We live in a world where, for the most part, theoretical ideals can only be approached rather than fully realized. For example, imagine a building with heat loss characteristics such that the rate of heat loss always matched the rate…
When you are involved in a bathroom renovation, you are not just creating a practical bathing space. For most people, the bathroom has become a personal sanctuary. It is not just a place to wash off the grit. It is…
Building automation and advancements in efficiency have exponentially increased over the last few decades, bringing about a new era in industry. With this, a whole new series of electronic devices have been integrated in large commercial buildings and in industrial…
Everyone involved in HVAC and refrigeration works with electric motors almost every day. Whether designing new products, specifying equipment, installing, maintaining or repairing a variety of heating, ventilation or cooling products, an electric motor and its needs are regularly the…
Cold winter months keep Canadians indoors a great deal more than their southern climate counterparts. Staying indoors longer can be detrimental to health, particularly when you consider the trend toward tighter and more energy efficient home construction mandated by recent…
Economic challenges. Droughts. Green initiatives. Laws and standards. It is hard to pinpoint one single reason water has risen to the forefront of the sustainability conversation in the past few years. But one thing is certain, as demand for greener…
When I was in high school, the cost of gasoline was seldom of concern. I drove a 1957 Chevy Bel Air, with a modified 409 engine in it, and I do not think I ever thought to check what the…
Installed in every building, water heaters are one of the most common mechanical appliances, with thousands installed every day in Canada. Installations are done by anyone from skilled mechanical contractors, to do-it-yourselfers, and anyone in between. In most cases a…
Using an oversized lift on indoor worksites is sometimes like attacking a mosquito with a baseball bat. It is impractical, unsafe and might do more damage than good. Low-level scissor lifts are great tools for indoor projects, such as installing…
Attendance ramped up compared to last year for the 49th-annual conference of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) in Quebec City. Held August 16-18, the event saw changes to the organization that included Bruce Passmore appointed…
It’s hard to stop a…” Admit it; I know you just filled in the blank. That’s OK, years of persistent marketing works wonders, but it does not mean other top brands aren’t capable of providing reliable service year after year.…
Part-time CFOs may be an answer for small- to mid-sized businesses. I had lunch with an old friend recently. Matt has a family owned HVAC business – it is now in its second generation. “You must be feeling good,” I…
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…
Though not a new concept, the intentional practice of calculating in detail how a building will use energy is a critical, yet often overlooked, step in building development. At its core, energy modeling is the practice of using software to…
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC AT MODERN HYDRONICS-SUMMIT 2017. LANCE WILL BE DISCUSSING HYDRONIC SNOW AND ICE MELTNG SYSTEMS IN MORE DETAIL AT THE SUMMIT. As I write this it is hard to think about winter, but I am pretty…
Two common problems resulting from poor water quality are excessive corrosion and limescale accumulation. In Part I (HPAC, February 2017) we examined corrosion. The following is a closer look at limescale accumulation. In North America the dissolved mineral content from…
Click here for sneak peek into Robert Bean’s presentation and the opening Siggy & the Bean session. Modern Hydronics-Summit 2017 will be held September 14, 2017 at the International Centre in Mississauga, ON. From the trade show floor where more…
During the 35+ years that I have been involved in the North American hydronics industry there have been significant improvements in the thermal efficiency of hydronic heat sources. The 1960s vintage ranch house that I grew up in is a…
In my travels I have many opportunities to visit and interact with HVAC/R contractors. In the course of these visits, a frequent topic of discussion is refrigerant conversions. After the typical “what’s the best replacement for R-22”, and “do we…
Modern Hydronics-Summit 2017 will be held September 14, 2017 at the International Centre in Mississauga, ON. From the trade show floor where more than 50 exhibitors will be available to talk to you, one-on-one, about the latest hydronic product offerings,…
Strengthening regional representation and ensuring money earmarked for climate change projects is spent wisely are among top priorities for Bruce Passmore, who was appointed chair of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) at the organization’s 49th-annual…
When it comes to the selection and sizing of your boiler many people get a little confused as to what all the different ratings mean and which rating you should use. Take a look at a manufacturers’ specification sheet and…
Every industry has its heroes, including HVAC/R. People such as Michael Faraday, Willis Carrier, Fredrick McKinley Jones and Thomas Midgley Jr. provided a large measure of inspiration for me as I progressed through the science of refrigeration and air conditioning.…
While consumer vehicles are constantly being tweaked to capture buyers’ interest, commercial vehicles are more about practicality than pizzazz. The most remarkable changes in the commercial vehicle offering for 2017 are in the heavy-duty pickup segment, with an all-new Super…
Over the years I spent as a plumber I was probably involved in at least two hundred plumbing inspections. I actually used to enjoy the ritual of getting my work prepared for inspection, filling the stacks, pressurizing the water lines,…
After the Montreal Protocol began the phase-out of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants in 1987, the HVAC industry began to test alternative refrigerants. Since then, the industry’s primary concern has been “safety first.” This does not mean just environmental safety, but also…
Wet-rotor circulators have been used in millions of residential and light commercial hydronic systems over the last four decades. Many hydronic pros consider them “commodity” components. They are available from a long list of suppliers, most of which provide equivalency…
Most heating professions are very familiar with the principals of radiant floor heating systems and how they work. These systems have become an accepted part of the HVAC offering of many engineers and contractors, as they have proven to offer…
Information technology advancements are bringing about a product revolution with smart, connected products that are more available and affordable than ever before. Near ubiquitous wireless connectivity, coupled with improvements in processing power and device miniaturization, have resulted in a wave…
Class is back in session and the teachers have a little more help this year. The renovated Steinbach Regional Secondary School in Steinbach, MB, is assisting the faculty with a great lesson for the students on the environment and the…
