M 1G0<br />
Ontario, N4V 1P8<br />
P.O. Box 9, Debert<br />
P.O. Box 545, Woodstock<br />
Phone: 902-662-3840<br />
Phone: (519) 539-6147<br />
growing in a drum-type humidifier and<br />
Fax: 902-662-2581<br />
Fax: (519) 539-0048<br />
fouling up your house, or you can<br />
Email: newmac@ca.inter.net<br />
Toll Free: 1-888-291-0990<br />
spend a little money on water and have<br />
NL4 model<br />
www.newmacfurnaces.com<br />
something that flushes out … When the<br />
issues are explained to the customer in<br />
Come visit us at M.E.E.T. Booth 338<br />
that fashion, the majority will opt to<br />
Circle Number 120 for More Information<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca September/October 2004 – <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News 17
Fall Heating<br />
Heat-cool units<br />
The Amana Air Command Series of<br />
packaged gas-electric convertible units<br />
feature 10 and 12 SEER with 2-5 ton<br />
cooling units, Copeland scroll and<br />
reciprocating<br />
compressors<br />
and 1075<br />
rpm condenser<br />
fan<br />
motor.<br />
Amana Million-Air stainless steel and<br />
aluminized steel tubular heat exchangers<br />
are available. They are designed<br />
for downflow and horizontal<br />
positioning.<br />
Goodman Canada Circle no. 306<br />
Condensing oil furnace<br />
Adams has developed the AHEO Series<br />
of condensing oil-fired furnaces to<br />
operate at 92-98% efficiency.<br />
These units<br />
are available in seven<br />
inputs from 50,000 to<br />
250,000 Btuh. Features<br />
include a stainless<br />
steel heat exchanger,<br />
molded pyro-ceramic<br />
combustion chamber<br />
and INTERburner oil burner with<br />
Turbo-reversed air flow. They are ready<br />
for 2.5 to 10 tons of cooling. They are<br />
rated at 1000, 2000 and 4000 cfm at .50<br />
ESP and are CSA certified.<br />
Dragon Fire Distributors Circle no. 307<br />
Furnaces upgraded<br />
Goodman has redesigned and expanded<br />
its line of 80% and 90% AFUE gas<br />
furnaces to feature a<br />
limited lifetime warranty<br />
on the aluminized-steel<br />
tubular heat<br />
exchanger, more compact<br />
size in a new architectural<br />
gray colour,<br />
internal venting in the<br />
90% models with improved<br />
vent lengths, terminal block, added<br />
diagnostics plus a new advanced<br />
ignition system featuring a mini-igniter,<br />
in two-stage/variable-speed and singlestage/multi-speed<br />
operation.<br />
Goodman Canada Circle no. 308<br />
Meet our star players<br />
and have all your bases covered.<br />
New:<br />
Now available with Vitoflame<br />
burner!<br />
See us at <strong>CIPHEX</strong> <strong>West</strong>, booth 323<br />
The Vitotec product line.<br />
Vitola 200 oil-/gas-fired heating boiler and<br />
Vitodens 200 wall-mounted condensing boiler featured.<br />
Viessmann Manufacturing Company Inc.<br />
Tel. (519) 885-6300<br />
Fax (519) 885-0887<br />
www.viessmann.ca<br />
Circle Number 121 for More Information<br />
Multi-position oil furnace<br />
The Summeraire SOM Series Mul-T-<br />
Poise four-position oil-fired furnaces<br />
are certified<br />
for Aero,<br />
Beckett<br />
AFG or<br />
Riello F3<br />
burners.<br />
Features<br />
include a<br />
direct-drive<br />
two-speed blower and a 20-year transferable<br />
warranty on the heat exchanger.<br />
There are three models with seven capacities<br />
from 57,900 to 123,800 Btuh.<br />
Trent Metals Ltd. Circle no. 309<br />
Fuel oil stove<br />
The Kuma Shasta oil-fired stove produces<br />
a low of 4,950 to a high of 15,540<br />
Btu/hr at up to 74% efficiency. It features<br />
a high-efficiency<br />
dual-wall<br />
blue-flame vaporizing<br />
burner, a<br />
four-inch rear vent<br />
for Class ‘L’ chimney<br />
(UL 641), side<br />
door access and is<br />
equipped to use<br />
outside air. It<br />
installs on pedestal,<br />
legs or in a masonry fireplace.<br />
Dragon Fire Distributors Circle no. 310<br />
Gas connector<br />
The SafetyPLUS Advantage gas connection<br />
system features an automatic gas<br />
shut-off with a magnet-based excess<br />
flow valve that responds to excess gas<br />
pressure, but only at the appliance with<br />
the leak.<br />
Gas connectors<br />
feature<br />
yellow<br />
ProCoat<br />
polymer<br />
coating for superior corrosion resistance,<br />
applied before nut assembly, automatic<br />
reset and are CSA certified.<br />
BrassCraft Mfg. Co. Circle no. 311<br />
Vertical PTAC<br />
The Suite 20 PTAC by First Co. is a vertical<br />
concealed unit that is 20 x 20 inches<br />
and installs in an<br />
exterior wall closet. It<br />
offers heat pump, hot<br />
water and cool-only<br />
models, in sizes up to 2<br />
tons air conditioning<br />
with up to 10 kW of<br />
electric heat or 52,200<br />
Btu/hr of hot water<br />
heat. This unit is<br />
designed for multiroom<br />
conditioning<br />
with several air ducts.<br />
En Mar Systems Circle no. 312<br />
Mid-size furnace<br />
Nordyne’s two-stage 80+% AFUE gas<br />
furnace features a ‘SmartLite’ control<br />
board with diagnostics and integrated<br />
control of flame and limit circuit.<br />
These furnaces are designed for upflow<br />
or horizontal applications. Features<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca
Fall Heating<br />
include induced draft variable speed<br />
blower-motor, inputs of 72,000,<br />
100,000 and 120,000 Btu/hr, with a 20-<br />
yr warranty on the heat exchanger.<br />
Nordyne Circle no. 313<br />
Analyze heat loss<br />
The Solaronics Evalu-Heat analyzes<br />
heat loss, forecasts annual fuel costs for<br />
any commercial or industrial building,<br />
determines appropriate<br />
heater<br />
selections<br />
and compares<br />
infrared heaters<br />
to unit<br />
heaters. Software<br />
is free and<br />
runs on Windows-based PCs.<br />
Solaronics Inc. Circle no. 314<br />
Wall furnace<br />
The Longvie DV models are natural gas<br />
or propane-fired modulating direct<br />
vent wall furnaces<br />
with<br />
outputs of<br />
2,170 Btuh<br />
minimum and<br />
7500 maximum<br />
for the<br />
DV-12 and<br />
4500 low and<br />
13,500 high<br />
for the DV-20. They operate at 76% efficiency<br />
with a single-speed 60 cfm blower.<br />
This unit requires 24 x 6 x 7 inches<br />
clearance from combustibles.<br />
Stove Builder Int’l. Circle no. 315<br />
Serpentine heaters<br />
CT Series high turndown gas-fired serpentine<br />
heaters at 8:1 to 40:1 are made<br />
in Canada. They<br />
are designed to<br />
convert rooftops<br />
and replace electric<br />
heaters. They are<br />
available in multiple<br />
heating capacities<br />
of 10.5 to 400<br />
mbh, with single<br />
and dual stage, low<br />
fire, modulating,<br />
and multi-stage operation. They are<br />
stackable in parallel or series, for vertical,<br />
horizontal or angle positioning.<br />
Tega Technologies Circle no. 316<br />
Pilot ignition<br />
The 35-73 intermittent pilot gas ignition<br />
control features precise, repeatable<br />
timing sequences,<br />
TFI<br />
times up to 120<br />
secs., single<br />
spark and sensor<br />
and remote<br />
flame sensor<br />
options, thermostat/poweroff<br />
and automatic<br />
reset<br />
options with<br />
on-board diagnostics. They are CSA<br />
certified and available in three models.<br />
Fenwal Circle no. 317<br />
Canadian General Filters<br />
SUPPLYING<br />
SOLUTIONS<br />
TO <strong>HVAC</strong>/R PROFESSIONALS<br />
FOR OVER 50 YEARS!<br />
Meet the little brother of the<br />
INDUSTRY PROVEN 1042DM, the<br />
SL-16DM HUMIDIFIER<br />
OFFERS MORE<br />
COSTS LESS...<br />
Developed to provide<br />
the easiest installation<br />
and service as well as<br />
the most evaporative<br />
output for the least<br />
amount of money.<br />
ONLY 6 PARTS<br />
for Simple, Quick Assembly.<br />
Comes with complete<br />
Installation Kit – all in ONE BOX.<br />
■ Fits ducts as narrow as 8-1/2".<br />
■ 990-13 Pad, same as model<br />
1042DM (19.2 GPD).<br />
■ Modern cabinet design utilizing<br />
durable non-corrosive, hightemperature<br />
materials.<br />
■ Snap-together construction<br />
requires No Tools to prep or<br />
service.<br />
■ Right- or left-hand bypass<br />
installation.<br />
Available at Better Wholesalers<br />
Across Canada<br />
Canadian General Filters<br />
1-888-216-9184<br />
sales@cgfproducts.com<br />
This little box could make you very popular…<br />
Inside this little box is the<br />
HeatManager,a patented<br />
microprocessor that<br />
automatically adjusts the burner<br />
run pattern to match the<br />
system’s heat load, substantially<br />
improving efficiency.<br />
The Beckett HeatManager is<br />
an ideal product for your residential hot water customers!<br />
We’re so<br />
confident, we<br />
guarantee it!<br />
Good things do<br />
indeed come in<br />
small packages!<br />
Looking for more<br />
information?<br />
Visit the “new products”<br />
section on our<br />
Web site –<br />
www.beckettcorp.com or<br />
contact Beckett Canada<br />
at 1-800-665-6972.<br />
… It’s<br />
guaranteed<br />
to save your<br />
customers<br />
money!<br />
Here’s why:<br />
• HeatManager makes systems more efficient<br />
• Works with any fuel<br />
• Easy to install with plug-in sensors<br />
• You can guarantee your customers savings of at least 10%...<br />
or Beckett will send them a full refund<br />
• Payback is usually within just two heating seasons!<br />
• No programming or follow-up visits required<br />
• No upgrades or other components required<br />
• Five year replacement warranty<br />
It’s another superior<br />
heating product from<br />
the people you trust.<br />
Circle Number 122 for More Info<br />
Circle Number 123 for More Information<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca September/October 2004 – <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News 19
Hot Water Heating<br />
Part II<br />
Water quality and how to maintain it<br />
in hydronic heating systems<br />
By Roy CollverIn the last issue, I<br />
covered some of<br />
the bad stuff that<br />
can be introduced<br />
into your closed<br />
loop hydronic system<br />
as a result of<br />
using boiler feed<br />
water that was less than ideal.<br />
I said to put on your common sense<br />
hats here and have a hard look at what<br />
you are putting in your system. I ended<br />
by saying that there are some really simple<br />
rules for solving most water quality<br />
problems. Well, enough waiting already,<br />
let’s look at the basics:<br />
• Common sense rule no. 1 says if you<br />
can’t drink the water, don’t put it in<br />
your boiler. Pretty much any municipal<br />
potable water will be fine to use<br />
just as it comes, right out of the tap.<br />
The beauty of using municipal water<br />
is that often the utility will be able to<br />
tell you exactly what is in it and if<br />
there are any problems with low pH<br />
or excessive levels of dissolved minerals,<br />
so you save on having to do a<br />
water test.<br />
•<br />
Well water must be tested for pH, dissolved<br />
mineral content, suspended<br />
organic and inorganic solids and dissolved<br />
gases (in some areas). Test<br />
results will dictate filtration and<br />
treatment as necessary. If heavy-duty<br />
water treatment is required, it may be<br />
far better to bring in water of acceptable<br />
quality from another source<br />
(more about that in a minute).<br />
•<br />
Any time you think you may have a<br />
water quality problem find a reputable<br />
water treatment specialist and<br />
work with them to both test and treat<br />
– don’t just dump in some chemical<br />
brew that a buddy recommended to<br />
you. This is complicated stuff. Hire an<br />
expert, since some chemical treatments<br />
will actually make a bad situation<br />
worse.<br />
For example, phosphate based<br />
inhibitors will combine with water soluble<br />
iron (common in some rural water<br />
sources) and form heat insulating<br />
deposits of iron hydroxide or iron phosphate.<br />
Another example – many traditional<br />
inhibitor packages can create an<br />
alkaline solution with a pH high<br />
enough to completely destroy aluminum<br />
components. Aluminum is just<br />
starting to be used in North American<br />
hydronic systems – particularly in heat<br />
exchangers.<br />
• Install an effective filter when<br />
required to remove any ‘gunk’ that<br />
may enter your system through either<br />
the water feed or through chemical<br />
reaction and deposition. Side-arm<br />
micron filters with a sight glass (tells<br />
you when the filter is plugged) are<br />
your best choice.<br />
•<br />
After the initial fill, eliminate the<br />
introduction of fresh makeup water<br />
by preventing leaks and relief valve<br />
discharges – probably the simplest<br />
way to protect your system. Even bad<br />
water becomes pretty much chemically<br />
inert after a few weeks in a<br />
closed loop system, so as long as you<br />
don’t keep dumping fresh water in,<br />
any damage should be minor and<br />
contained.<br />
Of course, once you install a filter or<br />
add chemicals, you now have a regular<br />
maintenance issue. Filters plug up and<br />
chemicals can go bad over time or<br />
A system feeder takes water quality and backflow issues out of the equation.<br />
This installation uses an Axiom Model MF200 with optional tank shelf. It<br />
provides system pressurization and makeup with no connection to the potable<br />
supply. The installation is at Cypress Sales Partnership in Saskatoon. The PEX<br />
lines go to individual steel panel radiators in the offices on the perimeter of the<br />
building. (Photo courtesy of Jerry Boulanger)<br />
become depleted. Your water quality<br />
expert should be able to provide you<br />
with information as to how to test, and<br />
the frequency of testing required, but<br />
remember – buyer beware! The chemical<br />
people are in the business of – surprise<br />
– selling chemicals!<br />
If you find that the recommendations<br />
include dumping in lots and lots<br />
of expensive chemicals, it may be time<br />
to get a second opinion. There are excellent<br />
chemical people out there, but unfortunately<br />
there are always a few bandits<br />
looking for a quick buck. Ask for<br />
references if you don’t know who you<br />
are working with.<br />
Also keep in mind that, according to<br />
the CSA B214 hydronics code, if you are<br />
using a single wall heat exchanger for<br />
generating domestic hot water, anything<br />
you put in the boiler water must<br />
be non-toxic, which rules out most<br />
chemical treatments.<br />
Bring in a barrel or two of reverse<br />
osmosis (RO) water. If you need to add<br />
glycol, use at least 30% of an inhibited<br />
hydronic glycol. If glycol is not needed,<br />
add a hydronic inhibitor package suitable<br />
for the components in your system<br />
and fill’er up. If you aren’t sure what<br />
inhibitor to add, don’t add anything.<br />
I am told that RO water is aggressive,<br />
but will do limited damage to a system<br />
that doesn’t have any leaks that cause you<br />
to constantly add more. Automatic system<br />
feeders have a pressure switch and<br />
regulator, with a pump that will automatically<br />
come on and keep the system<br />
pressurized should a small leak occur.<br />
Their best feature is that they have a<br />
limited reservoir of fluid. Leaks are discovered<br />
almost immediately and can be<br />
repaired before serious damage can<br />
occur from constant fresh makeup<br />
water. As a bonus, you can eliminate the<br />
backflow preventer and its required<br />
testing. With any luck at all, your boiler<br />
manufacturer will be able to recommend<br />
what inhibitors are acceptable to<br />
use in their equipment, and I urge manufacturers<br />
out there to make that information<br />
readily available.<br />
Materials used in hydronic systems<br />
are becoming more and more varied<br />
and we need all the help we can get to<br />
make the right choices.<br />
System feeder<br />
My best piece of advice? Avoid chemicals<br />
as much as possible and eliminate<br />
the fresh water feed altogether by<br />
installing a packaged hydronic system<br />
feeder. There are a number of inexpensive<br />
units available today that will allow<br />
you to sleep well at night and avoid<br />
problems due to bad water quality.<br />
Circle Number 124 for More Information<br />
20 <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News – September/October 2004 www.plumbingandhvac.ca
Hot Water Heating<br />
New DHW heaters<br />
The Bradford White eF Series line of<br />
gas-fired DHW tanks now include 100-<br />
gallon models with 150,000, 199,999,<br />
