ShopTalk

Electronic mixing valves are a rapidly growing technology for domestic hot water systems. The reliability and serviceability of the Caleffi LEGIOMIX® make it a great fit for new construction and replacement work. How can engineers and plumbers best utilize the latest in electronic mixing valve technology? What tips from the design and installation phases help streamline the process? Cody Mack and Dan Firkus will walk the Coffee with Caleffi™ audience through this emerging sector of mixing valves at the next webinar on Thursday, Sept. 29 from 12 noon – 1:00 p.m. CDT.

Mack has nearly 20 years’ experience as installation contractor, service technician, application engineer, training manager and now product manager for Caleffi. Our audience will appreciate his thoughtful yet humorous content delivery combined with his practical, common sense product approach.

Firkus has 25 years’ of field experience as an installation contractor plus three years of application engineer experience at Caleffi, assisting wholesalers, engineers and installers. Recently promoted to OEM Sales Manager, his well-rounded and realistic technical background provides a firm foundation for our audience.

The monthly educational webinars are free and are intended for engineers, contractors, designers and wholesalers. A Certificate of Attendance is emailed to attendees following the event for continuing education audits.

Please visit our website at www.caleffi.us for schedule details and registration.

The Lowe’s MVPs Pro Rewards and Partnership Program is a new approach that flips traditional loyalty programs on their heads to deliver real solutions and benefits Pros need to succeed. The new program comes at a time when 90% of Pros say it’s important that retailers have valuable loyalty programs, and according to new findings from Lowe’s, Pros also voiced the need for retailers to bring more than rewards to the table.

• Lowe’s e-gift cards earned when Pros spend in-store and online on eligible purchases**
• Access to business resources helping Pros tackle back-of-house operations
• Exclusive offers for rewards on eligible paint purchases** and free select snacks or drinks** at Lowe’s stores
• A chance to win incredible prizes like Ford F-Series trucks that serve as many Pros’ mobile offices and custom-built local advertising packages***
• A simple mobile and online user experience allowing Pros to track and claim rewards even when sending a crew member into the store
• And, coming soon, MVPs Bonus Points that can be used for additional exciting rewards helping Pros invest in their businesses and themselves

“We’re deepening our partnership with Pro customers because when they succeed, we succeed,” said Tony Hurst, Senior Vice President Pro, Services and International. “Lowe’s MVPs Pro Rewards is another big step in Lowe’s continued Total Home strategy when it comes to the important Pro customer. We are committed to a true business partnership mindset to help Pros as they grow their businesses and their futures.”

Nearly 90% of Pros say it’s important for retailers to have valuable loyalty programs as Pros also voiced the need for retailers to offer solutions to propel their business forward, according to Lowe’s first annual Lowe’s State of the Pro report, found online at Lowes.com/StateOfThePro.  An industry-leading study, the report contains insights from Pros and their customers, detailing the state of the home industry and trends in homeowner improvement plans, and priority projects in 2022.

For more information on the latest for Pros, please visit Lowes.com/Pro.

Demineralizing water will prevent corrosion from occurring in a hydronic system, right?

Wrong

By demineralizing, we mean removing the ions from the water until it is purified and has zero conductivity. In theory, this sounds ideal for the system however, where there’s oxygen; there’s corrosion!

Regardless of how purified the water is, oxidation of the water will start the process of corrosion. Keeping water purified requires 0.1 PPM or less of oxygen in it, which is A. pretty much impossible, even in a closed loop system, and B. is hard to measure.

How does oxygen enter a closed loop hydronic system?

Oxygen can enter a system, old or new, in multitude of ways. Membranes, rubbers, joints, and faulty AAV’s can suck oxygen into the water. Not forgetting that most boilers now have auto-fill valves, and as soon as new water is introduced to a new system, so is oxygen.

All new components are exposed to oxygen and other contaminants during the manufacturing, transportation, and storage process. Fluxes can build up on the inside of components such as pipework during installation, and air pockets are very common when filling a new system. All of these factors lead to an introduction of oxygen in the system, and that’s when the process of corrosion begins. Remember – corrosion is a natural process that cannot be completely stopped, but it can be prevented in new systems and significantly slowed down in existing systems.

