Plumbing & HVAC Magazine

11/22/2024

Masco Canada Limited is donating $50,000 to the St. Thomas Elgin Hospital (STEGH) Foundation, located in St. Thomas, Ont.

The donation will support the hospital’s $8 million "Transforming Tomorrow Diagnostic Imaging" campaign, which will affect the diagnostic imaging department at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital and bring an MRI machine and associated care closer to home for residents.

Masco Canada Limited is donating $50,000 to the St. Thomas Elgin Hospital (STEGH) Foundation.

11/21/2024

City of Toronto has re-opened its application intake for its Home Energy Loan Program (HELP).

The program offers homeowners up to $125,000 in financing for home energy improvements.

Home energy improvements covered through the program include air-source heat pumps, window/door replacements, insulation (basement, attic, exterior wall), air sealing, geothermal systems, high-efficiency water heaters/furnaces/boilers/air conditioners, tankless water heaters, drain-water heat recovery systems, toilet replacements, solar hot water systems, rooftop solar PV panels, electric vehicle charging stations, and battery storage.

Once eligible, homeowners must book a home energy assessment before submitting a funding request. From there, homeowners will be sent a property owner agreement and once it has been signed and approved, 30 per cent of the funds will be provided to the homeowners.

After the home energy improvements have been completed, homeowners must submit a final project completion report.

Toronto's HELP program is offering homeowners up to $125,000 in financing for home energy improvements.

11/20/2024

The Master Group has opened the doors to its new LEED gold-certified distribution centre, located at 1601, rue René-Descartes, Suite 101 in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec.

The new $12 million distribution centre covers 300,000 sq. ft. and is automated, allowing for more efficient picking methods and multiple picking zones.

The centre features solar panels, high-efficiency mechanical systems, and rainwater harvesting systems to achieve its LEED gold status.

The Master Group has unveiled its new $12 million LEED Gold-certified distribution centre.

11/19/2024

Mitsubishi Electric announces the launch of a new line of products utilizing low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant.

The product line has been developed to meet or exceed applicable A2L standards and is designed for light commercial and residential heating and air conditioning applications. Specifically, the residential and mini-VRF products will feature R-454B, a next-generation A2L refrigerant with a GWP of just 466.

These products will be available in 2025.

Mitsubishi Electric announces the upcoming launch of a new product line utilizing a low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant.

11/19/2024

The Canadian Union of Postal Works has announced a nationwide strike after a 72-hour notice period.

After a year of bargaining, 55,000 postal workers are going on strike. According to the press release, workers’ demands include fair wages, safe working conditions, the right to retire with dignity, and expanding services at the public post office.

With mail services being impacted, the TSSA - Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA) recommends that its clients use the TSSA Client Portal to pay invoices, download certificates, registers, licenses, or other authorizations, and sign up for paperless invoicing to ensure continued compliance.

With the Canadian Union of Postal Works strike announcement, the TSSA is offering clients alternative mailing options.

11/17/2024

Armstrong Fluid Technology introduces new, larger sizes of the Design Envelope Tango, a compact, low-carbon dual pump that ensures uninterrupted service. It includes two motors and two impeller assemblies in a single casing.

Integrated valves can isolate one side of the pump for service without interrupting flow or affecting occupant comfort.

Armstrong Fluid Technology introduces new, larger sizes of the Design Envelope Tango, a compact, low-carbon dual pump.

11/16/2024

Wilo Group announces its new Atmos Tera-sch-he axially split case pump. Ideal for HVAC, water supply, and process applications, it has a head range of 65 ft. to 770 ft. and a flow range of 1,000 GPM to 20,500 GPM.

The centrifugal pump is available in a single-stage design and is delivered as a complete unit, including a pump with coupling, coupling guard, motor, and baseplate, or without motor or only pump hydraulics.

11/14/2024

Taco Comfort Solutions introduces its vertical multi-stage pump. It is available from five to 500 GPM, with all 315 stainless steel hydraulics for durability, efficiency, and performance. It features a head range of up to 750 ft. and has a maximum working pressure of up to 460 PSI.

Taco Comfort Solutions introduces its vertical multi-stage pump, available from five to 500 GPM.

11/14/2024

Ontario introduces changes to the building code that will allow for mass timber construction to reach up to 18 storeys high. All changes will come into effect on Jan. 1.

In addition, encapsulated mass timber construction will be allowed to have higher occupancies.

Administrative provisions from the 2012 building code will be moved into the 2024 building code to continue allowing temporary health and residential facilities.

The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has made amendments to Ontario's 2024 Building Code.

11/13/2024

FEATURE ARTICLES: The Future of Your Business by Ron Coleman.

Retirement is the top reason business owners cited for leaving their business, 75 per cent to be exact, while 22 per cent are burned out and 21 per cent want to step back from their responsibilities as owners. However, only one in 10 business owners have a formal business succession plan in place.

The most common obstacle to succession planning for half of small business owners is finding a suitable buyer or a successor. Nearly half of owners are struggling to measure the value of their business, while 39 per cent say the business is too reliant on them for day-to-day operations.

The most important factor for 90 per cent of owners looking to sell their business is ensuring their current employees are protected. It’s also important for them to get the highest possible price (84 per cent) and select the right buyer who will carry forward their way of doing business (84 per cent).

The most common obstacle to succession planning for most businesses is finding a suitable buyer or successor.

11/13/2024

Wait times for water licences under the Water Act in Alberta have decreased by 57 per cent over the past four years, according to the Alberta government.

“We are seeing real improvements that help communities grow and businesses succeed, but this is just the start. We are going to keep finding ways to increase transparency, and speed up and improve all of our regulatory processes,” shares Rebecca Schulz, minister of environment and protected areas, in a press release.