250,000 and 300,000 Btu’s and three 60-<br />
gal. units with<br />
125,000, 150,000<br />
and 199,999 Btu<br />
capacities. All eF<br />
Series models<br />
feature thermal<br />
efficiency ratings<br />
up to 99.1% and<br />
can vent unbalanced<br />
the equivalent<br />
of up to<br />
120 feet with 3-<br />
inch ABS, PVC<br />
or CPVC piping<br />
or 170 feet with<br />
4-inch piping.<br />
Bradford White Canada Circle no. 318<br />
Condensing boilers<br />
AERCO 2.0 million Btuh stainless-steel<br />
commercial gas-fired Benchmark condensing<br />
boilers<br />
feature dual<br />
fuel capability<br />
and a modulating<br />
burner<br />
with 20:1 turndown<br />
for 98%<br />
thermal efficiency.<br />
The<br />
Benchmark is<br />
for commercial<br />
applications<br />
utilizing cooler water temperatures.<br />
AERCO International Circle no. 321<br />
Water heater warranty<br />
All Bradford White PowerStor Series<br />
single wall and stainless steel residential<br />
indirect water heaters now offer a Limited<br />
Lifetime tank and heat exchanger<br />
warranty.<br />
Universal<br />
mates for a<br />
boiler, the<br />
models feature<br />
a heat<br />
exchanger of<br />
carbon steel,<br />
Vitraglas®<br />
coated coil or a stainless steel coil, in<br />
sizes from 30-gal. residential to 120-gal.<br />
commercial.<br />
Bradford White Canada Circle no. 322<br />
Modular RFH panels<br />
Thermal Track modular radiant heating<br />
panels from Zurn feature grooves that<br />
hold the 3/8-inch ZurnPEX tubing<br />
which just snaps into the panel’s<br />
grooves. It has a low profile to accommodate<br />
any type of flooring, and is light<br />
in weight. The smooth surface allows<br />
for the easy attachment of flooring.<br />
Zurn Canada Circle no. 323<br />
Oil-gas boilers<br />
Vitola 200 gas-oil boilers are designed<br />
for modulating boiler water temperatures<br />
without low limit. They feature a<br />
horizontal biferral sandwiched heat<br />
WELCOME TO<br />
TheNewAgeofRadiant<br />
exchanger with wide water jackets and<br />
large water content. These units are<br />
AFUE rated on oil to 87% and on gas to<br />
85%. They are available in six capacities<br />
from 83 to 300 MBH or 24 to 88 kW,<br />
with a uniform base chassis and common<br />
components.<br />
Viessmann Mfg. Circle no. 319<br />
Oil-fired boiler<br />
WTGO Gold Series 3 oil-fired cast iron<br />
boiler operates at 85%+ AFUE, with a<br />
high-capacity indirect tankless water<br />
Taco Radiant Mixing Block<br />
iSeries Mixing Valve<br />
Variable Speed "00" Circulator<br />
00R-IFC Circulator<br />
As an industry leader in <strong>HVAC</strong> technologies,<br />
Taco leads the way in radiant product and<br />
system design.<br />
The Taco Radiant Mixing Block combines<br />
a variable-speed injection mixing control,<br />
injection circulator, system circulator and air<br />
elimination all in one. And it features only<br />
four piping connections, cutting space<br />
requirements and installation time to a<br />
minimum.<br />
Our intelligent iSeries Mixing Valve builtin<br />
solid-state microprocessor with outdoor<br />
reset, or setpoint control, allows this fully<br />
modulating valve to give precise, cost<br />
effective temperature control - with built-in<br />
boiler protection. The 00R-IFC Circulator<br />
is designed for radiant head and flow<br />
requirements with built-in Flow Check and<br />
our replaceable cartridge for easy servicing.<br />
Three versions are available with our<br />
built–in variable speed control.<br />
Taco’s Variable Speed "00"Circulator is<br />
our all-in-one pump and control - available<br />
in 3 versions: Outdoor Reset, Setpoint or<br />
Variable Voltage. They range from<br />
003 – 0014 with our replaceable cartridge<br />
for easy servicing.<br />
Our goal is to design and build the most<br />
reliable, versatile and easy to install radiant<br />
products on the market.<br />
The new age of radiant is here!<br />
heater with WMBP and WMPH heat<br />
exchangers. It is available in eight sizes<br />
from 99,000 to 257,000 Btu/hr net ratings<br />
or 0.95-2.55 gph with #2 fuel oil.<br />
Features include convertible flue (rear/<br />
top), swing-away burner door, quickopen<br />
cover with full width top cleaning,<br />
wired circulator and captured flexible<br />
TACO CANADA LTD. 6180 Ordan Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L5T 2B3<br />
Tel. 905-564-9422 Fax. 905-564-9436 www.taco-hvac.com<br />
seal nipple port design.<br />
Weil-McLain Canada Circle no. 320<br />
Circle Number 125 for More Information<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca September/October 2004 – <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News 21
Want a gas<br />
furnace that<br />
will fit any<br />
application?<br />
Multiposition Capabilities<br />
No problem.<br />
Our multiposition gas furnaces are designed<br />
to give you more installation options than ever.<br />
In fact, the 80% models come in both 35˝ and<br />
40˝ heights, which means that you’ll never<br />
have to worry about having too much or too<br />
little clearance.<br />
Service is still convenient. Many Key components<br />
of these furnaces are standardized to make it<br />
easier for you to deliver the quality service<br />
your customers expect. Easy on/off doors give<br />
you convenient access to the work area. And<br />
all the furnaces have an easy-to-get-to<br />
diagnostic system.<br />
The new furnaces are just as<br />
Durable as the previous ones. The<br />
RPJ ® III heat exchanger uses proven<br />
weld-free technology for increased<br />
reliability and performance. Plus,<br />
the unique design forces<br />
more heat to the outside<br />
surface area for higher<br />
efficiencies, with a smaller<br />
footprint. All the Tempstar ®<br />
units, as well as the heat<br />
exchangers, have been thoroughly<br />
tested to give you the quality<br />
furnaces you require.<br />
Contact your Tempstar distributor<br />
today for full details.<br />
80% Furnace 90% Furnace<br />
40˝<br />
35˝<br />
Single Stage<br />
2-stage, Variable Speed<br />
2-stage<br />
Single Stage<br />
2-stage, Variable Speed<br />
2-stage<br />
Single Stage<br />
Single Stage<br />
1 or 2-Pipe<br />
© 2003 International Comfort Products<br />
A member of the United Technologies Corporation family. Stock symbol UTX.<br />
Circle Number 126 for More Information<br />
tempstar.com<br />
tempstardlr.com
With Delta, you never have to<br />
do the same job twice.<br />
We put 50 years of experience into every faucet. From filling tall pots<br />
in the sink to watering a plant on the counter, Delta ®<br />
pull-outs are<br />
designed to please your clients for years. We rigorously test and<br />
thoroughly hand-inspect them to ensure superior performance and<br />
Signature ® Pull-Out<br />
Model 470-BL<br />
durability. Sure it’s extensive, but it virtually eliminates the follow-up<br />
work for you.<br />
Waterfall ® Pull-Out<br />
Model 474<br />
Saxony Pull-Out<br />
Model 473-RB<br />
Saxony Pull-Out faucet<br />
(model #473-SS)<br />
To learn more about how Delta Faucet can help your business,<br />
visit www.deltafaucet.com or call 1-800-345-DELTA (3358)<br />
Circle Number 127 for More Information<br />
A Masco Company
Faucets & Fixtures<br />
Pullout faucets<br />
The Extensa and Salora pullout kitchen<br />
faucets from Moen feature a 54-inch<br />
(137 cm) pullout extension (for the<br />
Extensa<br />
models), a<br />
choice of<br />
contemporary<br />
style<br />
loop handles,<br />
in eight<br />
different<br />
finishes including LifeShine titaniumstrengthened<br />
non-tarnish stainless steel.<br />
Moen Inc. Circle no. 324<br />
Kitchen faucets<br />
The Moda faucet from Elkay features a<br />
pullout spray head and single control<br />
lever and a 15-inch high-arc height with<br />
a 7-1/2-inch reach. It is available in<br />
chrome, brushed nickel and brushed<br />
chrome. Construction is solid cast-brass<br />
with a ceramic disc cartridge.<br />
Elkay Mfg. Circle no. 325<br />
Bathroom suite<br />
The Moen Asceri Collection for the<br />
bath features widespread and miniwidespread<br />
trim for Roman tub and lav<br />
faucets, paper holder, towel bar or ring,<br />
soap holder, tumbler and holder, robe<br />
hook, showerheads and a diverter spout<br />
with Moentrol and PosiTemp tubshower<br />
control trim and is available in a<br />
variety of finishes.<br />
Moen Inc. Circle no. 326<br />
Faucet collection<br />
The Marielle kitchen collection from<br />
Price Pfister now includes a four-inch<br />
Pedestal basin<br />
The Porcher Archive Bathroom Collection,<br />
a design<br />
from the Roaring<br />
Twenties, features<br />
a 26-3/4 x 21-1/2-<br />
inch basin that<br />
stands 33-1/4-in.<br />
high, with classic<br />
cross handle faucets.<br />
It is one of a<br />
series of new designs introduced as the<br />
Classique Collection of fixtures, faucets<br />
and furniture from American Standard.<br />
American Standard Circle no. 328<br />
Pedestal lavatory<br />
The Tosca bathroom suite features a<br />
pedestal lavatory<br />
in both four and<br />
eight-inch centres<br />
for a wider<br />
choice of faucets.<br />
The base features<br />
vertical lines<br />
which also extend<br />
around the basin.<br />
The suite also<br />
includes a countertop lav and a toilet in<br />
white, onyx, natural biscuit.<br />
Eljer Circle no. 329<br />
Low-flow showerheads<br />
The Earth showerheads<br />
are available<br />
with four flow control<br />
technology choices<br />
from 1.7 to 2.35 gallons<br />
per minute. The<br />
flow compensator is<br />
not removeable. Available<br />
colours include<br />
white, chrome white,<br />
chrome-gold. These<br />
showerheads come<br />
with a 10-year warranty.<br />
Niagara Flapperless Circle no. 330<br />
Affordable European design<br />
Many Canadian homeowners like the<br />
new European faucet designs, but turn<br />
away when they hear the price. Delta<br />
The bathroom as a refuge<br />
The bathroom-as-a-spa concept is<br />
gaining popularity among Canadian<br />
homeowners, reports Delta Faucet<br />
Canada in its fall bathroom trends<br />
report.<br />
“Canadians are adding new extravagant<br />
items to their master bathrooms<br />
to create an oasis …,” says<br />
Jacqueline Glass, president and<br />
design consultant, Jacqueline Glass &<br />
Associates Inc., Mississauga, Ont.<br />
In fact this includes many spainspired<br />
items such as heated toilet<br />
seats and tanning units. And, as<br />
Big soaker tubs, like Delta Faucet’s<br />
Providence Classic Roman Tub, are<br />
one of today’s most significant new<br />
trends in bathroom design.<br />
reported in the annual Luxury <strong>Plumbing</strong> issue of P&<strong>HVAC</strong> back in May, some<br />
homeowners are building big screen televisions and gas fireplaces into the<br />
walls of their master bathrooms.<br />
Tubs have evolved from the traditional whirlpool to custom showers with<br />
body sprays, jets and hand showers. Big soaker tubs continue to gain popularity<br />
– there are few things that relieve stress in today’s busy world like a<br />
good soak.<br />
The all-white bathroom is becoming a rare bird as homeowners adopt<br />
colours from all over the spectrum – something that taxes even the ever-creative<br />
minds at North America’s faucet and fixture manufacturers. Fall colour<br />
trends for 2004 lean towards the softer and lighter, reports Glass, with yellows<br />
and greens remaining strong.<br />
At the same time, consumers are going for a minimalist uncluttered look.<br />
This is apparent in the growing popularity of glass sinks, countertops and<br />
even faucet handles. “Glass adds sparkle and beauty to a bathroom, gives<br />
depth and light to a space, and is easy to maintain,” remarks Glass.<br />
Faucet styles continue to vary enormously with personal taste. There are<br />
basically two camps – those that favour sleek modern designs and those that<br />
prefer the traditional look. Likewise, tub and lavatory design varies from<br />
modern to traditional.<br />
However, today’s homeowners are paying more attention to getting the<br />
right appearance, notes Karen Marshall, director of marketing for Delta<br />
Faucet Canada.<br />
“Co-ordinating the faucet with other elements in the bathroom is essential<br />
in creating a polished and elegant look,” she reports.<br />
Faucet has addressed this issue with its<br />
new Spree bathroom series. The single<br />
hole/single handle design features solid<br />
brass construction and a chrome finish.<br />
It incorporates a high-temperature limit<br />
stop to keep hands safe from scalding.<br />
Delta Faucet Canada Circle no. 331<br />
lav faucet as a centreset or mini-widespread<br />
with a decorative deckplate. The<br />
widespread can be installed on sinks<br />
from 8 to 15 in. with a one-piece hose<br />
assembly. There is also a single control<br />
tub-and-shower faucet with a decorative<br />
‘rain-can’ showerhead and a roman<br />
tub fixtures.<br />
Price Pfister Circle no. 327<br />
BEFORE<br />
AFTER<br />
Install a basement bathroom without breaking the floor<br />
(or the bank)<br />
• You decide where to put a toilet or bathroom, it is not dictated by the drainage situation.<br />
• Easy installation, do it yourself. • Your floors stay intact. No breaking, no mess.<br />
• Can be installed up to 12’ below the sewer level and/or 150’ away from a soil stack.<br />
• You only need small diameter 3/4” discharge pipe, which can be run virtually anywhere.<br />
• Over three million sold worldwide. • Clean, reliable, and virtually maintenance free.<br />
Add convenience • Add luxury • Add value to your home<br />
For a FREE brochure please call: 1•800•363•5874<br />
To see the entire family of Saniflo products visit:<br />
www.saniflo.com<br />
Circle Number 128 for More Information<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca September/October 2004 – <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News 25
Pipes, Valves & Fittings<br />
Steel pipe fittings<br />
Gruvlok Sock-It cast iron fittings provide<br />
a quick, secure and reliable method<br />
of joining cleaned plain-end steel pipe.<br />
Fittings include straight tees, tees with<br />
NPT threaded outlets, straight couplings<br />
and 90-degree elbows with pressure<br />
energized elastomer EPDM gaskets.<br />
UL/ULC and FM approve these for<br />
wet and dry fire protection systems and<br />
many other mechanical steel pipe systems.<br />
Mueller Flow Control Circle no. 332<br />
Temperature control station<br />
The Megatron complete water temperature<br />
control station is a pre-packaged<br />
system with high-low mixing valve,<br />
return line piping<br />
with circulator,<br />
balancing and<br />
isolating components,<br />
test connection<br />
and new<br />
temperature and<br />
monitoring and<br />
recording options.<br />
There are<br />
six models from<br />
1-180 gpm and 3/4 to 2-inch inlet-outlets,<br />
all mounted on a heavy-duty strut.<br />
Leonard Valve Circle no. 333<br />
Rain-R-Shine<br />
Cement<br />
®<br />
● Medium bodied cement for PVC pipe and fittings<br />
up to 6” in diameter.<br />
● CSA Approved.<br />
● Very fast-setting cement formulated for wet conditions<br />
or quick pressurization and fast installation.<br />
● Recommended for ALL grades and types of PVC pipe<br />
& fittings, potable water, pressure pipe, conduit & DWV.<br />
● For use on Sch. 40 and 80.<br />
● Ideal for pool and spa use.<br />
● No primer needed on non-pressure DWV<br />
up to 4” in diameter where local codes permit.<br />
● Meets ASTM D-2564.<br />
For Wet & Dry Applications<br />
218 Wilkinson Rd.Unit #3 Brampton, Ontario Canada L6T 4M4 216-267-7100<br />
Circle Number 129 for More Information<br />
Flow limit valve<br />
Circuit Sentry automatic flow limiting<br />
valves adjust hydronic <strong>HVAC</strong> systems,<br />
such as variable<br />
speed<br />
pumping<br />
systems, to<br />
peak operating<br />
performance.<br />
They<br />
feature a<br />
ball-type shutoff valve, commissioning<br />
measuring ports, and a flow control cartridge<br />
from 2 to 60 psid at +/-5%. They<br />
are available in sizes from 1/2 to three<br />
inches with a variety of fixed end<br />
connections.<br />
ITT Fluid Products Circle no. 334<br />
CR pumps<br />
These medium-sized multi-stage centrifugal<br />
pumps – CR 10, 15 and 20<br />
models – feature<br />
a unique cartridge<br />
seal unit.<br />
The LiqTec sensor<br />
constantly<br />
checks for liquid<br />
in the pump.<br />
Construction is<br />
cast iron, stainless<br />
steel or even<br />
titanium, for maximum pump efficiency.<br />
An integrated frequency converter<br />
regulates motor speed.<br />
