CSHQA, an award-winning design firm in Boise, Idaho, leads by example and adapts to changing practices and technologies in business, architecture and engineering. When renovating its new office, the firm decided to install radiant heating and cooling. After completing energy modeling and cost comparisons for six different systems, the team decided on the Viega ProRadiant Read more
Hydronics
CSHQA, an award-winning design firm in Boise, Idaho, leads by example and adapts to changing practices and technologies in business, architecture and engineering. When renovating its new office, the firm decided to install radiant heating and cooling. After completing energy modeling and cost comparisons for six different systems, the team decided on the Viega ProRadiant solution.
The radiant floor heating and cooling system required 4.6 miles of Viega PEX Barrier tubing to be installed along with more than 12,000 square feet of Viega insulating panels. Viega technical services assisted in finalizing the design, fine-tuning the layout and zones, as well as provided support throughout the process.
Commissioning results show the building’s Energy Use Intensity (EUI) at approximately one-third the level that is standard for commercial office buildings in Idaho. When the project was finished, CSHQA chose to showcase part of the radiant flooring under a glass panel since it was one of the few building systems that was not visible.
The CSHQA office project was completed to LEED Platinum standards with official certification expected in 2015. The building is the largest in the state of Idaho to be cooled with a geothermal system and receive merit recognition by ENR Mountain States as a2014 Best Project.
LEESBURG, Va. — REHAU announces the launch of an advanced new weather-sensing control module developed for use with REHAU hydronic snow and ice melting (SIM) systems. The REHAU Smart Controls SIM Module also features an automated option that allows the system to operate with optimum efficiency. REHAU’s innovative hydronic SIM system is designed to Read more
LEESBURG, Va. — REHAU announces the launch of an advanced new weather-sensing control module developed for use with REHAU hydronic snow and ice melting (SIM) systems. The REHAU Smart Controls SIM Module also features an automated option that allows the system to operate with optimum efficiency.
REHAU’s innovative hydronic SIM system is designed to quickly and efficiently remove snow and ice from vehicle or pedestrian pathways. SIM systems minimize snow removal and accompanying costs, as well as the need to apply salt or other melting agents that can be corrosive to outdoor surfaces and detrimental to the environment. Installed underneath or embedded within an outdoor surface such as concrete, asphalt or paving stones, the system includes RAUPEX® pipe, the EVERLOC® compression-sleeve fitting system and PRO-BALANCE® manifolds.
REHAU Smart Controls SIM Module
The SIM controls module employs the unique ability to “listen” to the weather forecast via web-enabled access to the National Weather Service (NOAA) and Environment Canada. Using the weather data and temperature sensors installed within the melting area, the control chooses an automatic idle temperature setting to warm the slab so that melting begins at the first sign of snow or ice. To save energy, the control turns the system off once the surface is dry.
“The REHAU hydronic SIM system combined with our Smart Controls SIM module provides a sensible alternative to the annual expense and complication of manual snow and ice removal,” said Ollie Carman, applications engineer at REHAU. “In comparison, operating costs are usually much lower while the ability to effortlessly maintain safer outdoor surfaces during winter provides unparalleled convenience.”
The SIM control module’s web-enabled feature also allows the system to be controlled remotely from any internet-accessible device. In addition, the module is flexible, scalable and programmed to meet a range of requirements including unlimited snow melting zones and priority scheduling to clear crucial areas such as walkways and entrances first. The SIM module can be used independently or integrated with a REHAU Smart Controls indoor comfort control system.
LEBANON, TN – March 12, 2015 – Lochinvar has named the latest winners of the VIP Installation Showcase and the VIP Drawing for the 2014-2015 heating season. Nathan White of White’s Plumbing & Heating in Kenai, Alaska was named the February winner of the VIP Installation Showcase, and Joseph DiPietro of DiPietro Heating & Cooling Read more
LEBANON, TN – March 12, 2015 – Lochinvar has named the latest winners of the VIP Installation Showcase and the VIP Drawing for the 2014-2015 heating season. Nathan White of White’s Plumbing & Heating in Kenai, Alaska was named the February winner of the VIP Installation Showcase, and Joseph DiPietro of DiPietro Heating & Cooling in Bradford, Massachusetts was selected in the season’s fifth monthly VIP drawing. Both contractors will each receive an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Lochinvar’s Nashville Experience this June. The prize also includes tickets to the world’s largest country music festival.
An Impressive Installation
White’s entry in the VIP Installation Showcase, which is housed on Lochinvar’s Facebook page as well as on www.knightheatingboiler.com, featured two 155,000 Btu/Hr. KNIGHT® Wall-Mount Heating Boilers and one 80-gallon Squire Stainless Steel Indirect Water Heater being used to convert a 7,900 square feet, 14-zone home in Homer, Alaska to natural gas from fuel oil. After receiving numerous votes, White’s entry was selected by a panel of Lochinvar judges as the February winner.
“We chose to install two Lochinvar KNIGHT boilers for their state-of-the-art fire tube heat exchangers and their space-saving wall-mounted design,” said White. “We’re excited to see the installations improve the home’s efficiency, and it’s an honor to be recognized by Lochinvar with the VIP Installation Showcase award.”
Through April 2015, approved contractors can upload a photo and brief description of any eligible boiler installation to the contest interface. Qualified products include the high-efficiency KNIGHT® (55,000 – 399,000 Btu/hr models), Solution™ and Cadet® Boilers, as well as the Squire® Indirect Water Heater.
Once an entry has been submitted, it is featured in a gallery where Facebook users can vote for their favorite installations. Each month of the Showcase, the top three entries with the most votes are selected as finalists, and a panel of Lochinvar judges chooses the winner.
