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When Eric and John asked me to write a blog post on “Hydronics 101,” I have to admit I was a bit overwhelmed. Where on earth do you start? There’s boiler piping, pipe sizing, circulator selection, heat emitter selection, controls wiring, and so on.

There are so many avenues to take when it comes to “Hydronics 101” that choosing a starting point becomes quite a daunting task.

But then I thought of one of the very first training classes I ever did.

It was 1995 during a full-day program on radiant floor heating. We were going through the process of radiant design — figuring out installation method, tube spacing and water temperature. We were looking over charts and graphs to make heads or tails out of this radiant job when a fellow in the back of the room raised his hand.

“Don’t you have computer software that figures all this stuff out?”

Yep, we do.

“Then why are you wasting our time telling us all this? Just give us the software and we can go home.”

Ummm, it doesn’t quite work that way.

Design software, whether it’s for hydronics or forced air, is really nothing more than a fancy calculator. It does the arithmetic for you, and that’s about it. It doesn’t think for you, it doesn’t make decisions for you and it doesn’t tell you if you’ve input the wrong data.

It’s a calculator.

That’s it.

I like to ask folks in my classes how many of them have been formally trained in how to perform heat loss calculations. We call it “doing the math.”

As the years have gone by, fewer and fewer people raise their hands. No one’s teaching heat loss anymore, and I think it’s a shame. Knowing the actual heating load of a house or of a zone is the real “starting point” for beginning hydronics or for advanced hydronics.

How can you size a boiler if you don’t know the load? You can guess, but it’s just that: a guess. You can base your load on a standard BTU-per-square-foot multiplier, but that’s not a heat loss calculation. That’s just a guess with better PR. You can even measure the radiation, multiply by whatever multiplier you care to use and call that the load. But all that tells you is how much radiation is installed.

Good to know, but it doesn’t tell you the actual load of the house.

There’s no way around it: a good old-fashioned heat loss calculation is the only way of getting anywhere close to what the actual load of the house really is. Are “by-the-book” heat loss calculations 100% accurate? Nope — there’s so much fudge built in to the calculation methods out there that it’s a wonder we’re not all diabetic. But they’re still better than guessing.

During one of Taco’s Heat Loss classes a while back, the class was presented with a set of blueprints for normal, stick-framed house. There was nothing special about this house. It wasn’t super-insulated with super-low E windows or anything. It was a basic 2200 square foot ranch, with an outdoor design temperature of 7 degrees above Zero.

I asked the group, based on their years of knowledge and experience, to come up with their best, most accurate estimate for the heating load of the house. Their responses ranged anywhere from 55,000 BTUH on the low end to 125,000 BTUH on the high end.

The class then worked through an I-B-R based heat-loss analysis using the H-22 Heat Loss Design Guide (find it on Amazon under “Freaking Awesome Heat Loss Book!”). Using charts, graphs and real live, honest-to-goodness math, the class calculated the heat loss of that house to be a whopping 31,000 BTUH.

Well ain’t that a kick in the head!

Bottom line gang: any fundamentally sound hydronics system starts with the math. Heat load allows us to size our boiler and all of our piping as accurately as possible, which can have a major impact on materials costs. And only when we know the heating load and the size and length of the pipe that heat has to go through can we figure out what we need for a circulator, because load determines flow and pipe size and length determine head loss.

And weather impacts it all.

From there we can look at all the different types of circulators (steep curve, flat curve, single-speed, 3-speed, variable speed, Delta-T, Delta-P) and try to determine which one best fits the job we’re looking at – and no, there’s NO SUCH THING as “the only circulator you’ll ever need.” That’s a load of hogwash.

So where does “Hydronics 101” start? It must start with an accurate idea of what you’re trying to accomplish, which is to make sure this structure heats on what’s commonly referred to as “the coldest day of the year.” Now, if you’re simply replacing a dead circulator, there’s precious little math that needs to be done (but you still have to know about circulators and their impact on systems – that’s a future segment). But if you’re replacing a boiler or actually starting from scratch, the only right way to start is with a pad of paper, a scaled ruler, a pencil and a calculator. If John and Eric invite me back, we’ll walk through simple heat loss calculations done the old fashioned way. Software will do it quicker, but in order for software to be a tool and not a convenience item, it’s important to know why it came up with the numbers that it did.

As my old man used to say, “Knowing how is good, but know why is better. Because those who know ‘how’ will always work for those who know ‘why.’”

John Barba is training manager for Taco Inc.

 

 

Taco’s now-expanded ECM, wet rotor Viridian line includes the VR3452 high efficiency wet rotor variable speed circulator for chilled and hot water applications, offering up to 34 feet of shut-off head and 52 gpm flow. All settings are accomplished with the user-friendly interface. The permanent magnet ECM motor saves up to 85% of the electrical energy compared to conventional pumps.

The circulator offers auto mode (default), and proportional pressure control, constant pressure control, constant speed and night setback turndown. The LED displays watts, flow and RPM. It’s available in 115 or 230 volts and has standard flanges and is for easy installation.

The optional communication module provides: Ethernet and Modbus RTU communication, analog control input 0 – 10 V, three analog inputs/outputs, one relay output, main and standby operation. The VR3452 also comes with an industry standard flange.

taco-hvac.com

“We’re putting the band back together.” A go-to phrase from the 1980 classic comedy, The Blues Brothers, that’s what it felt like last month in Hershey, Pa. The niche show dedicated to the oil and energy service professionals had its reunion feel back, and the 61^st OESP Annual Trade Show & Convention featured its cast of characters in attendance.