Grundfos Pumps Circle no. 335<br />
Pressure mixer<br />
The Advantage 6700 Series shower mixing<br />
valve is a pressure-actuated mixer<br />
with integral thermometer.<br />
Construction<br />
is bronze<br />
with a stainless<br />
steel pressure-balancing<br />
piston. The<br />
built-in dial thermometer<br />
includes<br />
a temperature<br />
indicator. This model is approved for<br />
use in disabled washrooms.<br />
Leonard Valve Circle no. 336<br />
Mixing valves<br />
The TMV Series thermostatic mixing<br />
valves for mixing hot and cold water on<br />
hot water distributions systems provide<br />
precise<br />
temperature<br />
control<br />
and<br />
high flow<br />
characteristics<br />
for<br />
DHW recirculation, radiant heating<br />
and other applications. They are available<br />
in 1/2, 3/4 and 1-inch sizes, with<br />
NPT or solder connections.<br />
S.A. Armstrong Ltd. Circle no. 337<br />
ATMOSPHAIR<br />
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL<br />
REFRIGERATION, AIR-CONDITIONING<br />
& HEATING<br />
795 Warden Avenue,<br />
Scarborough, Ontario, M1L 4C4<br />
COOLING PRODUCTS<br />
◗ Condensers<br />
• Shell & tube<br />
• Tube in tube<br />
◗ Condensing units<br />
• Air cooled<br />
• Water cooled<br />
◗ Packaged chillers<br />
• Air cooled<br />
• Water cooled<br />
• Outdoor<br />
• Remote condenser<br />
◗ Chiller vessels<br />
• 2-225 tons<br />
◗ Compressors<br />
• Hermetic screw<br />
• Open drive screw<br />
• Hermetic reciprocating<br />
• Open drive reciprocating<br />
◗ Custom coils<br />
• Chilled water<br />
• Glycol<br />
• Direct expansion<br />
PUMP PRODUCTS<br />
◗ Boiler feed pumps<br />
◗ Steam condensate pumps<br />
◗ Steam vacuum pumps<br />
◗ Circulating pumps1/4-200 HP<br />
• Close coupled<br />
• Base mount<br />
• Inline circulator<br />
• Double suction<br />
◗ Thermostatic valves<br />
◗ Balancing valves<br />
◗ Steam specialties<br />
• Low pressure thermostatic<br />
traps<br />
• High pressure thermostatic<br />
traps<br />
• Float and thermostatic traps<br />
• Bucket traps<br />
Extra! Extra! Extra!<br />
HEATING PRODUCTS<br />
◗ Radiation products<br />
• Walvector<br />
• Convector<br />
◗ Unit heaters<br />
• Steam or hot water<br />
• Horizontal<br />
• Vertical<br />
• Cabinet<br />
◗ Custom coils<br />
• Steam<br />
• Hot water<br />
Steam Specialties, Condensate/Boiler Feed Pumps . . . . . . .Stock to 2 Weeks<br />
Unit Heaters (Vertical, Horizontal, Cabinet or Gas type) . . . . .Stock to 2 Weeks<br />
Fan Coil Units and Air Handlers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stock to 2 Weeks<br />
Packaged Chillers and Chiller / Condenser Vessels . . . . . . . . . . .1 to 9 Weeks<br />
Dunham-Bush Condenser Gkts & UC Defrost Heaters . . . . .Stock to 3 Weeks<br />
Heating/Cooling Coils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 to 4 Weeks<br />
◗ Vari-Vac®<br />
• Vacuum differential heating<br />
Control system<br />
Formerly Dunham-Bush Inc.<br />
Tel: (416) 751-7777 • Toll Free: 1-800-387-8059<br />
Fax: (416) 751-5637 or 757-1557 • Toll Free Fax: (888) 751-5637<br />
Formerly Dunham-Bush Inc.<br />
Circle Number 130 for More Information<br />
26 <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News – September/October 2004 www.plumbingandhvac.ca
Drain Tech<br />
Trailer mounted<br />
water jet machines<br />
By Warren Law<br />
‘POWERFUL!’ That<br />
is the way a Montreal<br />
plumbing contractor<br />
described his new<br />
acquisition. Imagine<br />
a water jet drain<br />
cleaning machine that<br />
will do more than the<br />
smaller electric and<br />
gasoline powered units, but not as<br />
much as the large truck-mounted units.<br />
An expanding business put Decarie<br />
Drain Tech of Montreal, a plumbing<br />
contractor, in the market for a larger<br />
machine.<br />
But let’s back up a little. As explained<br />
in a previous article, water jet machines<br />
are used for blockages where a cable<br />
machine cannot solve the problem. A<br />
cable machine works well for roots.<br />
A water jetter is more effective for<br />
grease and grease traps in kitchens and<br />
food preparation businesses, underground<br />
parking garages with 4" to 6"<br />
drains, institutions such as hospitals<br />
and schools, apartment buildings, site<br />
clean-up, and other commercial applications.<br />
Preventive maintenance contracts<br />
permit the contractor to use his<br />
employees more effectively.<br />
Trailer-mounted jetters have proven<br />
themselves elsewhere. A trailer-mounted<br />
unit allows a contractor to expand<br />
his business into the larger drain market<br />
without moving to a truck-mounted<br />
unit.<br />
Expanding drain business<br />
And that is the position that Decarie<br />
owners, Harvey Solomon and son<br />
Jason, found themselves in. Harvey<br />
founded the business in 1976 in the<br />
Montreal suburb of St. Laurent. He<br />
moved into Montreal about two years<br />
ago to be closer to his clients. Jason<br />
trained in Florida with a big drain<br />
cleaning contractor and brought back<br />
his expertise to expand Decarie<br />
<strong>Plumbing</strong>.<br />
They decided to establish a “one-stop<br />
shopping plumbing/drain cleaning”<br />
operation. That means line locating,<br />
pipe thawing, camera inspection, floor<br />
cutting, excavating, drain cleaning and<br />
related plumbing repairs. In other<br />
words, they will solve the problem on<br />
the spot.<br />
Recently Decarie won a maintenance<br />
contract for a large apartment complex.<br />
Harvey and Jason started looking into<br />
larger jetters. They worked with a floor<br />
unit and considered building their own<br />
trailer-mounted rig.<br />
However, when they saw the General<br />
Pipe Cleaners Typhoon (reviewed in the<br />
May/June issue of P&<strong>HVAC</strong>), they decided<br />
that building their own wasn’t<br />
worth the time and trouble.<br />
The new unit had a number of features<br />
they were looking for: power, professional<br />
look, right-sized hose, portability<br />
and the right electronics. Power is<br />
supplied by a 24 hp gas engine. The unit<br />
flows 12 gpm at up to 2,500 psi. (Water<br />
jet machine effectiveness is the function<br />
of 70 to 80% gallons per minute (gpm)<br />
and about 20% variable pressure.)<br />
This unit includes a vibra-pulse feature<br />
– vibration in the hose caused by<br />
pulsing water helps move the hose<br />
through the drain piping. Other features<br />
include a ballcock that automatically<br />
fills the holding tank as needed, a<br />
float switch to prevent the holding tank<br />
The truck and trailer combo, pictured outside the Wolseley branch in St. Laurent<br />
where the drain machine was purchased, is a traffic stopper when on the job.<br />
from emptying and damaging the<br />
pump, traffic cones and a flashing yellow<br />
light for street parking and canisters<br />
for engine gasoline and anti freeze. The<br />
machine came with 250 feet of hose and<br />
a variety of nozzles. And unlike a homebrew<br />
unit, it was tested and came with a<br />
warranty.<br />
Two-man operation<br />
A trailer-mounted jetter is a two-man<br />
operation. It can be dismounted from<br />
the trailer hitch and moved around a<br />
site if access isn’t possible with the<br />
truck. Of course, the holding tank is<br />
filled after moving the unit into place.<br />
Twenty gallons of water weighs a lot.<br />
Decarie mounted a winch to the back<br />
of their cube van to lower the trailer<br />
into underground parking garages, etc.<br />
A backup camera on the truck allows<br />
the operator to keep an eye on the trailer,<br />
which isn’t easily visible through the<br />
mirrors.<br />
A trailer-mounted machine is a large<br />
investment that will pay for itself, provided<br />
that contractors advertise the new<br />
addition to their service. Establish the<br />
minimum charge for a call and build<br />
the invoice from there.<br />
In a flat-rate operation, a typical<br />
minimum charge for a smaller gas jetter<br />
with two men would be about $300.<br />
The charge-out for the trailer-mounted<br />
unit would be $400 to $500, depending<br />
on whether a camera is also used.<br />
Billable hours is what it is all about!<br />
Warren Law is a semi-retired manufacturer’s<br />
agent. He can be reached at<br />
law.w@sympatico.ca.<br />
Circle Number 131 for More Information<br />
Circle Number 132 for More Information<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca September/October 2004 – <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News 27
Ventilation<br />
Draft-vent products<br />
A four-page brochure describes the<br />
Tjernlund line of induced draft and<br />
combustion venting products, fans and<br />
controls, including power vent systems,<br />
vent hoods, ventilation and exhaust<br />
fans. Santek electronic air cleaners come<br />
in three models from 750 to 2,000 cfm,<br />
one with a recessed mounting and<br />
three-speed operation.<br />
CGF Products Circle no. 338<br />
Heat pumps<br />
KeepRite SoftSound 1200R 12-SEER<br />
heat pumps are designed to use R-410A<br />
refrigerant. Features include a thicker<br />
fin coil, enhanced wire coil guard, copper<br />
tubing and aluminum fins, control<br />
panel cover<br />
for easy access<br />
to ports<br />
and connections<br />
without<br />
removal,<br />
fan motor<br />
enclosure,<br />
and a compressor<br />
sound jacket. There is a 10 year<br />
warranty on the compressor.<br />
International Comfort Prod. Circle no. 339<br />
Air purifier<br />
The Bio-Wall Quattro residential ultraviolet<br />
air purifier treats the entire volume<br />
of air flowing over it in one pass. It<br />
utilizes the UV Bio-<br />
Wall commercial<br />
technology of 2002,<br />
which destroys up<br />
to 99.9% of contaminants.<br />
Features<br />
include four 18-<br />
inch high intensity<br />
pure fused quartz<br />
UVC and UVV<br />
germicidal lamps<br />
attached to four anodized aluminum<br />
parabolic reflectors. Mounted parallel<br />
to the air stream, these create a germicidal<br />
radiating wall up to 24 inches.<br />
Sanuvox Technologies Circle no. 340<br />
Commercial ERVs<br />
The RenewAire HE Series commercial<br />
energy recovery ventilators now feature<br />
pull-through blowers. MERV 8-rated<br />
filters protect the<br />
ERV core and<br />
blowers. Other<br />
features include<br />
improved internal<br />
aerodynamic<br />
design and airflow,<br />
easy access<br />
split doors, upgraded<br />
collar<br />
design with flex duct retention rib and<br />
an internal electrical box for second<br />
contactor or 24 volt AC transformer.<br />
HE1X models now offer a 277 volt single<br />
phase option.<br />
Mitsubishi Electric Circle no. 341<br />
Basic humidification<br />
The HRAI Basic Humidification Manual<br />
(SD-F5) covers primary physical<br />
laws relating to moisture in air, identification<br />
of humidifier types, how to calculate<br />
the size of a required unit, and<br />
the proper application of these systems.<br />
Also included is a 28-page guide and<br />
tests on individual units.<br />
HRAI SkillTech Circle no. 342<br />
Heat pumps<br />
Frigidaire offers single packaged heat<br />
pump units with a 13+ SEER rating for<br />
slab or roof applications. Features include<br />
an ECM variable speed motor with<br />
galvanized steel cabinet, quiet operation,<br />
improved air quality, eight-year parts<br />
warranty and five year quality pledge.<br />
Nordyne, Frigidaire Div. Circle no. 343<br />
UV emitters<br />
An eight-page catalogue describes the<br />
Steril-Aire range of eight models of UVC<br />
emitters, kits and accessories. These<br />
devices use the germicidal ultraviolet-C<br />
wavelength energy to kill contaminant<br />
This fall, receive a FREE pair of<br />
deluxe hiking boots from Weil-McLain.<br />
cells – surface and airborne – so they<br />
don’t multiply. The SE Series commercial<br />
model shown is available in six lengths to<br />
42-in. and four voltages.<br />
Steril-Aire Inc. Circle no. 344<br />
From September 15, 2004 to November 30, 2004 (or while supplies last), you can get a free pair<br />
of hiking boots for every Weil-McLain boiler you buy.<br />
Suede leather, nylon trim with a PK Mesh lining, this Mid Cut Hiker will keep you in comfort.<br />
Professional quality you expect from the industry leader... Weil-McLain.<br />
Air filters<br />
The V-bank Durafil pleat-in-pleat glass<br />
media air filters feature an enclosure<br />
frame and media pack supports of high<br />
impact plastic<br />
and replacement<br />
box-type<br />
So Take a Hike and go anywhere<br />
filters. These<br />
with Weil-McLain boilers.<br />
ASHRAErated<br />
products<br />
Pick up redemption forms from<br />
are offered in<br />
four efficiency ratings: MERV 11, 13, 14<br />
your authorized Weil-McLain<br />
and the 16 model with a 99% efficiency<br />
wholesale distributor.<br />
rating using a 95% DOP-rated media<br />
with a rated initial resistance to airflow<br />
of 0.80-in. w.g. at 2000 cfm.<br />
Camfil-Farr Circle no. 345<br />
Circle Number 133 for More Information<br />
28 <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News – September/October 2004 www.plumbingandhvac.ca
Controls<br />
Boiler control<br />
The MP2 Sequencer automated control<br />
system maximizes the performance of<br />
Lochinvar Copper-Fin, Copper-Fin II<br />
and Efficiency+ boilers. MP2 provides<br />
up to nine on-off stages based on outdoor<br />
temperature<br />
with a set<br />
point or an<br />
external input<br />
signal.<br />
This prevents<br />
overshoot<br />
and droop, monitors thermal<br />
mass and ensures equal-run rotation.<br />
Lochinvar Corp. Circle no. 346<br />
Three-zone controller<br />
Talon Predator controllers, integral<br />
components of the open protocol<br />
LonMark certified <strong>HVAC</strong> control system,<br />
feature<br />
six-inputs,<br />
eight digital<br />
outputs and a<br />
three-analog<br />
output platform<br />
for three<br />
room sensors<br />
with override<br />
and setpoint adjustment, individual or<br />
averaged sensing, I/O point expansion<br />
and 4 PID loops.<br />
Siemens Building Tech. Circle no. 347<br />
include scheduling for multiple days,<br />
real-time clock, remove stat to program,<br />
multiple HOLD options, change reminders<br />
for air filter or humidifier pad or<br />
batteries, programmable fan and an<br />
outdoor temperature indicator.<br />
Honeywell Ltd. Circle no. 348<br />
Hydronic controls<br />
The SystemPro 311 provides control<br />
over boiler reset, DHW priority, hightemperature<br />
control of baseboard or air<br />
handlers, mixed-temperature control of<br />
radiant floor heating, and semi-automatic<br />
snowmelt control. It can also<br />
control a variable speed injection pump<br />
or floating action mixing valve with<br />
outdoor reset and compatible with<br />
proMix controls.<br />
Wirsbo Div. Uponor. Circle no. 349<br />
AC drives<br />
Johnson Controls will offer Eaton variable<br />
speed AC drive technologies to the<br />
<strong>HVAC</strong> and pump industries. Johnson<br />
VS Series drives are designed for<br />
<strong>HVAC</strong>, pump and fluid control<br />
applications.<br />
Johnson Controls Circle no. 350<br />
Drive motor control<br />
The ACS50 small-horsepower motor<br />
control can be used to replace contactors,<br />
soft starters, n-speed motors, triacs<br />
and step transformers. Units are from<br />
.25 to 1-hp as a small component drive<br />
for fans, pumps and other applications.<br />
ABB Automation Tech. Circle no. 351<br />
B R A D F O R D W H I T E ®<br />
Programmable thermostat<br />
The VisionPRO 8000 Series of home<br />
thermostats has an easy-to-use menudriven<br />
touch screen interface. Features<br />
one<br />
the AERO<br />
Oil-Fired Series ®<br />
PowerfulFamily<br />
• TSSA Update Workshop<br />
• ODP Renewal<br />
/<br />
The rugged dependability of Bradford<br />
incorporates the innovative features that are<br />
White water heaters has expanded to ten oil-<br />
important to both you and your customers.<br />
fired models. The comfort, warmth and<br />
With Bradford White’s Aero-Series comes<br />
unsurpassed performance you expect from<br />
the Hydrojet System ® . It reduces sediment<br />
an oil-fired water heater is now available<br />
inside the tank. You’ll also get Vitraglas ® ,<br />
from Bradford White in center, rear and multi-<br />
a superior glass lining for long tank life, dual<br />
flue configurations.<br />
immersion aquastats for precise temperature<br />
Whether it’s the 30-gallon residential or the<br />
regulation, a flexible stainless steel baffle on<br />