On average, approvals are not being delivered by 253 days sooner. At the same time, the average wait time for approvals under the Water Act has fallen by 31 per cent. On average, approvals are being delivered 70 days sooner.

The backlog of open applications longer than six months has declined by 68 per cent.

As of February 2024, water licenses issued under the Water Act and precedent legislation by the Alberta government before November 2021 will move to the digital regulatory assurance system. This online platform was designed to help licence holders compile and view all parts of their licence and activities subject to environmental regulation, according to the provincial government.

Alberta has reduced wait times for Water Act licences by 57 per cent to help businesses, landowners and communities manage water.

11/12/2024

An aquatic centre in Ontario is undergoing HVAC renovations. The Pyramid Recreation Centre will install a new HVAC unit and exhaust systems to enhance air quality and extend the life of its aquatic facility. Costing around $1.75 million, the project will be done by Elgin Contracting and Restoration Ltd.

The aquatic centre’s indoor pool is 20 years old and has seen its fair share of issues and closures. Specifically, the HVAC equipment for the pool has half the capacity needed for the size of the pool.

Upgrades for the centre include a new rooftop air-handling unit complete with exterior exposed ductwork and a new gas line; a new remote condensing unit; a new rooftop exhaust fan and associated low-level exhaust; a new high-level exposed aluminum supply duct and mid-return duct routed through existing change-room ceiling space; and a new automated control system.

The Pyramid Recreation Centre will install a new HVAC unit and exhaust systems to enhance air quality,

11/12/2024

Liberty Pumps Inc introduces its model 406 compact drain pump. Factory pre-assembled, it is ready to install right from the box. Its short profile design is ideal for compact areas, as it sits at 10-inches tall with a base-to-top inlet fl**ge.

Liberty Pump introduces its model 606 compact drain pump. Factory pre-assembled, it is ready to install right from the box.

11/11/2024

FEATURE ARTICLE: Emerging Trends and Challenges in Canadian HVAC/R.

Following the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement, almost nine years ago, Canada set in motion plans to reduce carbon emissions in various sectors of the economy. Among the more conspicuous policies introduced by the government was the highly visible (and widely disliked) price on carbon. In the buildings sector, which contributes between 10 per cent and 20 per cent of emissions in the country, programs like Greener Homes and net-zero energy ready building codes have made a small dent, but the needle hasn’t moved much. Despite its efforts, Canada lags behind all other G7 nations in reducing carbon emissions.

More recently, the main tool for accomplishing carbon emission reductions is the Green Buildings Strategy, described by Natural Resources Canada as a “bundle of policy measures aimed at promoting decarbonization in the buildings sector.”

Measured against expectations, the federal Green Buildings Strategy comes up short, mostly including measures that had already been announced in the prior six months.

The plan includes a commitment to reduce embodied carbon in federal investments in public infrastructure assets and ensuring all new federal buildings, including Crown Corporations’ buildings. There is the promise of a new version of Greener Homes called the “Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program,” which will offer larger grants covering the full costs for homeowners to convert to heat pumps in low-income-qualified households. All signs point towards a spring 2025 release date.

Canadian provinces and territories are set to adopt CSA B52 by the end of 2024, which marks the official adoption of A2L refrigerants into Canadian mechanical rooms.

11/11/2024

Residential and non-residential construction costs increased across Canada in the third quarter of 2024, reports Statistics Canada.

Residential building construction costs increased 0.9 per cent, following a one per cent increase last quarter.

Non-residential residential building construction costs also increased, up 0.5 per cent in the third quarter, following a 1.4 per cent increase in the previous quarter.

Residential and non-residential construction costs increased in the third quarter of 2024, reports Statistics Canada.

11/10/2024

Grundfos introduces its SEV and SE1 pumps, which are designed for handling wastewater, process water, and unscreened raw sewage in heavy-duty municipal, utility, and industrial applications.

Both pumps are available with single-channel or SuperVortex impellers, allowing for free passage of solids up to four-inches.

Grundfos introduces its SEV and SE1 pumps, which are designed for handling wastewater, process water, and unscreened raw sewage.

11/09/2024

Franklin Electric announces several product enhancements to its FPS submersible wastewater pump portfolio, including new NC series solids handling pump models and a design enhancement to its IGP series retrofit kit for grinder pumps.

New 4NCH models have been added to the lineup to deliver performance up to 20 horsepower.

Franklin Electric announces several product enhancements to its FPS submersible wastewater pump portfolio.

11/08/2024

FEATURE ARTICLE: Preventative Furnace Maintenance by Glenn Mellors.

In any household or building, the heating system is a critical component that provides warmth and comfort, particularly during the cold months. Among the different types of heating systems, the furnace is the most used in many regions around the world.

Furnaces, whether powered by natural gas, electricity, or oil, are subject to wear and tear over time. Moving parts, electrical connections, filters, and other components can degrade or malfunction if not properly maintained. Routine preventative maintenance ensures that the system is kept in good working order, allowing it to last longer.

One of the most significant benefits of preventative furnace maintenance is the improvement of energy efficiency. A furnace that is running efficiently will consume less energy, which directly translates into reduced utility bills. A poorly maintained furnace may have to work harder to heat a home, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and higher costs.

Preventative furnace maintenance also plays a critical role in improving indoor air quality. The furnace’s air filter is responsible for trapping dust, pollen, and other airborne particles, preventing them from circulating throughout the home. Over time, the air filter can become clogged with debris, reducing its effectiveness and allowing contaminants to enter the air supply.

The long-term savings and peace of mind that proper furnace maintenance provides is a worthwhile investment for homeowners/building managers.