Topic
Hydronics
Viega showcases expansion and new training centre
August 21, 2019Viega recently celebrated the opening of a seminar centre in its new headquarters in Broomfield, CO. This is the company’s second training centre in the United States. The Colorado Seminar Center joins the New Hampshire Seminar Center in Nashua in…
Taco awards Mike Miller, Darron Desroches for North American sales
July 5, 2019Taco Comfort Solutions has awarded sales managers for its commercial and wholesale businesses
Registration open for Modern Hydronics Summit 2019
June 11, 2019Join HPAC on September 19, 2019, for a one-of-a-kind conference and trade show dedicated exclusively to the hydronics market. Modern Hydronics-Summit 2019 is conveniently located at the International Centre by Toronto’s Pearson Airport. You will see the latest technologies and…
Expansion tank dos and don’ts
May 24, 2019 by John SiegenthalerWhen water is heated the space required for each molecule increases. Any attempt to prevent this expansion will be met by tremendous forces. If a strong metal container is completely filled with liquid water and sealed from the atmosphere it…
Multiple condensing boiler plants come of age
May 24, 2019 by Rob WatersInnovative features, along with new design strategies & installation techniques address previous issues. Multiple condensing boiler plants now provide countless buildings with reliable, efficient, integrated and effective hydronic heating systems. It has not always been this way. It has taken…
Hydronic heating for residential applications
May 10, 2019The Ampex® Insulated Pex Panel by Amvic Building System is an under-concrete insulated PEX panel for hydronic radiant heating installations. It has been specifically designed to provide easier, faster and more cost effective installation and performance for Hydronic Radiant in-floor heating systems.…
CIPH Ontario region AGM attracts record attendance
April 11, 2019Leadership proved to be a popular topic at the third CIPH Ontario Region Business Meeting and annual general meeting held today (April 11, 2019) with more than 150 in attendance. Keynote speaker Chris Cummins discussed the traits and actions of…
Mechanical system stands the test of time
March 24, 2019 by Robert WatersTwenty-two years ago, my wife and I built a house in the north end of Guelph, ON. At the time we had been married for almost five years, had one child with another soon to arrive and we wanted to…
“Pay for what you use” heat metering technology gains traction
March 7, 2019 by John SiegenthalerBuildings such as apartments and condominiums are home to families with different comfort preferences or attitudes on energy use. Similarly, many commercial buildings are divided into spaces where tenants have different temperature requirements or usage schedules. In some buildings, the…
Establish physically and chemically clean surfaces inside piping
February 25, 2019 by John SiegenthalerWater is the “life-blood” of hydronic systems. Its chemical characteristics can make the difference between a system that lasts for decades, versus one that develops expensive corrosion issues within months of commissioning. We discussed the advantages of establishing and maintaining…
Industry reacts to NRCan proposed equipment efficiency regulations
February 22, 2019 by HPAC MagazineIn October 2018 Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) published new proposed energy efficiency regulations for heating equipment in the Canada Gazette Part 1. These proposed regulations are part of Amendment 15 to the Energy Efficiency Act and introduce new or increased…
The case for synchronized loops
February 20, 2019 by John SheffA building’s hydronic HVAC system is rarely just the sum of its parts. The system is comprised of chillers, boilers, pumps, variable frequency drives (VFDs), air handling units (AHUs) and valves that create a loop through which water is circulated…
Small scale hydronic cooling
February 15, 2019 by John SiegenthalerHydronic heating has long been known for providing superior cold weather comfort. Even so, the question that often comes from potential clients who are already convinced about of the benefits of hydronic heating, is: “What do I do about cooling?”…
Superior durability and thermal performance for Snow Melt applications
January 3, 2019The Ampex Insulated PEX Panel is designed for a cost-effective installation of hydronic radiant in-floor heating systems. The panel is a combination of EPS molded to a high impact polystyrene film resulting in a stronger, resilient interlocking panel. It is…
Keep heat produced by auxiliary boilers out of thermal storage