100-gallon commercial, every water heater<br />
residential center flue models and a ceramic<br />
P R O D U C T S O N L Y F O R P R O F E S S I O N A L S<br />
©2004, Bradford White Corporation. All rights reserved.<br />
fiber combustion chamber that concentrates<br />
the flame for a hotter fire and maximum<br />
heat transfer.Every model is designed for<br />
quick and easy installation. When you choose<br />
the Aero-Series, you’re choosing the enduring<br />
quality that signifies products bearing the<br />
Bradford White name.<br />
Mississauga, ON<br />
www.bradfordwhite.com<br />
866-690-0961<br />
www.bradfordwhitecanada.com<br />
the School of Applied Technology at Humber College<br />
Circle Number 134 for More Info<br />
Circle Number 135 for More Information<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca September/October 2004 – <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News 29
Trucks for the Trade<br />
Clean power<br />
The benefits and drawbacks of<br />
natural gas-powered service vehicles<br />
By Simon Blake<br />
There was a time when any worker<br />
assigned to one of the natural gaspowered<br />
vehicles in SaskEnergy’s<br />
fleet would cry the blues about “getting<br />
stuck with this dog.”<br />
But the technology has changed and<br />
so has the attitude, reports Doug Hird,<br />
senior engineer, marketing and sales.<br />
Two major things have brought that<br />
about:<br />
First, manufacturers started producing<br />
natural gas powered vehicles (NGV)<br />
that performed substantially better than<br />
converted vehicles.<br />
Secondly, computerized fuel systems<br />
along with the onboard OBT II diagnostics<br />
systems in newer vehicles forced<br />
conversion equipment manufacturers<br />
to improve their product or leave the<br />
business.<br />
Conversions approved by the U.S.<br />
Environmental Protection Agency<br />
(EPA) or the California Air Resources<br />
Board (CARB) are designed to maximize<br />
fuel efficiency without compromising<br />
vehicle reliability or operation.<br />
The equipment<br />
Natural gas is carried in pressure cylinders.<br />
Stainless steel lines carry the fuel<br />
to a regulator that reduces pressure<br />
from 3000 psi to 100 psi. The fuel then<br />
goes through a fuel/air mixer and into<br />
the intake manifold. (In today’s systems,<br />
the fuel is injected into the engine<br />
through natural gas fuel injectors that<br />
are controlled by a stand alone onboard<br />
computer). A switch, mounted to the<br />
dashboard or steering column, allows<br />
the driver to switch between fuels while<br />
driving.<br />
Cylinder location can be a problem.<br />
Typically, on a van, one cylinder would<br />
go inside and one underneath. On a<br />
pickup two cylinders are usually stacked<br />
behind the cab.<br />
Each standard cylinder carries the<br />
equivalent of 17 litres (4 gallons) of<br />
gasoline. In theory, one would need<br />
four cylinders to give an equivalent<br />
range to a tank of gas. But that’s not<br />
practical.<br />
“The other issue if you are in the<br />
plumbing and heating trade is to keep a<br />
very close eye on your GVW (gross<br />
vehicle weight), remarked Hird. Each<br />
standard cylinder weighs 160 lbs.<br />
(Lighter cylinders are available at additional<br />
cost.)<br />
A typical van installation places one<br />
cylinder in the back and the other<br />
underneath.<br />
Performance<br />
Those who spoke to P&<strong>HVAC</strong> reported<br />
little detectable difference in the driving<br />
characteristics.<br />
Natural gas has a higher octane rating<br />
than pump gasoline (130 octane versus<br />
87 for regular pump gas). Dedicated<br />
vehicles with natural gas optimized<br />
engines perform substantially better<br />
than their gasoline-powered counterparts.<br />
The higher octane rating allows a<br />
significantly higher compression ratio.<br />
Converted and bi-fuel engines tend<br />
to lose power on the top end when<br />
operating on natural gas, notes Hird.<br />
Fuel mileage is virtually the same with<br />
natural gas or gasoline, according to an<br />
EPA study. It compared the amount of<br />
natural gas required to create the same<br />
energy as a litre of gasoline. Any savings<br />
must come in the cost of the fuel.<br />
Current natural gas prices – using the<br />
EPA gasoline/litre equivalent – work<br />
out to about 56 cents per litre.<br />
Refueling<br />
Easy access to refueling is key. Natural<br />
gas refueling facilities are usually<br />
attached to service stations in larger<br />
centers like Toronto, Vancouver and the<br />
Calgary/Edmonton corridor. Sask<br />
Energy has card lock facilities in Regina,<br />
Saskatoon and several smaller centers.<br />
One fleet owner recently saw his local<br />
station close and is looking at installing<br />
December 17, 1903, the<br />
Wright Brothers soar<br />
into history with the<br />
first powered flight.<br />
Already in business for<br />
283 years, by 1903<br />
Wirsbo was producing<br />
steel pipe. Today Wirsbo<br />
continues to pioneer<br />
new technologies with<br />
the manufacturing of<br />
PEX tubing for<br />
plumbing and radiant<br />
floor heating systems.<br />
Visit us at www.wirsbo.ca for more information, or call 1-888-994-7726<br />
Rich Dekker operates a fleet of natural gas service vehicles in St. Catharines, Ont.<br />
a refueling station at his shop. PVS<br />
Contractors of St. Catharines, Ont.<br />
operates a fleet of 40 bi-fuel vehicles –<br />
GM Astro/Safari vans and 3/4-ton pickups,<br />
reports Rich Dekker, president.<br />
One of the biggest problems in operating<br />
with natural gas over the past 10-<br />
15 years has been the failure to expand<br />
the refueling infrastructure, he added.<br />
Maintenance<br />
Dekker’s bi-fuel vehicles tend to require<br />
a little more maintenance, although<br />
there is no particular component that<br />
causes problems. He added that access to<br />
a competent repair shop with experience<br />
on natural gas vehicles is key in successful<br />
NGV fleet operation. This is typically<br />
the shop that does the conversion.<br />
Natural gas burns cleaner than gasoline<br />
and this often prompts owners to<br />
put off oil changes. Typically the oil<br />
coming out looks the same as the oil<br />
going in.<br />
The Saskatchewan Research Council<br />
looked into this, taking oil samples<br />
from natural gas and gasoline powered<br />
vehicles before every oil change for two<br />
years.<br />
However, because the natural gas<br />
vehicles were bi-fuel and because<br />
Saskatchewan has a dusty climate with<br />
large temperature swings, the SRC recommended<br />
no change to oil change<br />
intervals. Among other things, this also<br />
avoids warranty issues.<br />
Industry support<br />
The Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle<br />
Alliance consists of about 30<br />
members including manufacturers<br />
of natural gas conversion equipment,<br />
infrastructure providers, gas<br />
utilities, etc. For more information<br />
contact John Finch at (416) 961-<br />
2339 or visit www.ngvcanada.org.<br />
Other useful web sites include<br />
NRCan at www.fleetsmart.gc.ca<br />
and the Enbridge Gas Ontario site<br />
at www.ngvontario.com.<br />
Circle Number 136 for More Information<br />
30 <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News – September/October 2004 www.plumbingandhvac.ca
Trucks for the Trade<br />
The economics<br />
Natural gas vehicles have drawn the<br />
attention of Natural Resources Canada<br />
(NRCan) and other agencies responsible<br />
for protecting the environment<br />
because NGVs produce 20-25 per cent<br />
less CO2 than gasoline vehicles. A significant<br />
number of NGVs would reduce<br />
smog in major cities.<br />
However, making the economics<br />
work for the typical plumbing and<br />
<strong>HVAC</strong>R contractor is another matter.<br />
“You have to be burning a lot of fuel to<br />
make it pay for itself,” notes Hird.<br />
High natural gas prices along with<br />
the cost of the conversion (or the premium<br />
for an OEM bi-fuel vehicle) don’t<br />
help. Quality natural gas conversions<br />
typically run from $5-6,000 per vehicle.<br />
However, various rebates can reduce<br />
the cost. Several gas utilities offer assistance.<br />
Some provincial governments are<br />
also offering incentives. Ontario contractors<br />
are eligible for a $1,000 sales tax<br />
rebate on a NGV, for example.<br />
NRCan is currently running a pilot<br />
program that offers $3,000 towards the<br />
purchase of an OEM natural gas or bifuel<br />
vehicle. However, the NGV industry<br />
is urging NRCan to extend this to<br />
include conversions.<br />
NRCan is looking at the proposal,<br />
reports Bob Smith, chief of the fleet vehicle<br />
program, Office of Energy Efficiency<br />
(OEE). It would start as a pilot project<br />
paying up to $3,000 for a conversion<br />
with EPA or CARB certified kits.<br />
“It’s a business decision. I need to get<br />
bang for my buck … What am I going<br />
to get in greenhouse gas reduction from<br />
this?” said Smith. He expects a decision<br />
early this fall.<br />
Under the hood, the regulator (left)<br />
reduces the fuel pressure to 100 psi<br />
before feeding it into a fuel/air mixer.<br />
Pork chop boxes<br />
These side boxes for pickups from<br />
Weather Guard are available in two sizes<br />
(2.1 cu. ft. and 3.4 cu. ft.) Features include<br />
automotive style locks and latches,<br />
automotive<br />
weather<br />
stripping<br />
and aluminum<br />
construction<br />
with clear or black powder<br />
coat finish. They can be mounted over<br />
the wheel (as shown) or in front of the<br />
wheel on most full-sized pickups.<br />
Knaack Mfg. Co. Circle no. 352<br />
Steel toolbox option<br />
A.R.E. has introduced a built-in steel<br />
toolbox option for its CX, MX and M-<br />
Pulse CH fiberglass truck caps. Each<br />
box has a 120 lb. carrying capacity. The<br />
company is<br />
offering the<br />
toolboxes<br />
as part of a<br />
contractors<br />
package<br />
that also<br />
includes a roof rack along with painted<br />
aluminum side and end doors.<br />
A.R.E. Inc. Circle no. 353<br />
Winter grip<br />
The Destination M/T light truck tire<br />
from Firestone is designed to get the<br />
technician safely to those no heat/frozen<br />
pipe calls in the middle of a snowstorm.<br />
Deep skid lugs, ‘over-the-shoulder’ tread<br />
lug design<br />
and threebody<br />
ply<br />
construction<br />
offer<br />
superior<br />
wet weather performance and extra grip<br />
in winter conditions.<br />
Firestone Circle no. 354<br />
Pickup box protector<br />
The BedRug pickup box liner for the redesigned<br />
2004 Ford F-150 features a<br />
non-skid polypropylene fiber surface<br />
that looks and feels like carpet, but is<br />
entirely<br />
plastic and<br />
unaffected<br />
by water,<br />
dirt, grease<br />
and chemicals.<br />
A custom-molded foam bottom conforms<br />
to the truck bed ribs. It installs in<br />
one hour using hook and loop fasteners.<br />
Wise Industries Circle no. 355<br />
THIS IS NO LONGER<br />
A TWO DAY WAIT.<br />
IT’S A TWO MINUTE JOB<br />
RIGHT NOW.<br />
Wireless Solutions for your Field Service Team<br />
Improve the operational productivity of your service team with a Rogers Wireless<br />
solution. A wireless solution gets real-time customer and job related information<br />
to your field workers sooner. This can help them process work orders and update<br />
accounts from the field – reducing paperwork and increasing customer<br />
satisfaction. Our promise? We’ll bring all the required parties to the table<br />
and implement a Wireless Field Service Solution that fits your business best.<br />
Visit rogers.com/enterprise to learn more about how the power of the<br />
Rogers Wireless network can help you to wirelessly extend your business.<br />
Canada’s Largest Integrated Wireless Voice and Data Network<br />
Circle Number 137 for More Information<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca September/October 2004 – <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News 31
Refrigeration<br />
Chiller in control<br />
By John Carr<br />
Controls have always<br />
fascinated<br />
me. Today’s controls<br />
and control systems<br />
make effective<br />
use of microprocessors,<br />
transducers and<br />
thermistors.<br />
My attention was riveted listening to<br />
Don Blacklock explain the operation of<br />
the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology’s<br />
(SAIT) newest air conditioning<br />
chiller. Don is a SAIT grad, a SAIT<br />
refrigeration instructor and former<br />
Carrier technician. He knows the inner<br />
workings of the Carrier Evergreen“<br />
19XR, High-Efficiency Hermetic<br />
Centrifugal Liquid Chiller.<br />
The 19XR is the newest chiller in the<br />
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology’s<br />
(SAIT) air conditioning system.<br />
Walking up to the 19XR was a bit<br />
overwhelming. I can imagine a technician<br />
facing one of these machines for the<br />
first time, in alarm, and trying to muster<br />
the courage to tackle the problems.<br />
The first step in any troubleshooting<br />
situation is to know how the system or<br />
machine works. The 19XR, high pressure<br />
chiller, charged with 2,290 Lbs.<br />
(1038 kgs) of refrigerant R-134a, has a<br />
refrigeration capacity of 1,300 Tons<br />
(4576 kW). The 4160 Volt, 3 Phase 60<br />
Hertz motor has a full running rate of<br />
3,000 rpm. The motor and compressor<br />
are connected through a transmission<br />
that turns the compressor at 12,000<br />
rpm. Capacity is mainly controlled by<br />
variable inlet guide vanes.<br />
The sophisticated control system has<br />
a long list of features, but the most<br />
notable fall into two groups:<br />
•<br />
System safety<br />
cutout controls<br />
Low oil pressure<br />
High oil temperature in the bearings<br />
• Refrigerant pressure too high or too<br />
low and compressor motor overload.<br />
(This system is very intelligent…it<br />
first unloads the compressor to let the<br />
pressures return to normal, if not, it<br />
shuts the compressor down)<br />
• Cooler and condenser water flow<br />
The new chiller plant at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. (Photos/graphics by John Carr)<br />
Compressor surge protection<br />
• The normal safeties such as high<br />
motor temperature, motor overload,<br />
intermittent power loss, starter faults,<br />
etc.<br />
Operating controls and<br />
system information<br />
• Entering and leaving water temperature.<br />
• Soft loading where the control system<br />
increases capacity as the inlet chiller<br />
water temperature rises.<br />
• Guide vane actuation where the inlet<br />
vanes on the compressor suction side<br />
open as the load increases.<br />
• The system must go through start up<br />
and shut down checks where lubrication<br />
and water flow conditions are<br />
constantly monitored.<br />
• System operating information is constantly<br />
available to the operator<br />
through a microprocessor to user<br />
interface.<br />
The 19XR maintains a chilled water<br />
delivery temperature of 44°F (6.7°C).<br />
See point Y in Figure 1. One major advantage<br />
of this chiller over the older<br />
Carrier chillers and the old York absorption<br />
chiller is the temperature difference<br />
(DT) between the leaving<br />
chilled water temperature and the evaporator<br />
temperature. The 44°F (6.7°C)<br />
outlet temperature is only 3°F (1.7°C)<br />
higher than the evaporator temperature<br />
because the evaporator is so efficient.<br />
On the older chillers the evaporator DT<br />
averages 10°F (5.6°C.<br />
The higher efficiency evaporator on<br />
the 19XR means the energy needed to<br />
operate the compressor per ton of<br />
refrigeration is lower than in the older<br />
technology. Another advantage of this<br />
greater efficiency is seen in the response<br />
time to load changes. Response time is<br />
one major reason the 19XR is the primary<br />
chiller in the SAIT loop.<br />
The main <strong>HVAC</strong> control system is<br />
managed by a Johnson Controls Inc.<br />
Metasys Building Management System.<br />
The Metasys system manages temperature<br />
throughout the SAIT complex.<br />
During the cooling season, Metasys tells<br />
the primary pump to start, checking for<br />
flow conditions at points A and B in<br />
Figure 1.<br />
When the temperature at point C<br />
rises to the set point a signal is sent to<br />
the 19XR to start cooling. The chiller<br />
draws water from the main SAIT cooling<br />
