Controls play an integral role in ensuring today’s hydronic radiant systems operate as energy efficiently as possible while still providing ultimate comfort to the consumer. Every system should, at the very least, be employed using outdoor weather compensating controllers or…
There are some facts about thermistors and resistance that cause confusion. Luckily that lines up with our topics on electricity. How you wonder? Once again it is all physics. V = I R, where the R is resistance. A story…
Several manufacturers have introduced new balancing valve technologies into the market. Familiarity with these new valves, as well as traditional balancing valves, will assist you in selecting the correct one for specific hydronic and plumbing system applications. MANUAL BALANCING VALVES…
Johnson Controls recently announced it has acquired the assets of Lux Products Corporation (LUX), a manufacturer of residential thermostats and smart home products. LUX markets several residential and commercial lines ranging from timers to smart home thermostats, including Kono and…
The Wohler A 450 combustion analyzer is an affordably priced flue gas analyzer with rugged yet compact housing, a touch screen monitor and advanced sensor technology. The Wohler A 450 provides the flexibility needed for applications such as checking furnace…
Over time the hydronic industry has changed the approach to system piping designs and temperature control as equipment efficiency and technology has evolved. In the late 1960s and early 1970s out-door air reset was utilized. This allowed for better temperature…
It is not uncommon for contractors, and sometimes consumers, to call me to complain about the performance of a hydronic system. Many of these times, if it is not system settings related, it is because the consumer is expecting different…
We all know, young or old, what comes to mind when we see the word Thunderstruck: AC/DC. This serves two purposes here, one is that the band is awesome and two, it is a good segue into the next Electricity…
As noted in Part I and Part II of this series (see HPAC February and March 2018), control systems are often blamed when something is not operating as expected. More often than not, if control systems do not perform as…
How many times have you heard someone say “Who let the smoke out?” in a mechanical room. You see the infamous “black smoke” come out of a piece of electronics and everyone starts pointing fingers. We have all done it.…
As it was noted in Part I of this series (see HPAC February 2018), control systems are often blamed when something is not operating as expected. More often than not, if control systems do not perform as needed, something…
Controls are often blamed when hydronic systems are not operating properly. While that may sometimes be the case, always look at what else may be influencing performance. While control systems are not flawless, consider that they are developed in a…
The 2018 ASHRAE Winter Conference takes place January 20-24 at the Palmer House Chicago with the co-sponsored AHR Expo being held January 22-24 at McCormick Place. The AHR Expo seminar program features over 120 sessions, including over 70 free one-…
Ruskin – air controls solutions manufacturer – has expanded its Parsons, KS manufacturing plant. The 5,000 square foot addition supports the production of the TDP05K thermal dispersion air measurement system. “As we developed the TDP05K, we realized the product requires…
Homeowners or renters living in single-detached, semi-detached, townhome or row home are eligible to take part in the GreenON Installations Program. The $40-million program includes the installation of a smart thermostat for free in 100,000 households. Residents living in multi-residential…
The Coquitlam Centre’s new heat recovery chiller (HRC) system wins HOOPP’s LEAP award, helps cut GHG emissions by 35 per cent. Sustainability has transformed from a “nice-to-have” aspect for businesses to a core component of operations for many organizations, both…
Caleffi is once again running its Excellence contest, beginning June 1 and continuing through November 30, 2017. Designers, contractors and engineers can showcase hydronic projects that incorporate Caleffi products. Each month the company will select contenders who will be voted…
Uponor Ltd. held an open house on June 1, 2017 at its new Canadian headquarters in Mississauga, ON. Officially completing the merger of its sales and marketing headquarters with its eastern distribution centre, the innovative space supports the growth and…
Tulsar Canada is hoping to quadruple both its production and its workforce, adding up to 150 new jobs at its 135,000 square foot facility in Cainsville in the industrial area east of Brantford, ON. There are currently 50 people…
The aisles were packed again for the 2017 edition of MCEE trade show and conference for the plumbing, hydronics, HVAC/R, electrical and lighting industries. The sold out trade show took place in Montreal on April 26 and 27. At 6,286,…
When I started my career some 25 years ago hydronic controls were pretty rudimentary. At best, they could control what they were designed for, but they were pretty much standalone. There were little application controllers and were often only good…
Stelpro, a manufacturer of integrated heating solutions, has teamed up with three Internet of Things (IoT) partners to develop and bring to market Maestro – Smart Thermostats, a smart home solution for electric heat that enables users to customize home…
Pro Kontrol has been appointed by Johnson Controls to distribute the Facility Explorer line of digital controls in the Atlantic provinces (including Newfoundland and Labrador). The wholesaler, which is dedicated to HVAC control parts for commercial buildings, is promoting the…
Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management and automation, and Panasonic Corporation recently announced an integrated HVAC equipment and building management solution. Both companies have developed an interface wireless solution, which enables direct serial communication between Schneider Electric’s building…
When troubleshooting commercial pumps it is always important to note the type of symptoms, the point at which the symptoms began and the time period over which the symptoms developed. In particular, consider whether something changed in the system prior…
Distech Controls, is the Gold Award Recipient in the Quality and Project category of the 2016 Canada Awards for Excellence. The win rewards Distech’s management model for continuous improvement and the achievement of significant operational results, as determined by stringent…
Winners of the New Product Competition at CIPHEX West are: Sunrise Tradex Corporation, The Mini: Movable Split Air Conditioner, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration; Viessmann Manufacuring Company, Vitosol FM, Alternative Energy (Solar, Geothermal, etc.): tekmar Control Systems (A Watts Brand), WiFi…
A furnace tune-up is really a comprehensive maintenance job. Contractors know that it is essential to maintain a long-term relationship with every customer by providing timely preventive maintenance (PM) at least once per year. It is better to work with…
Many systems with renewable energy heat sources also have large thermal storage tanks. Examples include systems using biomass boilers and solar thermal collectors. I call these heat sources “wild” since they can operate over a wide range of conditions and…
The key to a properly operating walk-in box system starts with a good design and the basis of a good design is to accurately determine what the refrigeration heat load is. To do this one has to realize that heat…