If an Installation Showcase entry is not named a winner in the month it was registered, there’s still a chance it may win in a later month. While VIP Contractors can only win the Nashville Experience once per year, submissions continue to be eligible to win even after the first month they are entered.
Rewards for Registrations
In addition to White, DiPietro was also named a winner in the VIP Contractor Program for February. DiPietro was randomly selected in the monthly drawing for approved VIP Contractors. Every approved VIP Contractor is entered into a monthly drawing to win the Nashville Experience. For every qualified boiler registration, VIPs receive a Visa® Reward Card pre-loaded with $25 value. Each registration of the Squire Indirect Water Heater earns a card pre-loaded with $10 value.
“It is awesome that I won Lochinvar’s Nashville Experience,” said DiPietro. “I am a firm believer in Lochinvar’s reliability that is delivered through their high efficiency products, and I cannot wait to spend a few days in a great city, touring Lochinvar’s headquarters and visiting some old college friends.”
During the all-expenses-paid trip for two, winners and their guests will stay at Nashville’s Omni Hotel, a short walk from the ultimate experience for any country music fan. As part of the Nashville Experience, the winning VIP Contractors will also tour Lochinvar’s world headquarters and take part in a round-table discussion where they can share insights and information with Lochinvar executives.
For more information about the VIP Contractor Program, visit knightheatingboiler.com.
Challenged by an improperly installed heating system resulting in a house that was either above 80° or below 60°F, Joseph Keyes of Heat Tek Heating and Plumbing (Johnson City, N.Y.) was tasked with solving the problem. He first separated the house into four zones. He then created a primary/secondary system using a Caleffi hydraulic separator Read more
Challenged by an improperly installed heating system resulting in a house that was either above 80° or below 60°F, Joseph Keyes of Heat Tek Heating and Plumbing (Johnson City, N.Y.) was tasked with solving the problem. He first separated the house into four zones. He then created a primary/secondary system using a Caleffi hydraulic separator and sized all circulators for precise flow. A Caleffi AutoFill fill valve and QuickSetter balancing valve were also utilized. Not only were the expectations of the home owner AND Mr. Keyes’ himself exceeded, his installation was the January winning entry in the Caleffi Excellence contest.
Heat Tek’s winning entry was determined by most audience votes received during a recently held Coffee with Caleffi webinar. Mr. Keyes was presented with an iPadTM mini by Tom Mahon (Northeast Sales Associates) and Roger Corrente (Caleffi North America). Joe is now a contender for the grand prize: a trip to our global headquarters in Italy. After 12 months, the grand prize winner will be chosen from the 12 monthly winners by a panel of industry experts and Caleffi executives.
It’s not too late to share your design innovation in the Excellence contest. Visit us.caleffiexcellence.com for contest details.
Taco’s popular FloPro Factory Training program will resume this year, with the first class on April 30 to May 1 to take place at Taco’s Innovation & Development Center (IDC) in Cranston, RI. In response to requests from residential contractors and installers who have participated in Taco online training, 2015 Factory Training will focus Read more
Taco’s popular FloPro Factory Training program will resume this year, with the first class on April 30 to May 1 to take place at Taco’s Innovation & Development Center (IDC) in Cranston, RI.
In response to requests from residential contractors and installers who have participated in Taco online training, 2015 Factory Training will focus on the company’s most popular course: “Residential Hydronics: Advanced Soup to Variable Speed Nuts.” For more information and to register go to: http://flopro.taco-hvac.com/2015flopro_training.html
Trade professionals have five opportunities this year to experience the highly acclaimed program. All classes will be held in Taco’s state-of-the-art IDC training facility. Seating is strictly limited for all courses, so register early to assure your place on the dates of your choice.
In this updated and comprehensive, two-day course, John Barba guides participants through every vital step of designing and installing an efficient, modern residential hydronic system. Attendees will learn these essentials:
- Heat loss — How to determine the heat loss of any structure.
- The Universal Hydronics Formula — The essential building block for all hydronic systems.
- Circulator sizing — How to choose the best circulator for every job.
- Understanding pipe sizing — Piping, air control and near-boiler piping, including trunk and branch systems, one-pipe primary-secondary layouts, “moose antler” piping and hydraulic separators.
- Low voltage wiring — Get a working knowledge of low voltage wiring, plus the pros and cons of zoning with zone valves versus zoning with circulators.
- Domestic hot water systems — From ratings, output and spec sheets to making the most of indirect systems.
- Operating costs — Understanding the real dollars and cents of any system, plus how to decide whether to replace or improve a system, and five ways to make any system more efficient.
Like all FloPro Factory Training courses, “Residential Hydronics” focuses on real-world solutions to the problems you encounter daily in the field and offers ample opportunities for hands-on learning, plus plenty of interaction with the instructor and classmates
2015 Factory Training Dates
* April 30 – May 1
* June 18-19 (SOLD OUT)
* August 20-21 (SOLD OUT)
* September 24-25
* October 22-23
All courses include hotel accommodations, ground transportation between Providence Airport, Taco and the hotel, breakfast and lunch on Thursday and Friday, as well as dinner and entertainment Thursday evening. Airfare is not included. Click for more information and to register: http://flopro.taco-hvac.com/2015flopro_training.html
Act now to reserve your seat. Factory Training is available exclusively to members of the Taco FloPro Team. Joining the team is easy and free for any residential installer or contractor.
If you’re a residential installer or contractor and not yet a FloPro Team member, please go to www.flopro.taco-hvac.com to get your free membership.