water supply, drops the temperature<br />
3°F (1.7°C), then discharges the cooler<br />
water back into the main water loop.<br />
This system is rather slow since only a<br />
small portion of the main water supply<br />
is cooled each pass through.<br />
To compensate for extremely high<br />
outdoor temperatures, Metasys uses<br />
outdoor sensors as part of an anticipation<br />
process to start the chiller much<br />
earlier in the day, so it can meet the<br />
needs of hot afternoon demands. If the<br />
19XR cannot handle the load alone, the<br />
two older Carrier 19C chillers are<br />
brought on line.<br />
Maintaining life expectancy for the<br />
19XR is a major part of its control function.<br />
As noted earlier, the control system<br />
monitors oil pressure and electrical<br />
conditions to keep the unit on line and<br />
available when necessary. Point X in<br />
Figure 1 is the location of the main controller.<br />
It assesses all conditions and<br />
determines if the chiller should run and<br />
at what percentage of full capacity.<br />
www.wattsdrainage.ca<br />
INTRODUCING the NEW WD SERIES GREASE INTERCEPTORS...<br />
COMPETITIVE, COMPACT, AND UNPARALLELED FLEXIBILITY<br />
Flow Rates from 4 to 75 GPM<br />
Grease Capacity from 8 to 150 LBS<br />
Bolt-on Extensions available in two<br />
configurations for flexibility<br />
WATTS INDUSTRIES (CANADA) INC.<br />
TEL: 1-888-208-8927 FAX: 1-888-479-2887<br />
Other Commerical Drainage<br />
Products Available. Contact Us Today.<br />
Figure 1: Carrier and Johnson<br />
MADE IN<br />
Floor Drains Parking Area Drains Trench Drains Roof Drains Special Purpose Drains Drain Pro CANADA Controls control systems operate part<br />
Floor Sinks Grease Interceptors Oil Interceptors Solids Interceptors Hydrants Fixture Carriers Cleanouts<br />
of the SAIT chilled water system.<br />
Circle Number 138 for More Information<br />
32 <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News – September/October 2004 www.plumbingandhvac.ca
Refrigeration<br />
TX valve<br />
The Sporlan Valve Type RC thermostatic<br />
expansion valve replaces types BI,<br />
BBI, CBI and CBBI models for R-22 and<br />
R-410A refrigerants. It features internal<br />
check valves to allow reverse flow on<br />
heat pump applications and eliminates<br />
an external check valve pipe around the<br />
TX valve. Nominal capacity ranges are<br />
from 2 to 6 tons.<br />
Sporlan Valve Co. Circle no. 356<br />
sized from 2 to 31 tons. They feature<br />
hinged fan housings, aluminum or<br />
stainless steel drain pans with large<br />
drain connection, direct drive fans, with<br />
configurations for refrigerant type and<br />
feed, tube/fin material types and wiring<br />
for specific industrial applications.<br />
Baltimore Air Coil Circle no. 359<br />
Advanced compressors<br />
The Bristol Benchmark is a new generation<br />
in reciprocating and scroll compressor<br />
technologies designed specifically<br />
for higher capacity, high temperature<br />
systems, heat pumps and air conditioning.<br />
It is very quiet. A three-ton<br />
reciprocating condensing unit was tested<br />
at 1.5 dBa<br />
quieter unit (at<br />
77.1 dBa) than<br />
scroll units.<br />
The Benchmark<br />
scroll has<br />
39 parts (versus<br />
59) with<br />
press-fit<br />
assembly, fewer<br />
hermetic welds<br />
and no bolts,<br />
lower height.<br />
Both types<br />
meet 12+ SEER ratings (19+ EER at<br />
45/100) and feature a patented suction<br />
muffler on the reciprocating unit and<br />
check valve on the scroll.<br />
Bristol Compressor Circle no. 360<br />
Refrigerant piping handbook<br />
The 150-page RSES Refrigerant Piping<br />
Handbook from RSES is available in<br />
CD format, for Windows 98 (and<br />
newer) and PDF Adobe Reader formats.<br />
It includes printable nomographs, for<br />
units up to 50 tons, -50ºF to +50ºF SST,<br />
up to 150-ft. splits, covers 16 refrigerants,<br />
for discharge, liquid condensate,<br />
liquid, suction, hot gas bypass and hot<br />
gas defrost lines. It includes quick pick<br />
refrigerant tables, best practices, engineering<br />
data, and piping procedures.<br />
RSES Int’l. Circle no. 361<br />
Someone Put a Cap on R-22?<br />
Insulation kits<br />
Alfa Laval is offering pre-cut, pre-glued<br />
closed-cell synthetic rubber refrigeration<br />
insulation that will prevent condensation<br />
and minimize energy losses.<br />
It is custom made to fit selected models<br />
of refrigeration brazed heat exchangers,<br />
in kits for 3/8 and 3/4 inch (10 mm and<br />
20 mm) thickness.<br />
Alfa Laval Inc. Circle no. 357<br />
Portable service purge<br />
The Model PSP-HP-1 portable service<br />
high pressure refrigerant purger offers a<br />
quick way to get an air-logged chiller<br />
back on-line. It can purge down a<br />
chiller in an hour, reports the manufacturer.<br />
It is compact, weighs 60-lbs. and<br />
is field serviceable. The one-piece unit is<br />
designed for R-12, R22, R-134a and<br />
other refrigerants.<br />
Redi/Controls Inc. Circle no. 358<br />
Evaporators<br />
AS Series Aircoil evaporators by BAC<br />
for small-medium applications are<br />
Beginning January 2004, Environment Canada will implement a “cap” on the amount of HCFC<br />
that can be either manufactured or imported in Canada. Yet the demand for R-22 could continue<br />
to increase due to higher residential SEER requirements.<br />
If you service, manage, or specify air-conditioning systems we invite you to learn more about the<br />
quiet operation and outstanding reliability of systems charged with R-410A... because you can teach<br />
an old dog a new trick.<br />
St. Lawrence Chemical<br />
Exclusive distributor of Genetron refrigerants in Canada<br />
Ontario and <strong>West</strong>ern Canada Tel: (416) 243-9615 Fax: (416) 243-9731<br />
Quebec and the Maritime Provinces Tel: (514) 457-3628 Fax: (514) 457-9773<br />
Find us at genetron.com<br />
Circle Number 139 for More Information
Tools & Instruments<br />
Gas-fired fastener<br />
The Short-Track C3 ST, a gas-fired fastener,<br />
holds a 20-pin magazine for lowvolume<br />
fastening jobs. An easy-latched<br />
nose opening allows access to the pin<br />
track. Pre-assembled Stick-E accessories<br />
(lathing and sheet metal strap washers,<br />
conduit pipe clip, mini conduit and<br />
threaded rod hangers, rebar clip, cable<br />
tie disc, bridal ring, insulation and SS<br />
sealing washer) are manually placed in<br />
the nose.<br />
Powers Fasteners Inc. Circle no. 362<br />
Cordless drills<br />
The X2 Series of Ridgid 1/2-inch cordless<br />
drills feature 12, 14.4 and 18-volt<br />
models, two-speed transmission, 24-<br />
position clutch, torque from 365 to 485<br />
inch-pounds at 0-1600 rpm. Standard<br />
are two Max HC battery packs (fancooled)<br />
and a Rapid Max Twin dualport<br />
charger (charges two packs at once<br />
in 30-minutes), a single-sleeve locking<br />
chuck with carbide jaws and an auto<br />
spindle lock for fast bit changes.<br />
Ridge Tool Co. Circle no. 363<br />
Lubricants<br />
Mueller offers three lubricants designed<br />
for use with the company’s Gruvlok<br />
couplings and other o-ring sealed<br />
mechanical piping systems. There are<br />
three grades: Xtreme, Quick Dry and<br />
standard. Xtreme has temperature<br />
ranges from –65 to 400°F, it is waterproof,<br />
and is designed for use with<br />
EPDM, Nitrile and fluoroelastomer gasket<br />
materials, but not silicone gaskets, in<br />
copper systems.<br />
Mueller Flow Control Circle no. 364<br />
Hand torches<br />
The Model LT92 is one of six hand and<br />
360-degree swivel torches from Lenox<br />
featuring a high targeted heat output<br />
through swirl, adjustable ultra swirl and<br />
large diameter flames for faster soldering<br />
or brazing. It is designed for MAPP<br />
PEOPLE AS RELIABLE AS<br />
THE PRODUCTS WE MAKE<br />
At Leonard Valve, our people are as reliable as the<br />
products we make. It has to be that way<br />
because we’ve been a family-owned<br />
business since 1913.<br />
We offer complete on-line sizing<br />
software for all our products<br />
and our engineers provide onphone,<br />
on-line and on-site technical<br />
support, 24/7, worldwide.<br />
Our manufacturing employees<br />
have earned a reputation industry<br />
wide for their craftsmanship and<br />
quality control.<br />
Our sales staff and reps work<br />
hard every day to ensure that customers have the right products, at the<br />
right place, at the right time, and at the right price.<br />
At Leonard Valve, reliability is the bottom line. You have the Wilcox family<br />
word on it.<br />
1360 Elmwood Avenue, Cranston, RI 02910, 888-797-4456, Fax 401-941-5310<br />
www.leonardvalve.com info@leonardvalve.com<br />
Circle Number 140 for More Information<br />
23 - 428 Millen Road, Stoney Creek, Ontario L8E 3N9<br />
Phone: (905) 664-8274 • Toll Free: 1-800-527-HEAT (4328) • Fax: (905) 664-8846<br />
www.superiorradiant.com sales@superiorradiant.com<br />
Product Profile<br />
Solderless copper<br />
bonding system<br />
A new method of joining copper tubing<br />
can be used where soldering or mechanical<br />
joining systems would normally be<br />
used.<br />
Just-For-Copper is – for lack of a<br />
better word – a ‘glue’ that is designed<br />
for joining potable water and gas piping<br />
copper systems. It is an anaerobic polymer<br />
that generates a chemical reaction<br />
with copper and can even cold weld<br />
slightly damp copper pipe. It has a temperature<br />
rating from –40 to +120ºC<br />
(–40 to 240ºF). It starts to set within 10 seconds and will hold 200 psi after<br />
seven minutes curing time.<br />
It is rated for 500 psi, (but has been tested to 1000+ psi, reports the<br />
distributor). It will not start to set until inserted in a treated copper connector<br />
or fitting. A mechanical pressure of 380 psi is required to break the bond<br />
under ASTM D4541. It cannot be used on threaded connectors.<br />
It is non-toxic, tasteless, odourless and non-flammable and has been in<br />
use since 1998.<br />
Jackson Industries Inc. Circle no. 367<br />
and propane fuel and features rugged<br />
cast aluminum construction, self-igniting<br />
trigger start and lock buttons.<br />
Lenox Circle no. 365<br />
Scratch awl<br />
Midwest Tool offers a scratch awl marker<br />
for marking and scribing metal and<br />
other materials to be cut that can be<br />
stored in<br />
the handle<br />
grips of<br />
Midwest<br />
aviation<br />
snips. The<br />
awl can do<br />
hole punching<br />
by<br />
striking it on the handle-less striking<br />
end. It is made of 8630 tool steel and is<br />
3.5-in. long.<br />
Midwest Tool Circle no. 366<br />
A full range of infrared space heating equipment<br />
Model RE (for workshops, residential garages)<br />
• rates from 30 and 45 MBTUH<br />
• balanced flue construction<br />
• 85% thermal efficiency<br />
• fully assembled for installation ease<br />
Model Premier VS (engineered performance)<br />
• a vacuum operated burner-in-series system that is<br />
engineered for the customer’s specific requirements<br />
• burner rates 60 to 250 MBTUH<br />
with multiple branch capability<br />
• system outputs to one million BTUH<br />
• state of the art electronic control panel<br />
SUPERIOR RADIANT PRODUCTS<br />
Model UA (workhorse of the line up)<br />
• rates from 40 to 220 MBTUH<br />
• jet stream burner design maximizes<br />
radiant output<br />
• deep dish reflectors are 100% efficient<br />
• warranty: 3 yr. on parts, 5 yr. on heat exchanger.<br />
Model UX (more features, more<br />
performance)<br />
• fully enclosed construction<br />
• operating status lights<br />
• standard 24v thermostat<br />
• post purge function<br />
• 10 yr. heat exchanger<br />
warranty option<br />
Just-for-copper offers a solderless<br />
way to join copper and brass tubing.<br />
Spot welders<br />
PEI Spotwelders from Empire Machinery<br />
are new to North America. They feature<br />
rugged steel frames, air and footoperated<br />
models,<br />
safety thermostats,<br />
watercooled<br />
transformers,<br />
arms and tip<br />
holders and digital<br />
welding control.<br />
Model<br />
25KVA with 24-<br />
inch arms will<br />
weld two pieces of<br />
16-gauge galvanized<br />
steel.<br />
Empire Machinery & Tools Circle no. 368<br />
Hand tools<br />
The Channellock Models 420/440 pliers<br />
feature right-angled<br />
teeth, non-slip<br />
jaw with undercut<br />
tongue-groove design,<br />
PermaLock<br />
fastener, patented<br />
reinforcing edge,<br />
and Blue comfort<br />
grips. Available as<br />
TG-1 gift set.<br />
Channellock, Inc. Circle no. 369<br />
Accurate pipe measurement<br />
Pi Tape precision diameter measurement<br />
tapes offer a simple and accurate<br />
way to measure pipes or cylinders. They<br />
are available in inches, read up to a<br />
diameter of .001 inches with an accuracy<br />
of +/- .001-in. up to 144 in., or<br />
in millmetres, and read up to .01 mm<br />
diameter with an accuracy of +/-<br />
.03mm up<br />
to 3600<br />
mm. Both<br />
inside and<br />
outside<br />
diameter<br />
measuring tapes, go/no-go, linear and<br />
O-ring tapes are available.<br />
Pi Tape Corp. Circle no. 370<br />
Circle Number 141 for More Information<br />
34 <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News – September/October 2004 www.plumbingandhvac.ca
E-Business<br />
Tech A/C training CD<br />
RSES has released a new training CD.<br />
The Residential Split-System Cooling:<br />
Mechanical Refrigeration Troubleshooting<br />
R-22/R-410A CD starts with<br />
an introduction to refrigerants and finishes<br />
by troubleshooting R-22 and R-<br />
410A refrigeration circuit problems.<br />
This is one of four RSES CD courses.<br />
RSES International Circle no. 371<br />
Solvent cements online<br />
A course on solvent cementing for plastic<br />
tubing is now online at www.ipexinc.com.<br />
It features Martha, an animated guide,<br />
explaiing the principles of solvent cementing,<br />
selection of materials, and how to<br />
produce strong joints. The course is<br />
user-friendly, interactive and educational<br />
covering procedures, safety, handling<br />
and storage, with pop quizzes, and takes<br />
30 minutes. It is open to registered IPEX<br />
E-card users and requires IPEX’s solvent<br />
cementing guide and catalogue, both<br />
available online. A certificate is issued to<br />
those passing the final test.<br />
IPEX Inc. Circle no. 372<br />
The user can insert their own images<br />
and custom-formatted data fields.<br />
Primary and specific programs cover<br />
job costing, project management and<br />
documentation, change orders, estimating,<br />
tool and equipment management,<br />
subcontract, service call and maintenance<br />
management, home builder and<br />
property management, and many others.<br />
Demo CD available.<br />
Maestro Technologies Inc. Circle no. 375<br />
Codes, licences, training<br />
The Technical Standards & Safety Authority<br />
of Ontario website, www.tssa.org,<br />
now allows users to update their<br />
member profiles, download fuel safety<br />
newsletters, search for TSSA Boiler &<br />
Pressure Vessel certificate holders,<br />
review piping/repair and alteration<br />
certificate programs, review licenses<br />
and certificate requirements and fees,<br />
compliance programs, safety legislation,<br />
and training course schedules.<br />
TSSA-Ontario Circle no. 376<br />
Interactive room design<br />
The Frequency Design Centre on<br />
Bradley’s website is an interactive tool<br />
to assist users in designing virtual restrooms<br />
with the Frequency lavatory<br />
system with 10 room colours and<br />
themes, one-two-three-station models<br />
for up to six handwashing stations,<br />
using 18 Terreon sold surface colours,<br />
trap cover colours plus accessories. It is<br />
also available on CD-ROM.<br />
Bradley Corp. Circle no. 377<br />
E-learning website<br />
The Knowledge Exchange is Armstrong’s<br />
e-learning platform to earn professional<br />
development hours or continuing education<br />
units with quarterly certificates for<br />
systems and controls theory, product<br />
range-features-application-function, installation-parts-service-troubleshooting,<br />
application basics-selecting-sizing-tools,<br />
codes and other information.<br />
S.A. Armstrong Ltd. Circle no. 378<br />
Radiant loop drawing<br />
Version 1.4 of the LoopCad automated<br />
loop drawing software for radiant heating<br />
systems is a major upgrading from<br />
version 1.3. It features an online tutorial<br />
with 20 detailed video lessons. It integrates<br />
with Intuit Master Builder files<br />
