CMX 2004 - Plumbing & HVAC

Letters
Hydronic heating efficiencies need
to be backed by hard figures
(Editor’s note: P&HVAC hydronics columnist Roy
Collver received the following letter.)
Dear Roy,
I found your recent article entitled ‘Motivate the
builder to offer hydronic heating’ in the Nov/Dec 2003
Plumbing & HVAC Product News very interesting and
informative.
In the article you mentioned two educational points
that builders need to be aware of; one of lower fuel bills
and second, save the environment. What we would find
beneficial is any quantitative data or information available
which would further support these statements.
For example, if a typical home could save “X” on
their gas bill by utilizing hydronic heating, what range
could these savings be? Also on the environmental
side, what is the message or how does this application
help the environment?
I would appreciate any information that we could
reference when talking to our industry channels.
Regards,
Dave Garner
Program Manager, Mass Markets
Enbridge
Scarborough, Ont.
Roy Collver responds:
Hello Dave, thanks for your interest in my article.
You have raised a very important point that doesn’t
have an easy answer.
We know from talking to customers and from looking
at some industry case studies that hydronic heating
in general, and radiant floor heating in particular, can
give spectacular savings over forced-air systems. The
problem is, we do not have a North American scientific
study that proves this.
The good news is that a variety of groups are working
on this and we should have unassailable proof in
the near future. From the satisfied customers I have
talked to in recent years, we are seeing savings in the
20% to 50% range, but we have to be careful in making
such claims as there are so many variables.
I will do a bit of research and put together an article
in the next few months detailing the studies done to
date and the expected results of ongoing studies.
Thanks for the feedback, and the idea. It is an article
that is long past due.
Roy Collver
Mechanical Systems 2000
Calgary, Alta.
Gas safety
an ongoing
concern
Dear editor:
I let my techs read your article
(‘Be your customer’s safety
watchdog’ , (Hot Seat, Jan./
Feb./04).
You are right. Those ‘experts’
should have informed you of
the potential hazard.
The biggest problem that we
were finding is that the experts –
the authority having jurisdiction
– (is not doing its job).
If the jobs were inspected
properly for safety and workmanship,
and if they would
back us up if we find an infraction
for a potential hazard created
by another HVAC contractor,
then and maybe only then
would the customer believe us
that there is something seriously
wrong.
One of my techs came back
from a job and had asked the
client where the inspection slip
was. None could be found. The
customer did not believe us that
the gas line was installed incorrectly,
or for that matter safely.
The high pressure was coming
from the meter, through the
regulator, than the shut off, to
the appliance. But said client
informed us that it had been
inspected.
After many years of reporting
infractions, and absolutely
nothing ever been done about
them, you can see why we have
become cynical.
The clean trucks belonging to Joe the Plumber Inc., Whitby,
Ont., attract attention.
Liked graphics article
Dear editor
I really enjoyed the ‘Instant Impact’ article in your magazine
(Jan/Feb/04). I myself take a great deal of pride in my work as
well as my company vehicles. I thought I would include a picture
of one of our service trucks. We have three trucks on the road and
they were always clean and organized. Keep up the great work on
the magazine!
Scott Southwell, owner
Joe the Plumber Inc.
Whitby, Ont.
It’s a nice looking truck. Window vans can be a challenge for
graphics – ed.
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www.plumbingandhvac.ca March/April 2004 – Plumbing & HVAC Product News 11