December 13, 2018 by John SiegenthalerMost hydronic heating systems that have renewable energy heat sources, such as solar thermal collectors, an air-to-water or geothermal heat pump, or a biomass boiler, also have an auxiliary boiler. Many of these systems also have one or more thermal…
Step-by-step prep: Preparing condensing boilers for winter
December 12, 2018 by Rob WatersEvery year the impending winter season prompts Canadians to prepare for winter. Safely storing summer gear, closing the pool or cottage, putting snow tires on our vehicles are things we know we have do before old man winter arrives with…
Baxi expands North American operations, appoints sales director
December 11, 2018Baxi S.p.A is extending its operations in Canada. The Italian company announced plans to transfer all North American business and support to its North American factory operations. Baxi North America, headquartered in Utica, NY, will now be exclusively distributed through…
Solution on the horizon for hydronics “crisis” in Alberta
November 19, 2018Radiant heating systems can now be installed in Alberta without adhering to former insulation requirements set forth in section 9.36 of the National Model Energy Code for Buildings. The provincial building administrator and provincial plumbing/gas administrator have developed a Standata…
The keys to optimal radiant system performance
November 9, 2018 by Mike MillerControls 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…
When to use a three-pipe buffer tank configuration
November 5, 2018 by John SiegenthalerWhen it comes to thermal storage tanks, there are many shapes, sizes and pressure ratings available, ranging from tanks that resemble (or are) domestic water heaters to larger ASME-certified pressure vessels. In most hydronic thermal storage applications, it is desirable…
Viega introduces plumbing and hydronics education program
November 1, 2018Viega has rolled out its trades education program, a supplement to school curriculum on the design, installation and function of plumbing and hydronic systems. The Viega Trades Education Network (VTEN) program offers complete tooling packages, access to LoopCAD radiant heating…
Make the right choice: An overview of new plumbing and hydronic valves
October 26, 2018 by Kevin Freidt and Mark OlsonSeveral 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…
CIPHEX West speaker lineup tackles forefront industry topics
October 3, 2018The Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating Exposition (CIPHEX) West will return to Calgary, AB, on November 7 and 8, 2018. The trade show features more than 250 global exhibitors. It will focus on plumbing, hydronics, HVAC/R and water treatment.…
Boiler maintenance to-do list
August 30, 2018 by Tim KaneOne of the biggest thieves of efficiency in boiler operations is the accumulation of soot and/or scale on heat exchanger surfaces. It does not take long for soot to start causing significant loss of energy efficiency. In a matter of…
Change of vision with differential temperature control
August 29, 2018 by David ConnorsOver 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…
How to align expectations of hydronic systems with reality
August 29, 2018 by Mike MillerIt 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…
How effectively are contractors integrating solar into hydronic systems?
August 28, 2018 by Rob WatersThere is currently a lot of attention being devoted to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings. One of the primary methods that governments are using to meet their goals is to tighten up building codes to require super-insulated and…
The diminutive cost of operating a well-designed hydronic distribution system
August 28, 2018 by John SiegenthalerMany hydronic heating professionals like to promote that the modern boilers they install are capable of operating with thermal efficiencies in the range of 95 +/- per cent. Professionals who install geothermal heat pumps often boast that their equipment is…
An abridged review of noise sources and methods to control sound transmission
August 24, 2018 by Robert BeanSound complaints are the number one indoor environmental quality problem in buildings today, surpassing thermal comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ) and lighting quality in the hierarchy of occupant discomfort. Objections can be anything from chatter in offices, to the neighbour’s…
PPI launches webinar on design, installation of hydronic snow and ice melting systems
August 17, 2018The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) is hosting a webinar on hydronic snow and ice melting systems, intended for mechanical engineers, designers, contractors, building owners, facility managers and architects. Held in conjunction with its education partner RedVector, the first webinar…