and includes support for SI/Metric<br />
units and AutoCAD DWG files.<br />
Avenir Software Circle no. 373<br />
Business Portal<br />
The WennSoft Business Portal now<br />
gives customers secure online access to<br />
all data in their Premier level WennSoft<br />
system. They can view multiple layers of<br />
information on a single screen: a full list<br />
of service calls, service call appointments<br />
scheduled for a customer, and<br />
tasks associated with that call. It’s part<br />
of the Service Management, Job Cost<br />
and Equipment Management software<br />
programs which tie dispatching, change<br />
orders, construction project management<br />
and asset management into the<br />
business’ financial reporting packages.<br />
WennSoft, Inc. Circle no. 374<br />
Outdoor Unit<br />
Indoor Unit<br />
Refrigerant Lines<br />
No duct work means faster, easier and more cost<br />
effective installation in areas with no or limited ducting.<br />
World Leading Technology<br />
Best Quality<br />
Quietest Operation In The Industry<br />
Higher CFM For Best Air Distribution<br />
Refrigerant Pre-charged<br />
Best Technical And Service Support<br />
Best Parts Availability In The Industry<br />
6 Year Compressor Warranty<br />
Electronic<br />
Environments<br />
9,000 to 24,000 BTU<br />
True Comfort<br />
&<br />
Peace Of Mind<br />
Our quality ductless split<br />
air-conditioners will give<br />
you and your customers<br />
the comfort and peace of<br />
mind that only Mitsubishi<br />
Electric can offer.<br />
Our technically competent<br />
distributor network,<br />
strong service support<br />
and unmatched service<br />
parts availability will give<br />
you and your customers<br />
the peace of mind that<br />
you deserve.<br />
After all, what good is a<br />
warranty if you can't back<br />
it up !<br />
Construction software<br />
Maestro of Quebec offers a wide range<br />
of financial, construction, distribution<br />
and manufacturing ERP programs<br />
designed to integrate with MS ‘Office’.<br />
Circle Number 142 for More Information<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca September/October 2004 – <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News 35
<strong>West</strong>ern Update<br />
B.C. eyes reduced<br />
energy use in homes<br />
The B.C. government has proposed<br />
an ambitous plan to reduce energy<br />
consumption in homes in an effort<br />
to reduce greenhouse gases and the<br />
growing need for more electrical generation<br />
capacity.<br />
The Energy Efficient Market Transformation<br />
Strategy for Residential Heating<br />
Devices would require an Energy Star<br />
rating for residential heating equipment<br />
by 2009. That is, residential natural gas<br />
furnaces (up to 225,000 Btuh) must be 90<br />
per cent AFUE rated or higher and use a<br />
variable speed DC motor. Residential oil,<br />
gas and propane boilers must have a rating<br />
of 85 per cent or higher. There is still<br />
some debate as to what AFUE rating oilfired<br />
furnaces can meet.<br />
“This is a four-step program that is in<br />
its early stages of consultation,” reported<br />
Andrew Pape-Salmon, P.Eng., senior<br />
policy advisor for the B.C. Ministry of<br />
Energy and Mines<br />
The program is designed to:<br />
1) Raise consumer and industry awareness<br />
of the options to reduce energy use.<br />
2) Encourage the industry to deliver<br />
high efficiency products.<br />
3) Increase market penetration of this<br />
equipment with incentives.<br />
4) Implement regulations to ensure<br />
a competitive marketplace, protect<br />
manufacturers, and reduce costs to all<br />
participants.<br />
The deadline for feedback from the<br />
industry has been extended into<br />
September. A further 75-day comment<br />
period “on all proposed energy performance<br />
standards” will follow the initial<br />
consultations, added Pape-Salmon.<br />
The draft suggests the plan could reduce<br />
energy use by $13.7 million in one year.<br />
HRAI outlines response<br />
Heating Refrigeration & Air Conditioning<br />
Institute of Canada (HRAI) officials<br />
met with Pape-Salmon June 1 and John<br />
Cockburn, chief of the buildings branch<br />
of Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa,<br />
to review the proposals. HRAI member<br />
manufacturers’ subsequent response to<br />
the B.C. proposals is to:<br />
• support the proposal for Energy Starrated<br />
(90%+ AFUE) residential gas<br />
furnaces in new construction<br />
•<br />
require both mid-efficient and<br />
Energy Star furnaces and boilers for<br />
the retrofit market<br />
•<br />
agree that residential boilers have a<br />
minimum 85% AFUE in new construction<br />
(but only if all producers<br />
have product)<br />
•<br />
support 2009 as the date for new furnace<br />
and boiler efficiency levels to be<br />
determined<br />
•<br />
adopt the 80 rating in the EnerGuide<br />
for Housing for new residential construction<br />
•<br />
support adoption of the National Building<br />
Code requirements for ventilation<br />
HVCI/RHWHA response<br />
The Heating Ventilating & Cooling Industry<br />
Association of B.C. (HVCI) and<br />
the Residential Hot Water Heating<br />
Association of B.C. (RHWHA) responded<br />
early, Nelle Maxey, manager for both<br />
groups, reported.<br />
“We reminded the Ministry that<br />
the effectiveness of any heating system<br />
depends on training and inspection<br />
which should be basic components<br />
of the program. We emphasized<br />
that all manufacturers were not and<br />
should be properly consulted as these<br />
proposals will have a major impact on<br />
the equipment they manufacture,”<br />
she said.<br />
“We urged that heat pumps and alternate<br />
energy heating systems, such as<br />
solar, be included. Our brief also pointed<br />
out that oil fired equipment are<br />
mainly at 80 per cent or lower and technically<br />
may not be able to meet the 85-<br />
plus efficiency proposed, not by 2009, at<br />
least,” she reported.<br />
The joint HVCI/RHWA brief suggested<br />
that General Electric’s ECM<br />
motors should not be the only variable<br />
speed motors specified. The brief said<br />
instantaneous hot water units “can be<br />
far more efficient than equipment at<br />
85%+ AFUE rating even though they<br />
operate at 80%.”<br />
Finally the brief suggested the Ministry<br />
“recognize its two training programs,<br />
the ‘RHWHA Hydronic System<br />
Design’, and the HVCI ‘Quality First<br />
Forced Air Guidelines’ as minimum<br />
training standards.”<br />
The Canadian Institute of <strong>Plumbing</strong><br />
& Heating was to issue its response by<br />
early September.<br />
A typical toilet can guzzle up to 20 litres of water in a single flush, but an ultra low-flush toilet makes do with 6 litres – which can really The residential program is part of an<br />
lower your water bill. In fact, an ultra low-flush toilet pays for itself in about a year. And as an added bonus, the City of Toronto will<br />
give you a $60 - $100 rebate on the purchase. So don’t get soaked by your toilet. Call 416-392-7000 or visit www.toronto.ca/water. ongoing review of the B.C. Energy Efficiency<br />
Act, which also includes standards<br />
for commercial heaters and boilers.<br />
Circle Number 143 for More Information<br />
36 <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News – September/October 2004 www.plumbingandhvac.ca
<strong>CIPHEX</strong> <strong>West</strong><br />
Seminars<br />
Tuesday, Nov. 2<br />
10:30-12:30: Piping Options for<br />
Panel Radiators: John Siegenthaler,<br />
P.Eng. Compare the strengths and<br />
limitations of series, diverter tee<br />
and home run piping options.<br />
Palomino E Room<br />
10:45-11:45: ASHRAE Standard<br />
55, Thermal Environmental<br />
Conditions for Human Occupancy,<br />
will help you specify the combinations<br />
of indoor thermal environmental<br />
conditions. <strong>CIPHEX</strong> Theatre<br />
12:15-1:15: How hot is too much?<br />
Andrew Clark, Watts Industries<br />
(Canada), will look at mixing valves,<br />
hot water and National Building<br />
Code changes. <strong>CIPHEX</strong> Theatre.<br />
1:00-1:45: Regulations and<br />
Codes...Navigating the Road to<br />
Health and Safety, Carey LaRose,<br />
Chief Inspector, and Chris Salvian,<br />
P. Eng., technical advisor-buildings,<br />
Alberta Municipal Affairs. Palomino<br />
E Room<br />
1:45-2:45: Estimating for Profit,<br />
Fred Unrein, Senior Sales Consultant,<br />
Quickpen International.<br />
<strong>CIPHEX</strong> Theatre<br />
2:15-3:15: Recent Developments in<br />
Copper Natural Gas Systems,<br />
Stephen Knapp, executive director,<br />
Canadian Copper & Brass Development<br />
Association. Palomino E<br />
Room<br />
3:15-5:00: The World According to<br />
Bean, Robert Bean, R.E.T., How<br />
hydronic heating in North America<br />
can break the elusive 5% market<br />
share. <strong>CIPHEX</strong> Theatre<br />
New product showcase<br />
at Canada’s <strong>West</strong>ern show<br />
Anyone that has attended previous<br />
<strong>CIPHEX</strong> <strong>West</strong> mechanical shows<br />
knows the fascination of seeing<br />
dozens of new products displayed in<br />
one area. The Gallery of New Products<br />
attracts buyer and seller alike as they<br />
check out new technologies.<br />
It’s a feature highlight of the biennial<br />
show, organized by the Canadian Institute<br />
of <strong>Plumbing</strong> & Heating (CIPH) and held<br />
at the Roundup Centre at Stampede Park<br />
in Calgary. <strong>CIPHEX</strong> <strong>West</strong> 2004 runs<br />
Tuesday Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and<br />
Wednesday Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.<br />
Of course the core attraction will be<br />
the 200 exhibiting companies from all<br />
over North America along with local<br />
distributors. There will be hundreds of<br />
products, equipment, services and technologies<br />
on display representing a<br />
plethora of manufacturers.<br />
As well, a strong seminar program is<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
designed to provide the <strong>West</strong>’s contractors<br />
and their technicians with ideas to<br />
improve both their business and their<br />
trade practices.<br />
The show will be bigger than ever<br />
because it will occur at the same time as<br />
the Construct Alberta Homebuilder &<br />
Renovator Expo, Buildex Calgary and<br />
Design Trends Calgary shows. They are<br />
scheduled in an adjacent hall at the<br />
same time as <strong>CIPHEX</strong> <strong>West</strong>. One badge<br />
will get the contractor into all shows.<br />
A number of innovative programs<br />
are expected to help draw visitors to the<br />
show. Interior design students will compete<br />
with their bathroom design ideas<br />
in the Future Designers Display.<br />
Visitors will also find out which<br />
restaurant, hotel-motel or building has<br />
Alberta’s Best Public Bathroom, as<br />
nominated by local residents.<br />
Visitors are also invited to enter a<br />
905-760-1527<br />
1-877-836-7772<br />
Replacement Heat Exchangers for…<br />
Raypak, Rheem Rudd, RBI, Teledyne-Laars,<br />
Lochinvar, Power-Finn, Patterson Kelly and more.<br />
Bibby-Ste. Croix’s Fred Albert, left,<br />
invited contractors like Marcel Zastra<br />
of Globe Mechanical, Delta, B.C., to<br />
test the company’s drain piping at<br />
<strong>CIPHEX</strong> <strong>West</strong> 2002.<br />
grand prize draw. Drop your entry in the<br />
drum at CIPH booth 137.<br />
Registration for is free until Oct. 27<br />
and $15 at the door. More information is<br />
available by calling CIPH at (416) 695-<br />
0447 or going to www.ciphexwest.ca.<br />
Call us for Tube & Shell<br />
Heat exchangers.<br />
WHEN YOU NEED<br />
HYDRONIC REPLACEMENT<br />
PARTS YESTERDAY!!<br />
T.H.S. is a Manufacturer and Supplier of<br />
Replacement Parts for the Hydronic Industry.<br />
Our own line of “Thermal Cast”<br />
Replacement Refractory for<br />
Raypak (Raytherm), Rheem<br />
Ruud, Teledyne-Laars,<br />
Lochivar, RBI and more<br />
With the aid of computer numeric<br />
control (CNC) technologies, our<br />
machinery centre can produce<br />
intricate and precise machining of<br />
ceramic fibre board, with use limits up<br />
to 3000F (649C) and densities up to 50lbs/sq.in.<br />
Thermal cast, through tests will outlast regular<br />
pre-cast molded refactory. The superior rigidity of<br />
thermal cast will minimize the risk of shipping,<br />
handling and installation damage, as well as<br />
enhance the performance of your boiler.<br />
Call us for full specs.<br />
No cracks or collapsing!<br />
Wednesday, Nov. 3<br />
Sold by the brick or the set.<br />
<br />
10:30-12:30: How Length Affects<br />
T.H.S. Thermal Hydronic Supply means Competitive Prices and Quality Standards<br />
Radiant Floor Heating Circuits,<br />
<br />
Member<br />
John Siegenthaler, P. Eng.<br />
HYDRONICS<br />
<br />
MARKETING<br />
Palomino E Room<br />
GROUP<br />
11:00-12:00: Global Design, Cheryll <br />
357 Edgeley Blvd. Unit 3, Concord, ON • Phone: 905-760-1527 Fax 905-760-1528<br />
NEW LOCATION - 6750 Davand Drive, Unit 4, Mississauga, ON L5T 2L8 • Phone 905-565-0011 Fax: 905-565-1599<br />
Gillespie, Canada’s Design Diva.<br />
<br />
Authorized distributor for S. A. Armstrong, Teledyne Laars, Lochinvar, Johnson Controls, White<br />
Cheryll flushes out the latest bathroom<br />
design ideas. <strong>CIPHEX</strong> Theatre <br />
Toll Free: 1-877-836-7772 • e-mail: info@thermalhydronics.com • www.thermalhydronics.com<br />
Rogers, Conbraco, Winters Instruments & Voyageur. Distribution of Honeywell, Tekmar Systems,<br />
Colton, Weiss Instrument, Tjernlund, Ranco & McDonald Miller/ITT.<br />
12:30-1:15: Media Relations – A<br />
Circle Number 144 for More Information<br />
Circle Number 145 for More Information<br />
Cost-Effective Marketing Tool,<br />
Karl Eichner. <strong>CIPHEX</strong> Theatre<br />
12:45-1:30: Code changes and<br />
proper venting of multi-storey, Watts Has the Right Mix<br />
horizontal and vertical wet vents<br />
and vent stacks, Dave McKee, pipe<br />
trades instructor, NAIT. Palomino E<br />
Room<br />
1:30-2:15: The Basics of UV and<br />
it’s Application, Melissa Lubitz,<br />
R-Can Environmental. <strong>CIPHEX</strong><br />
Theatre<br />
1:45-2:45: Hydronic Installer and<br />
Presenting Watts Full Line of CSA B125-01,<br />
Designer Certification - Training<br />
ASSE 1016 and 1017 Listed Thermostatic Mixing Valves<br />
Options, David Hughes, Program<br />
Next time you specify a thermostatic mixing valve, play it safe<br />
They can be preset to any temperature between<br />
Head, Pipe Trades, NAIT (Panel<br />
with Watts. Our full line of valves provide precise temperature<br />
100˚F and 180˚F. For literature on Watts full<br />
discussion). Palomino E Room<br />
control and high reliability. Our CSA B125-01/ASSE 1016 listed<br />
line of thermostatic mixing valves, call<br />
2:30-3:30: Kitchens & Baths to<br />
point of use mixing valves are ideal for single fixture<br />
1-888-208-8927 or visit our website at<br />
indulge the senses, Cheryll<br />
applications, with the capacity to service multiple fixtures. They<br />
www.wattscanada.ca.<br />
Gillespie, Canada’s Design Diva.<br />
can be preset to any temperature between 80˚F and 120˚F. Our<br />
Cheryll shares her creative ideas<br />
CSA B125-01/ASSE 1017 listed source of supply mixing valves<br />
are ideal for use at the hot water source to maintain and limit the<br />
and practical advice for creating<br />
temperature in domestic and radiant systems.<br />
the ‘client’s’ dream space. <strong>CIPHEX</strong><br />
ISO 9001:2000 REGISTERED<br />
www.wattscanada.ca<br />
Theatre<br />
Circle Number 146 for More Information<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca September/October 2004 – <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News 37
Events<br />
ISH goes to Boston<br />
North American show expected to draw from eastern Canada<br />
The third edition of the ISH North<br />
America exposition is a short commute<br />
for contractors in eastern<br />
Canada. It opens at the Boston<br />
Convention Center with two of the<br />
original partners – the American<br />
Supply Association (ASA) and the<br />
<strong>Plumbing</strong> Heating Cooling Contractors<br />
Association (PHCC) – holding their<br />
annual conventions around it.<br />
ISH-NA will be the first major industry<br />
show in the U.S. high northeast in 20<br />
years. Featured activities include:<br />
• A Keynote Address on The Future of<br />
the <strong>Plumbing</strong> Industry by David<br />
Kohler, Kitchen & Bath Group,<br />