How does oxygen in a system cause corrosion, and what affect can it have on the system?

As oxygen enters a system and mixes with the dissimilar metals and the water, it oxidizes which leads to an increase in iron levels. Oxygen can also bring ions into the water, therefore increasing conductivity, causing further corrosion.

This process can also lead to magnetite build up, which is insoluble iron and is the number one cause of hydronic heating system issues such as faulty thermostats and controls, fouled EMCs, worn pump seals, heat exchanger failures, pipework pin-holes, and system blockages.

So, if purifying the water isn’t the solution, what is?

The ideal solution is to test, clean, protect and maintain the system. This controls pH, the oxygen, and the alkalinity of the water, preventing reactions and corrosion to occur.

Test

The first step to diagnosing the root cause of systems issues or preventing any damage/failures from occurring in new systems is to test the quality of the water. ADEY’s corrosion, pH, and inhibitor will identify whether corrosion has built up, or is building in the system, and provides recommendations on how to restore/treat the system water.

Will a TDS test not identify this?

Testing for TDS (total dissolved solids) tests for everything dissolved in the water which includes iron, copper, chlorides, nitrates, and sulfates. Even cleaner residues, flux residues, and the addition of inhibitor can increase TDS and conductivity, so the answer is no, testing for TDS should not be used to test for corrosion in a system. Testing for TDS should also not be used to identify water hardness. Calcium and magnesium salts cause hardness, but TDS is for all dissolved solids rather than just calcium  and magnesium salts specifically, so this is not a true indication of hardness levels in a system. A specific hardness test should be used to test for hard or soft water.

Clean

On any system, it is key to have an air eliminator. An air and dirt separator should be installed on the supply side of the system to aid air removal. On an existing system, first try bleeding any radiators, upgrade failing parts, fix any leaks, and fully cleanse the system a cleaner such as ADEY’s MC3+® cleaner. The cleaner will lift and hold any existing magnetite, scale, and sediment in suspension, ready for it to be flushed out of the system. Similar to cleaning dishes with washing up liquid, adding heat will also aid the clean, so circulating the cleaner around the system while the system is on will increase the effectiveness of the clean.

Protect

For protection, a combination of a magnetic filter such as the MagnaClean® should be installed, and inhibitor such as ADEY’s MC1+® protector should be dosed into the system. Magnetic filters should be installed on the return just before the heat exchanger or boiler to prevent any magnetite from entering this most expensive component. It is also key to choose a filter with a larger magnet directly in the flow of water to aid capture, and of course, one that is easy-to-service.

This 3-step solution is the only way to truly prevent the buildup of magnetite and the costly problems it can cause.

Building information modeling (BIM) helps improve accuracy, efficiencies, job-site safety, productivity, and even profitability potential on commercial projects. With the use of BIM expanding, many contracting firms are now outsourcing work due to resource constraints.

However, before partnering with a BIM services provider, it’s important to do your research. Because BIM is a relatively new concept to the construction industry, experience is in short supply. Here are three points to consider along with an informative webinar series to provide guidance when considering a partnership with a BIM services provider.

Location

One of the most important points to consider when choosing a BIM services provider is their location. Some companies are located overseas, which can make live interactions or collaboration challenging. Be sure to choose a provider located in your region, or at least in your
country, so collaboration can happen in real time.

To find out how BIM services providers can benefit your business, watch this Introduction to Uponor BIM Services webinar.

Experience

Ensure the team you’re considering has the necessary knowledge and experience with codes and standards in your jurisdiction as well as specific construction practices in your area. For example, certain commercial projects, such as hospitals, may have certain construction methods that must be adhered to for code. It’s vital the BIM services team you’re partnering with knows these important details.

For information about what BIM services providers can offer, check out this Benefits of Partnering with Uponor BIM Services webinar.

Industry Affiliations

Be sure to partner with a team that has affiliations with industry organizations, such as the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA). This will ensure they’re up to date on all the important industry trends and application practices your project may require.

Not all BIM services providers are the same. Discover the Differentiation of Partnering with Uponor BIM Services with this final webinar in the series.

To learn more or to get started on your next project, visit uponor.com/bimservices.