Articles
Update: Measurement Canada to approve thermal energy meters within the year
July 12, 2019 by Kerry TurnerUpdate: The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada reports that the timeframe for implementation of thermal metering regulations has been altered. The new version is found in Bulletin V-31—Implementation of thermal energy meter requirements. It updates the timelines…
Cooling systems meet the challenge of power-dense data centres
May 28, 2019 Jillian MorganIt is no easy task to cool power-hungry data centres. Operators rely on efficient and cost-effective cooling systems to combat climbing power densities, which can reach upwards of 50 kilowatts per rack – the physical structure used to house the…
Is your client’s compressor ready for the summer heat?
May 28, 2019 Dave DemmaOther than the cost there are no serious arguments against performing preventive maintenance on air-conditioning and/or refrigeration equipment. And to the customers who would balk at paying a qualified technician to merely “maintain” their equipment, the only response to them…
Luxury plumbing sees wellness, sustainable technology and natural materials trend upward
May 27, 2019 Jillian MorganThe luxury plumbing market leaves no stone unturned. From the sink to the shower, manufacturers have taken a fresh approach to functionality and style in upscale environments. The trend towards wellness and sustainability has driven a demand for natural materials,…
The overlooked technology
May 27, 2019 Lance MacNevinBy its very nature, the engineering profession is based on the constant search for new and better ways of accomplishing a task. However, there is also a well-known human tendency to do things the way we have always done them.…
Expansion tank dos and don’ts
May 24, 2019 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 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…
Service vehicle report: Heavy-duties get an overhaul
May 23, 2019 Jil McIntoshBefore you buy a service vehicle be sure the model you select does exactly what you need it to do. One of the toughest decisions any business owner has to make is knowing when to save and when to spend.…
Air conditioning system procedures
May 23, 2019 Ian McTeerEvaluating the performance of a cooling system requires the use of accurate tools and techniques. Many of you will be familiar with the proverb “the proof of the pudding is in the eating” meaning something can only be a success…
Faucets and fixtures facilitate flexibility, individuality
March 28, 2019 Jillian MorganFor homeowners, customization is key. In the residential space, individual flare takes precedence over the latest trends. Whether it’s for the kitchen or the bathroom, brands are increasingly offering products that allow the end-user to create a tailored space. “Combining…
Closing the gap in building strategy
March 27, 2019 John SheffPowerful trends in today’s marketplace demand new approaches to buildings–including calls for greater energy efficiency, health, comfort, and performance reliability. But the call for new approaches is also controversial, first and foremost because of cost. The marketplace is neither structured…
Augmented reality, virtual reality: industry game changers
March 26, 2019 Jillian MorganDespite being largely relegated to the classroom, augmented reality and virtual reality offer mechanical contractors a number of benefits in the field. Troubleshooting equipment with a smart phone and viewing the layout of a system on a construction site in…
Mechanical industry sees rise in wireless technology
March 25, 2019 Mike MillerWireless technology has been around in our businesses for at least three decades, or perhaps even longer. The first wireless devices I recall were thermostats that eliminated the wiring between the thermostat location and the mechanical equipment it controlled. Using…
Mechanical system stands the test of time
March 24, 2019 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…
Hybrid mechanical systems: here comes the future
March 23, 2019 Ian McTeerI had not had much to do with the concept of a hybrid anything before landing in the HVAC industry many decades ago. After a few years of learning about disparate topics stretching from gas heating to residential cooling, it…
Heat pump water heater potential remains unrealized
March 21, 2019 Steve GoldieI first wrote about heat pump water heaters (HPWH) almost a decade ago. At the time I was looking to highlight newer, innovative technologies and the HPWH seemed to qualify. After researching and writing that article I was impressed with…
Making the case for modular chillers
March 20, 2019 Dave DemmaModular, in terms of manufacturing, is not a new concept. There is a certain logic to it: manufacturing cataloged production models rather than custom models is certainly more cost effective, and building and/or assembling in a manufacturing plant versus onsite…
Mastering the art and science behind ideal environments
March 8, 2019 Robert BeanThis continues to shock many readers but as I have said repeatedly the construction industry does not exist to employing building professionals. The industry exists to create spaces for humans because without shelter for protection we would not be able…
“Pay for what you use” heat metering technology gains traction
March 7, 2019 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…
How to solve the top three electrical problems in mechanical systems
March 4, 2019 Curtis BennettWhen I was asked to do an article on three common electrical problems, I thought “What, only three?” Keep in mind that I do come at this from a slightly different angle than an installer might. At my “day job”…
Tips for walk-in box maintenance
March 2, 2019 Dave DemmaWalk-in boxes are an essential component of commercial applications such as convenience stores, grocery stores and restaurants. Without them it would be difficult for these businesses to maintain a steady supply of products that require refrigeration, either to maintain their…
Students test the limits of sustainable construction with a tiny net-zero energy and water house
February 26, 2019 by Jillian MorganThe Northern Nomad claims a mere 220 square feet of Carleton University campus in Ottawa, ON. An emblem of sustainable construction, this tiny house is big on efficiency. Built by a group of students to withstand the northern climate, the…
Establish physically and chemically clean surfaces inside piping
February 25, 2019 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 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…
Non-residential faucet and fixture market opens the tap on innovation
February 18, 2019 by Jillian MorganIt has to start somewhere. Pressure to meet evolving regulations and sustainability-focused targets on industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) projects has paved the way for innovative products that address the unique needs of hotels, healthcare facilities, schools and restaurants. ICI…
Small scale hydronic cooling
February 15, 2019 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?”…
New heat pump technology remedies past issues
February 15, 2019 Ian McTeerCertainly all of us have been truly disappointed by something or other at least once in our lives. Perhaps your new service vehicle spends more time in the shop than on the road or you are working for a seemingly…
What to consider when specifying linear drains
December 17, 2018 Elena Doxey and Christie BacchioniLinear drains have become top-of-mind, no matter what trade you are in (architecture, design, remodeling, general contracting, or plumbing). With linear drains, it is all about trying to achieve a sleek, open look for a client’s bathroom. Luckily, the process…
Convectors may be a solution for buildings with complex heating needs
December 14, 2018 Jim HerringOffices, hotels, schools, retail stores, sports facilities and other building types typically have rooms that can be efficiently heated by the use of electric heaters, such as convectors, radiant ceiling panels or infrared radiant heaters. For these applications, the “appearance”…