Kohler Co., Kohler, Wisconsin, at a<br />
luncheon on Thursday, October 14<br />
A New Product Showcase<br />
• A Product Demonstration Area will<br />
allow contactors to see equipment in<br />
action.<br />
• The Technology Pavilion will feature<br />
software solutions.<br />
• The Smart House will demonstrate<br />
how automation can integrate home<br />
appliances, security systems, energy<br />
management and other controls.<br />
• The Radiant House is new demonstration<br />
showcase area for hot water<br />
heating by the Radiant Panel<br />
Association (RPA).<br />
• International Pavilions will feature<br />
exhibitors from China, Switzerland<br />
and other countries showcasing their<br />
products<br />
• PHCC will host an on-site international<br />
plumbers apprenticeship competition.<br />
The Canadian Institute of <strong>Plumbing</strong><br />
& Heating (CIPH), the third original<br />
partner with Messe Frankfurt, will hold<br />
its popular Maple Leaf Reception for<br />
member companies and guests on<br />
Thursday, Oct. 14. Visit www.ciph.com.<br />
The newest ISH partner, the RPA will<br />
holds its annual conference featuring its<br />
System Showcase Awards. The full program<br />
is at www.RPAconference.com.<br />
There are 71 seminars and workshops<br />
listed on the ISH program covering<br />
hot water heating, management<br />
topics, kitchen and bathroom design,<br />
fixtures and furnishings, DHW controls,<br />
heating and cooling technologies,<br />
drinking water viruses, cooling systems,<br />
moisture and mould prevention, to<br />
name a few.<br />
For more information, call CIPH at<br />
(416) 695-0447 or go to www.ishna.com.<br />
ICP announces fall courses<br />
International Comfort Products (ICP)<br />
will hold eight equipment training<br />
courses this fall, reports Terry O’Leary,<br />
national training manager. One-day<br />
sessions covering mid and high efficiency<br />
furnaces will take place Oct. 5,6,7<br />
and 27. A packaged rooftop program is<br />
slated for Nov. 23 with seminars on split<br />
heat pumps Oct. 28 and Nov. 24.<br />
Contact O’Leary at 1-800-314-1112, ext.<br />
655 or e-mail Terry.O’Leary@icpusa.com.<br />
Where the <strong>HVAC</strong>&R and<br />
<strong>Plumbing</strong> Marketplaces Meet<br />
Your Ultimate <strong>HVAC</strong>&R<br />
Search Engine<br />
Hundreds of <strong>Plumbing</strong><br />
Solutions including:<br />
Hydronic,<br />
Baseboard &<br />
Radiant Heating,<br />
Boilers,<br />
Water Heating,<br />
Treatment,<br />
Piping,<br />
and more!<br />
Over 1,400<br />
Exhibitors!<br />
FEBRUARY 7–9, 2005<br />
ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER<br />
North/South Complex • South Entrance<br />
ORLANDO, FLORIDA<br />
Co-sponsored by:<br />
Honorary sponsor:<br />
FREE Show Registration and Updated Information:<br />
www.ahrexpo.com<br />
Endorsed by:<br />
AABC • ABMA • ACCA • AMCA • CABA<br />
CTI • GAMA • HARDI • IIAR • LONMARK<br />
MCAA • MSCA • NADCA • NAFA • NEBB<br />
RETA • RPA • RSES • SPIDA<br />
Produced and managed by:<br />
tel: (203) 221-9232 email: info@ahrexpo.com<br />
INTERNATIONAL AIR-CONDITIONING • HEATING • REFRIGERATING EXPOSITION<br />
®<br />
Calendar<br />
SEPT. 30-OCT. 2: 67th Annual RSES<br />
Conference and Exposition, RSES<br />
International, <strong>West</strong>in Calgary,<br />
Calgary, Alta. Contact: Kirby<br />
Kirkpatrick, (317) 718-5910, (800)<br />
310-6853, www.rses.org.<br />
OCT. 13-15: IKK 2004, Int’l Trade Fair<br />
For Refrigeration & Air Conditioning,<br />
Nuremberg, Germany. Contact:<br />
www.ikk-online.com.<br />
OCT. 14-16: ISH-N.A. 2004, Boston<br />
Convention & Exhibition Center,<br />
Boston, Mass. Contact: Messe<br />
Frankfurt N.A., (770) 984-8016, fax<br />
(770) 984-8023, www.ish-na.com.<br />
OCT. 17-19: World Workplace 2004, Int’l<br />
Facility Management Assoc. Conference<br />
& Expo, Salt Lake City, Utah. Contact:<br />
(713) 623-4362, www.ifma.org.<br />
OCT. 24-28: SMACNA annual conference<br />
& exhibition, Grand Wailea Resort,<br />
Maui, Hawaii. Contact: (703) 803-<br />
2980, www.smacna.org.<br />
OCT. 23-27: ASPE 2004, Convention &<br />
Engineered <strong>Plumbing</strong> Expo, American<br />
Society of <strong>Plumbing</strong> Engineers, Cleveland<br />
Convention Center, Cleveland,<br />
Ohio. Contact: (773) 693-2773,<br />
www.aspe.org.<br />
NOV. 2-3: <strong>CIPHEX</strong> 2004, jointly with<br />
Construct Alberta, HomeBuilder &<br />
Renovator Expo, Buildex Calgary<br />
and Design Trends Calgary,<br />
Roundup Centre, Stampede Park,<br />
Calgary, Alberta. Contact: Elizabeth<br />
McCullough, manager, CIPH, (416)<br />
695-0447/0450 Fax, www.ciph.com,<br />
mccullough@ciph.com.<br />
NOV. 4-5: Canadian Construction<br />
Assoc. biennial Labour Relations<br />
Conference, Sheraton Hotel,<br />
Montreal. Call (613) 236-9455 or<br />
go to www.cca-acc.com.<br />
DEC. 1-3: Construct Canada, Metro<br />
Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto,<br />
Ont. Contact: (416) 512-1215, ext.<br />
229, www.constructcanada.com.<br />
Circle Number 147 for More Information<br />
38 <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News – September/October 2004 www.plumbingandhvac.ca
People & Places<br />
People<br />
Bill Granger, centre, accepts the<br />
Joseph K. Seidner award from CIPH<br />
chairman Mike Dennis, left, and<br />
<strong>Plumbing</strong> Industry Advisory Council<br />
chairman Alain Lanthier.<br />
The Canadian Institute of <strong>Plumbing</strong> &<br />
Heating has named Bill Granger, manager,<br />
product engineering, for Delta<br />
Faucet Canada, London, Ont., the<br />
2004 recipient of the Joseph K. Seidner<br />
Award. The award recognizes the years<br />
Granger has spent working on various<br />
code and advisory committees in support<br />
of the plumbing industry.<br />
The Mechanical Contractors Association<br />
of Alberta has elected a new<br />
executive: president – Brad Diggens,<br />
MJS Mech., Calgary; vice-presidents –<br />
Ken Manweiler, Kam Mech., Edmonton<br />
and Garnet Young, Trotter &<br />
Morton, Calgary; past president –<br />
Rand Carvell, Pad-Car Mech., Medicine<br />
Hat; directors: Bart Bartlett,<br />
Kehoe Equip., Edmonton; Eldon<br />
Campbell, Goldbar Mech., Edmonton;<br />
Barry Cousins Jr., Arpi’s Ind.,<br />
Calgary; George Doty, Will Mech.,<br />
Edmonton; Peter Idler, Comstock,<br />
Edmonton; Ron Millette, Wolseley,<br />
Calgary and Don Petrin, Petrin<br />
Mech., Calgary.<br />
Giant Factories Inc.,<br />
Montreal, has appointed<br />
Ron Brouillette to the<br />
position of vice president,<br />
sales and Mike<br />
Lavoie as national sales<br />
Mike Lavoie manager.<br />
Carlo Gavazzi Canada, Mississauga,<br />
Ont., has named Tony Fiorvento western<br />
regional sales manager, working<br />
from the company’s North Vancouver<br />
office.<br />
Crane Valves North America,<br />
Brantford, Ont., has named Tim<br />
Butcher OEM sales manager.<br />
S.A. Armstrong, Toronto, has<br />
appointed Robert W. Clements as<br />
manager, Ontario sales, and Gordon<br />
Reel as sales manager, western region,<br />
wholesale parts division.<br />
Tirino Corp., Concord, Ont., has appointed<br />
Mark Bates as sales manager.<br />
Schneider Electric Canada, Toronto,<br />
has appointed David Fraser vice<br />
president, sales and channel management<br />
for Canada.<br />
management, courtesy, etiquette, etc.<br />
More information is available at<br />
www.answerplus.ca.<br />
Viessmann Mfg., Waterloo. Ont.,<br />
has named Roy Collver and Rob Cox,<br />
Mechanical Systems 2000 in Calgary<br />
and Edmonton, MAX sales award winners<br />
for 2003. Viessmann B.C. took second<br />
spot.<br />
Fairview Fittings & Mfg. Ltd.,<br />
Toronto, has announced the completion<br />
of a 5,000 sq.ft. manufacturing facility<br />
in Saskatoon, Sask. A 10,000 sq. ft. addition<br />
is underway at the company’s<br />
Toronto plant. Fairview’s Montreal<br />
branch is also looking for a larger facility<br />
… likely in Laval.<br />
Goodman Distribution Inc., Houston,<br />
Texas, has announced the opening<br />
of a full-service <strong>HVAC</strong> branch at 46<br />
Zatonski Ave. in Brantford, Ont.<br />
Contact branch manager Glenn<br />
Mellors at (519) 757-0965.<br />
Irwin Industrial Tools Canada, formerly<br />
American Tool Companies<br />
Inc., is operating at 2562 Stanfield Rd.,<br />
Mississauga, Ont. Brands under the<br />
Irwin name include Prosnip and Vice-<br />
Grip. Contact (905) 279-1010 or go to<br />
www.irwin.com.<br />
Danfoss A/S of Nordberg, Denmark,<br />
and Turbocor Inc. of Montreal have<br />
formed a joint venture company to promote<br />
applications for the oil-free centrifugal<br />
compressors developed by<br />
Turbocor.<br />
The Imperial Manufacturing Group,<br />
Richibucto, N.B., celebrated 25 years of<br />
rapid growth on June 18.<br />
The company began as a sheet metal<br />
shop and is now a diverse manufacturer<br />
of air distribution and IAQ improvement<br />
products, along with a wide<br />
Heat Transfer Coils &<br />
Corrosion Protection Coatings<br />
Grohe adds capacity<br />
Grohe Canada Inc. has added<br />
a $700,000 stainless steel<br />
manufacturing line to its<br />
Tempress Ltd. manufacturing<br />
plant in Mississauga, Ont. The<br />
move brings Grohe’s total<br />
investment at the plant to<br />
$9.4 million over five years.<br />
There are 100 employees.<br />
The German manufacturer<br />
acquired Tempress, a former<br />
division of Danfoss, in 1994.<br />
The new manufacturing line Mohan Clare, centre, explains shower<br />
takes pressure off the company’s<br />
main plant in Germany, Hewlin, left, to members of the media.<br />
valve production with employee Diane<br />
noted general manager David<br />
Baker. “The German plant is at capacity… more production is being<br />
shifted to the Canadian plant.”<br />
Products manufactured in Ontario now include the Seabury and<br />
Geneva bathroom faucet lines, the Alira, Ashford and Ladylux line of<br />
kitchen faucets and a line of pressure balancing valves.<br />
The plant includes a research/development lab and a quality<br />
control/testing facility. Ceramic cartridges, for example, are tested<br />
through 250,000 cycles – double the CSA requirement, reported Mohan<br />
Clare, technical manager.<br />
Grohe Canada Inc. is the 15-year-old subsidiary of GROHE Water<br />
Technology AG & Co. of Germany – one of the three largest faucet<br />
manufacturers in the world. Further information is available at<br />
www.grohecanada.com.<br />
Imperial Mfg. marks 25 years<br />
range of metal building construction<br />
materials.<br />
The company now employs 800 people<br />
in 10 divisions across Canada and<br />
the U.S. The small Richibucto location<br />
has grown to become the largest<br />
plant/warehouse with 500 employees. It<br />
remains the company headquarters.<br />
Founder and president Normand<br />
Caissie reflected: “Our rapid growth<br />
would not have been possible without<br />
the inspiring contributions of our<br />
employees. Today we continue to find<br />
our strength in the people of IMG …”<br />
■ New Coil Applications<br />
■ Exact Coil Replacements<br />
■ Rapid Delivery<br />
■ Heresite Protective Coatings<br />
Companies<br />
AnswerPlus Inc., Hamilton, Ont., an<br />
off-site reception service for, among<br />
others, mechanical contractors, recently<br />
earned The Award of Distinction<br />
MANUFACTURING LIMITED<br />
Madok Manufacturing is the<br />
Canadian licencee for<br />
50 Morrell St., Brantford, Ontario N3T 4J5<br />
from the U.S. based Association of<br />
Heresite Protective Coatings Inc.<br />
Tel (519) 756-5760 Fax (519) 756-5768<br />
Manitowoc, WI<br />
TeleServices International (ATSI) for<br />
mail@madok.com www.madok.com<br />
exceptional customer relationship<br />
Circle Number 148 for More Information<br />
www.plumbingandhvac.ca September/October 2004 – <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News 39
Literature Showcase<br />
Following are some of the latest catalogues, manuals, software and product brochures from the industry’s<br />
leading manufacturers. To receive a copy, please circle the corresponding number on the Reader Service<br />
Card in this issue, fill out your contact information, and mail it or fax it to (416) 620-9790. Your requests<br />
will be forwarded to the appropriate companies. They, in turn, will send you the information.<br />
Make Sure It’s Certified<br />
If it’s not certified, do you know what you’re getting?<br />
Copeland compressors undergo numerous<br />
improvements every year. So only Certified<br />
Copeland compressors can deliver the most energyefficient,<br />
reliable operation every time. Look for the<br />
Certified Copeland nameplate with the official blue<br />
ribbon authentication to ensure you are getting a<br />
genuine Certified Copeland compressor. Contact<br />
(519) 756-6157 or go to www.copeland-corp.com<br />
Emerson Climate Technologies<br />
Circle no. 379<br />
Boiler Control 263<br />
The Boiler Control 263 is an outdoor reset, setpoint<br />
and DHW control capable of controlling up to two<br />
on / off boilers or one modulating boiler. The 263<br />
provides either a 0 - 20 mA or 4 - 20 mA signal to<br />
the modulating boiler, and when operating two on /<br />
off boilers the 263 provides Equal Run Time<br />
Rotation. The control can also operate the primary<br />
system pump as well as the DHW pump or valve.<br />
The control also has sensor inputs for both a DHW<br />
sensor and an indoor air sensor. The indoor air sensor<br />
allows for indoor temperature feedback.<br />
tekmar Control Systems Ltd.<br />
Circle no. 380<br />
Test tools catalogue<br />
This new, full-colour catalogue features the compact<br />
Meterman XP Series digital multimeters, 10 new<br />
<strong>HVAC</strong> and electrical tools and a full line of benchtop<br />
Test and Measurement instruments,<br />
temperature and environmental tools, handheld<br />
component testers, electronic and specialty probes<br />
and accessories for electricians, electronic<br />
technicians, and environmental/<strong>HVAC</strong> technicians.<br />
Email info@metermantesttools.com or visit<br />
www.metermantesttools.com<br />
Meterman Test Tools<br />
Circle no. 381<br />
Universal Reset Control 374<br />
The 374 is capable of controlling two mixing reset<br />
loops (variable speed pump injection or mixing<br />
valves), a DHW load, a setpoint load and two boiler<br />
stages. This control also features a built in clock with<br />
a seven-day programmable setback schedule. The<br />
374 can also be set up to operate with a tekmar boiler<br />
staging control for systems that have more than<br />
two boiler stages.<br />
tekmar Control Systems Ltd.<br />
Circle no. 382<br />
The Safer Tank<br />
Fiberglass heating oil tanks from ZCL are built to<br />
provide long term peace of mind service. They simply<br />
will never rust! Our Heating Oil Storage Tanks<br />
are completely liquid tight and weather proof, and<br />
do not require any containment devices. They can<br />
be easily installed either indoors or outside due to<br />
their lightweight design. Send for your information<br />
package today! The heating oil tank that virtually<br />
eliminates the risk of costly corrosion leaks!<br />
ZCL Composites Inc.<br />
Circle no. 383<br />
New industrial catalogue<br />
Leonard Valve Co. has introduced an all-new<br />
Industrial Catalog which details the manufacturer’s<br />
water temperature control products designed for<br />
industrial and process applications. Selected models<br />
include washdown stations, hot and cold water thermostatic<br />
mixing valves, drench and emergency<br />
shower mixing valves, steam and water mixing<br />
valves, point-of-use mixing valves and wall-mounted<br />
shower systems. Leonard Valve has been a worldwide<br />
leader in water temperature control valves and<br />
systems since 1913. Call (888) 797-4456, Fax (401)<br />
941-5310, Email: info@leonardvalve.com.<br />
Leonard Valve Co.<br />
Circle no. 384<br />
Steam humidifier<br />
The Elite Steam Humidifier for hydronic-heated<br />
homes is an investment that pays dividends for your<br />
customer every day. The GeneralAire Elite Steam<br />
humidifier was developed to provide a solution for<br />
dry winter air in homes heated with radiant heat or<br />
where other types of mechanical humidifiers just do<br />
not fit the application. Available in three installation<br />
options including a duct injection model, a direct<br />
room injection model for homes with no ductwork<br />
and – coming soon – a closet wall-mounted model<br />
for homes/offices with no ducts or basement.<br />
CGF Products<br />
Circle no. 385<br />
Affordable, efficient ventilation<br />
Finally, there is a simple ventilation solution for production<br />
homes, condos and apartments. The Breeze<br />
line by RenewAire includes the BR70 for up to 1500<br />
square feet of living apace and the BR130 for up to<br />
2700 square feet of living space. As a ‘balanced ventilator’,<br />
the Breeze unit simultaneously exhausts stale<br />
air and delivers an equal amount of fresh air back<br />
into the home. The Breeze mounts directly on furnace<br />
or AC return ductwork in half the time of conventional<br />
air exchangers.<br />
MITS Airconditioning Inc.<br />
Circle no. 386<br />
Twelve reasons<br />
This eight-page full-colour brochure describes in<br />
colourful detail 12 reasons to select a De Dietrich<br />
boiler: their history starts in 1684, flexible eutectic<br />
cast iron, 88 per cent-plus efficiencies, modulation<br />
with indoor-outdoor reset, low noise and NOx levels,<br />
an industry-leading 95 psi working pressure, bispherical<br />
push nipple assembly to ensure a perfect<br />
fit, and other benefits. Also included are details on<br />
the four De Dietrich boilers in the GT Series with<br />
input ranges from 107 to 6,206 MBH.<br />
Flexible Eutectic<br />
Circle no. 387<br />
Specialty IAQ products<br />
A catalogue of more than 20 different products that<br />
will solve a variety of Indoor Air Quality problems is<br />
available from master distributor Evolution Air.<br />
Included are a variety of filters, including a new<br />
humidifier, the portable air cleaner from Friedrich,<br />
whole house HEPA units, ultraviolet sterilizer systems,<br />
odour eliminators, fans, telephone-controlled thermostats<br />
and a room HRV. The contractor will go on<br />
an update list as new items are added. Check the full<br />
line at www.evolutionair.com.<br />
Evolution Air<br />
Circle no. 388<br />
Professional development courses<br />
Accubid offers a wide range of professional development<br />
courses for contractors. These are led by<br />
industry professionals who impart to the novice or<br />
experienced contractor the principles and techniques<br />
of estimating and project management. The<br />
five-day Level 100 estimating course is specifically<br />
designed to teach prospective estimators the concepts<br />
and methodologies of modern-day computerized<br />
estimating. You can take this course on its own<br />
or as part of Accubid’s three-course Computerized<br />
Estimating Certification program. Contact Accubid<br />
at 1-800-ACCUBID (222-8243).<br />
Accubid Systems<br />
Circle no. 389<br />
Battery operated flushometer<br />
Sloan’s new brochure explains the benefits of the<br />
battery-operated G2 Optima Plus® Flushometers<br />
that incorporate Sloan’s patented Isolated Operator.<br />
This shields the solenoid from harmful effects of<br />
water to provide reliable performance regardless of<br />
water quality. The G2 also features a new flex-tube<br />
diaphragm that meters an exact amount of water<br />
every flush. The G2’s advanced electronic module,<br />
designed to eliminate detection errors caused by<br />
lighting conditions and reflective surfaces, meets<br />
U.S. NEMA 6 sealing requirements.<br />
R.G. Dobbin Sales Ltd.<br />
Circle no. 390<br />
40 <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News – September/October 2004 www.plumbingandhvac.ca
Mechanical Marketplace<br />
The bulletin board of products, services, professionals, employment opportunities<br />
and more for Canada’s Mechanical Contracting Industry.<br />
Fabric Air Diffuser Systems<br />
INDUSTRIAL<br />
MAKEUP AIR<br />
FLOWCON Air Diffusers<br />
are being used as a<br />
highly effective system<br />
for dispersing and mixing<br />
outside makeup air and<br />
are reversible.<br />
Patron Products Inc, Scarborough, Ont. M1V 5G4<br />
1-800-361-5451 Fax: (416) 298-1412<br />
Circle Number 150 for More Information<br />
Sales Person<br />
Aggressive plumbing and drain service company needs a well<br />
spoken individual with a plumbing and drain cleaning background<br />
to help make our business grow.<br />
Call Greg or Stan<br />
Tel. 416-503-4444 Fax 416-503-1858<br />
Circle Number 151 for More Information<br />
Circle Number 152 for More Information<br />
WESTERN CANADA'S PIPELINE FOR MECHANICAL, DESIGN, BUILDING AND RENOVATION PROFESSIONALS<br />
PRESENTED BY<br />
THE CANADIAN<br />
INSTITUTE<br />
OF PLUMBING<br />
& HEATING<br />
TO REGISTER GO TO<br />
WWW.<strong>CIPHEX</strong>WEST.CA<br />
EXPO & CONFERENCE<br />
TUESDAY, NOV. 2,<br />
10 AM TO 6 PM<br />
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 3,<br />
10 AM TO 4 PM<br />
ROUNDUP CENTRE,<br />
STAMPEDE PARK<br />
CALGARY, ALBERTA<br />
MAKE DIRECT<br />
CONNECTIONS<br />
WITH MORE THAN 3,500<br />
INDUSTRY MEMBERS<br />
30,000 SQUARE FEET OF<br />
PRODUCTS AND IDEAS<br />
UNDER ONE ROOF<br />
INFORMATION-PACKED SEMINARS<br />
PLUMBING, HYDRONICS,<br />
<strong>HVAC</strong>, PIPE,<br />
VALVE & FITTINGS,<br />
TOOLS & EQUIPMENT,<br />
WATER QUALITY,<br />
PUMPS, SOFTWARE,<br />
LUXURY BATHROOMS<br />
AND KITCHENS<br />
<strong>CIPHEX</strong> SHOWS ARE PRODUCED BY<br />
THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF<br />
PLUMBING & HEATING<br />
Representing Canada’s <strong>Plumbing</strong><br />
and Hydronic Heating Industry<br />
for over 70 years.<br />
WWW.CIPH.COM<br />
Our Advertisers<br />
Advertisers<br />
Page<br />
A.Y. MacDonald 27<br />
AHR Expo 2005 - Orlando 38<br />
Astravan Distribution-Bosch 15<br />
Atmosphair C&I 26<br />
Beckett Canada 19<br />
Bradford White-Canada 29<br />
Camus Hydronics 20<br />
CGF Products 19<br />
<strong>CIPHEX</strong> <strong>West</strong> 2004 41<br />
City of Toronto Works Dept. 36<br />
Delta Faucet 24<br />
ECR Int’l, Olsen Div. 12<br />
Flexible Eutectic Boilers 16<br />
General Pipe Cleaners 4<br />
Gordon R. Williams 5<br />
Grundfos Pump 3<br />
Heil Div. Int’l Comfort Prod. 14<br />
Honeywell, Genetron Div. 33<br />
Humber College – <strong>HVAC</strong>R Div. 29<br />
Kamco Products 8<br />
KeepRite Div. Int’l Comfort Prod. 13<br />
Leonard Valve 34<br />
Lennox Industries 15<br />
Madok Mfg 39<br />
Mag Tool 37,42<br />
Marathon International 9<br />
Mitsubishi Electric 35<br />
Mueller Flow Control 2<br />
Newmac Manufacturing 17<br />
NTI - NY Thermal 11<br />
Oatey Canada 26<br />
Ridge Tool 10<br />
Roberts Gordon 27<br />
Rogers Wireless 31<br />
Saniflo, a Group SFA Co. 25<br />
Superior Radiant Products 34<br />
Taco Canada 21<br />
tekmar Control Products 6<br />
Tempstar Div., ICP 22,23<br />
Thermal Hydronic Supply 37<br />
Urecon – PEX-Flex 42<br />
Victaulic Co. Canada 7,9<br />
Viessmann Mfg 18<br />
Watts Drainage 32<br />
Watts Industries 37<br />
Weil-McLain Canada 28<br />
Wirsbo Div. Uponor Canada 30<br />
Wolseley Canada 44<br />
Wolseley – <strong>HVAC</strong>R Div. 43<br />
Mechanical Marketplace 41<br />
Next Energy, Patron Products,<br />
Roto Rooter.<br />
Literature Showcase 40<br />
Accubid Systems, CGF Products,<br />
Flexible Eutectic Boilers, Emerson<br />
Climate Technologies Div., Evolution<br />
Air, Leonard Valve, Meterman, MITS<br />
Airconditioning, R.G. Dobbin Sales,<br />
tekmar Control Products, ZCL<br />
Composites.
Shop Management<br />
The contractor as a salesman<br />
It doesn’t have to be that difficult<br />
By Barry Cunningham<br />
For many<br />
contractors<br />
the hardest<br />
part of the job is<br />
selling the customer<br />
on it in<br />
the first place.<br />
Once they get<br />
the job they<br />
know what to<br />
do, but most guys hate the part where<br />
they have to sell themselves and the system.<br />
And who can blame them? Almost<br />
every job starts with some sales work,<br />
but how many have had any training in<br />
selling?<br />
Many contractors fall into the ‘sell it<br />
cheaper’ trap. But the only way you can<br />
sell cheaper is to reduce your profit or<br />
reduce what you give the customer. You<br />
don’t want the former and your customer<br />
doesn’t want the latter. Besides,<br />
there is always somebody out there who<br />
will undercut you.<br />
And contrary to popular opinion,<br />
most people don’t want the cheapest<br />
system money can buy. The vast majority<br />
of clients just want value for their<br />
money. Isn’t that what you want when<br />
you are the consumer?<br />
Being a good salesman isn’t some<br />
magical charm that makes people simply<br />
buy stuff without question. Sure, it<br />
often helps to have the ‘gift of gab’, but<br />
that alone won’t get the job done either.<br />
I’ve known a number of people who<br />
were gifted speakers with outgoing personalities,<br />
but they were lousy sales people.<br />
I have also known several quiet<br />
reserved types who always seemed to<br />
close the deal.<br />
You would put effort into the design<br />
and installation of the job. A good effort<br />
is required at the selling stage as well.<br />
Don’t be lazy. Do it right and you’ll be<br />
surprised at how many times success<br />
will follow. As in most endeavours, the<br />
degree of success will coincide with the<br />
amount of effort you put in.<br />
Here are ten tips to help you and<br />
your company win the job:<br />
1) Dress for success. No, this doesn’t<br />
mean a suit and tie. Most people would<br />
be put off by a<br />
contractor coming<br />
at them in a suit.<br />
But clean jeans or<br />
khakis tell them<br />
you made an effort<br />
on their behalf to<br />
impress them. The<br />
client will take this<br />
a sign of respect.<br />
2) What’s that<br />
you’re driving?<br />
Not everyone can<br />
afford or wants to<br />
spend the money<br />
on new vehicles. You don’t have to. But<br />
wash it regularly. Keep it looking tidy<br />
and make sure the company name is on<br />
the side. And make sure it’s not going to<br />
leak disgusting fluids onto your customer’s<br />
driveway. Your vehicle is part of<br />
projecting your image. As well, if you<br />
care about your stuff, it gives the<br />
prospective client confidence that you’ll<br />
probably care about theirs.<br />
3) Be a pro. Stay up to date on the<br />
products and techniques you sell. If you<br />
sound like you know what you’re talking<br />
about the client will gain confidence.<br />
Most people want to brag about<br />
the highly skilled people they get to do<br />
And contrary to<br />
popular opinion,<br />
most people<br />
don’t want the<br />
cheapest system<br />
money can buy.<br />
stuff. Think about it. Of the many people<br />
you deal with in both your professional<br />
and personal life, how many get<br />
your business because they are good at<br />
what they do?<br />
4) Bring evidence. Keep a photo book<br />
with pictures of some of your work. If<br />
possible, get some of your previous<br />
clients to write testimonials. Not only<br />
does this show you can get the job done,<br />
but that you have enough pride to show<br />
it. It demonstrates<br />
that you are making<br />
a serious effort<br />
to get the customer’s<br />
business.<br />
5) Show them<br />
the goods. Bring<br />
brochures and<br />
pamphlets and be<br />
prepared to leave<br />
them behind. The<br />
wholesalers and<br />
manufacturers are<br />
usually more than<br />
happy to give you<br />
as many as you need. Make sure they<br />
have your company name stamped on<br />
them too.<br />
6) Don’t sell equipment. Sure, go<br />
ahead and show them what you’re selling,<br />
but concentrate on features and<br />
benefits. You may get all glitter-eyed<br />
about the cool, high-tech shiny bits, but<br />
chances are the client won’t. You will,<br />
from time to time, run into some who<br />
do show an interest. If they initiate the<br />
discussion along those lines, go for it,<br />
but be careful. When they start getting<br />
that glazed look, you’re loosing them.<br />
7) Don’t be afraid to upsell. I don’t<br />
know how many times I’ve heard someone<br />
tell me they never offered the Jones<br />
an indirect DHW tank because they<br />
were afraid the price would scare them.<br />
Break out the options and show them<br />
the added cost. Be prepared to show<br />
them how the optional stuff will affect<br />
them. It can’t be more money just so<br />
your profit is higher. Show them the<br />
benefits. If it benefits the customer sufficiently,<br />
they will invest in it.<br />
8) Use a computer. I know I’ve heard<br />
it hundreds of times. “I don’t even know<br />
how to turn the thing on”. Well learn. Or<br />
get someone else to do it for you. You<br />
can’t hand a client an estimate written<br />
on a drugstore memo pad. Those spiffy<br />
presentations will help make the client<br />
think you’re a pro.<br />
9) Get the client involved. Make sure<br />
they’re aware you know how special this<br />
job is to them. Find out what they<br />
expect and write it down. At the end of<br />
the interview make sure you read it all<br />
back to them and get their OK. You care<br />
and they know it.<br />
10) Follow up. Many clients will find<br />
out how much you care by making sure<br />
you come back and ask. Go ahead and<br />
call, just don’t pester them.<br />
Follow these ten steps on every sales<br />
call and, not only will you have a leg up<br />
on your competition, but you will find<br />
yourself winning the jobs more easily<br />
and more regularly than in the past.<br />
Barry Cunningham is chairman of the<br />
Alberta Hydronics Advisory Council and<br />
sales manager at Triangle Supply, Red<br />
Deer, Alta. He writes a regular column in<br />
The New Hydronics.<br />
(Editor’s note: Regular Shop Management<br />
columnist Ronald Coleman<br />
will return in the next issue.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Coming in the<br />
Next Issue!<br />
Annual Home<br />
Builders Issue<br />
• New DHW rule<br />
compliance<br />
• The new 2005<br />
trucks<br />
• Building better<br />
hydronics<br />
• Oil heat rule<br />
changes<br />
• Products,<br />
products,<br />
products!<br />
Circle Number 153 for More Information<br />
Circle Number 154 for More Information<br />
42 <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News – September/October 2004 www.plumbingandhvac.ca
Keep cool<br />
customers<br />
even cooler.<br />
Consider the modern styling<br />
and ultra-quiet operation of LG<br />
Mini Split air conditioning and<br />
heat pump systems. Backed by<br />
an industry leading warranty,<br />
the comfort and convenience<br />
of LG will keep you and your<br />
customers cool!<br />
Easy installation where ducting is limited<br />
or non-existent.<br />
No ductwork, you’re in and out ...fast!<br />
Available from 9,000 to 24,000 BTU.<br />
No job too big, no job too small.<br />
Industry exclusive<br />
warranty.<br />
No “call backs”<br />
means more time,<br />
more business.<br />
Frontier · Wolseley<br />
<strong>HVAC</strong>/R Group<br />
905-364-0720<br />
18 Ontario locations<br />
Wolseley<br />
<strong>HVAC</strong>/R Group<br />
204-775-9731<br />
4 <strong>West</strong>ern Canada locations<br />
Refac · Wolseley<br />
<strong>HVAC</strong>/R Group<br />
514-329-5353<br />
13 Quebec & Eastern<br />
Canada locations<br />
Wolseley <strong>HVAC</strong>/R Group is your exclusive source for LG Mini Split Systems<br />
Circle Number 155 for More Information
Get to know our Wolseley Mechanical team.<br />
Our Commitment is to create the right business atmosphere.<br />
We Sell Tools and Accessories!<br />
The Brands You want Most!<br />
Come join Wolseley Canada<br />
and Lenox at our upcoming Car Cuts.<br />
Car Cut Calendar:<br />
Ontario: October 7, 2004<br />
Wolseley Mechanical Group - Barrie<br />
88 Morrow Road, Barrie (705) 726-6775<br />
October 14, 2004<br />
Wolseley Mechanical Group - Kingston<br />
75 Harvey St, Kingston (613) 546-3141<br />
Eastern Canada: October 26, 2004<br />
Wolseley Groupe Plomberie - Laval<br />
890 Ave. Munck, Laval (450) 663-5331<br />
<strong>West</strong>ern Canada: October 27, 2004<br />
Wolseley Mechanical Group - Victoria<br />
862 Cloverdale Ave, Victoria (250) 475-1111<br />
You can try out Lenox blades yourself and cut a car.<br />
Wolseley is a leading diversified global distributor of plumbing, heating, ventilation, hydronics, refrigeration,<br />
waterworks, HDPE pipe, air conditioning, pipe, valves, fittings, fire protection, tools, industrial equipment and supplies.<br />
Proud supplier of more than 40,000 preferred branded products in over 200 branches across Canada.<br />
For a complete list of our locations, visit our website:<br />
www.wolseleyinc.ca<br />
or call us at: 905-335-7375<br />
Register at www.wolseleyexpress.com for 24-hour access to our products.<br />
Circle Number 156 for More Information