In truth, last year’s two-part OESP Roadshow, a noble effort, which tried to bring the show closer to contractors, lacked solid attendance numbers. Yet, bringing it back to Hershey, its sweet spot—pun intended—you could feel the energy, and all exhibitors and attendees were satiated.

 

OESP, the association dedicated to the Oil & Energy Service Professional, held consistent on its mission of education with a diverse program, including two of NORA’s new courses on airflow and hydronics, as well as a full trade show. “OESP changed its name a few years ago to reflect an evolution in its industry and its membership. Many conventional fuel oil dealers are adding propane to their offerings, as well as HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc.,” said Al Breda, president.

 

“Since 1999, the oil heating industry has changed dramatically, and it has been tough for many companies, and thus our members,” said Judy Garber, OESP executive director—her last as acting director. “I’ve watched those who have accepted the challenge and moved toward diversification. In 1999, oil companies delivered to and serviced only oil heated homes and businesses. Today, they install solar, bathrooms, propane and gas appliances, and they quote new efficient oil-fired boilers and gas appliances. Today’s progressive companies control their routes with GPS, customers receive and pay their invoices electronically, often times right on the spot with handheld devices,” said Garber.

 

Charitable Events

This year’s OESP Convention featured the The Dave Nelsen Scholarship Golf Tournament, which has raised more than $250,000 in awards—since 1999—has been presented to students interested in pursuing careers in the energy-service industry. The scholarship recipients are Roger Bruso, Jeffrey Comitz, Thomas Daros, Jr., Erik Graff, Michael Boylston, and Garth Reish.

Oil Heat Cares’ Care to Ride raised funds for oil-heating equipment replacements for people who are struggling to heat their homes. The following people were recognized for their commitment to Oil Heat Cares:

• Oil Heat Cares Cup: Judy Garber and Dan Holohan

• Top Fundraising Team: Team Connecticut

• Top Fundraiser Motorcycle Division: Ralph Adams

• Top Fundraiser Bicycle Division: Roger Marran

• Top Fundraiser Walking Division: Dan and Marianne Holohan

Awards Banquet

The Awards Banquet on Tuesday, May 19 was a special night, a night which saw OESP honor Garber for her outstanding contributions to the industry. Garber received the Lifetime Achievement Award alongside her family and friends. At a loss for words, she had said that she is rarely surprised, but that night was an exception, and the outpouring of appreciation overwhelmed her.

 

During the awards banquet, OESP also recognized Dan Holohan for his support to the association, establishing the Dan Holohan Scholarship, a scholarship set up in his name identifying the top instructors in the industry. Those teaching future technicians will be able to either purchase materials to enhance their training or attend a class or program that enriched their skills as an instructor.

 

Holohan, who has announced his retirement, has said, “This is my final year of doing seminars. My last will be at the AHR show in Orlando next January.”

OESP & AREE Partner

OESP and the Atlantic Region Energy Expo (AREE) recently announced they will host a joint trade show and convention next year — May 22-26, 2016 — at the Foxwoods Casino Resort, Ledyard, CT.

Eric DeGesero, executive vice president, Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey, a prime sponsor that provides show management services for AREE commented, “This joint venture is a logical step in a consolidating industry.”

“Our goal is to continue to provide the forum that brings all segments of the petroleum marketing industry together to network and learn. Not only will we be continuing these efforts on behalf of motor fuel and heating fuel distributors but adding the technical educational component that OESP does so well,” DeGesero said.

According to OESP’s Garber, something needed to happen; there are too many shows with too few people attending them.

“We need to build an outstanding product that attendees know they need to attend. The oil industry is shrinking but it sure isn’t going away. OESP is evolving but it will take time to attract those in other energy businesses. Our focus is on service and installation, and by partnering with AREE, we are stronger and we can together be a very strong show in the Northeast when it comes to oil and energy.

“The joint show provides each of us the ability to sponsor an industry-wide convention and trade show that will provide a wider audience. It will also provide OESP greater exposure to our industry as we will now be able to showcase our extensive technical education programming to owners and managers,” said Garber.

The 2015 ISH Show in Frankfurt, Germany, by all accounts, did not disappoint. The show was spectacular and grandiose in size and attendance. In fact, official numbers released from the show indicate record numbers in attendance — 198,000 visitors, a new exhibitor record and a significant increase in the level of international guests.

 

ISH is the leading exhibition for sustainable sanitation solutions, innovative bathroom design and energy-efficient heating technologies in combination with renewable energies and environmentally friendly air conditioning, cooling and ventilation technology. This year, it once again brought together the sector’s most important subjects at the same time and place, and covered all horizontal and vertical aspects of future-oriented building solutions with the extensive range of products and services to be seen.

 

The ISH Water section was characterized by sustainable sanitation solutions for individual user requirements arising from the process of demographic change, as well as by innovative water management and drinking-water hygiene. On the Energy side, the focus was on energy efficiency as the second pillar of the new energy paradigm, i.e., the shift away from nuclear power. Modern heating, air-conditioning, cooling and ventilation technologies have a huge potential for cutting energy consumption and represent an important step on the way to achieving climate targets.

 

According to ISH, the claim of the being the world’s leading trade fair for the sector was substantiated by a 16% increase in the number of international visitors to 74,100—up from 63.985 in 2013) with the largest national contingents coming from Italy, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland and China. Significant growth in visitor numbers from the USA, Great Britain and Ireland are also evidence of a noticeable economic recovery in important sanitation, heating and air-conditioning markets. Altogether, there were 618 new exhibitors at ISH 2015: 161 of them from Germany, 89 from Italy and 23 from Spain, which indicates a gradual market recovery.

 

Yet I had heard that only 4% of total visitors were from the Unites States and finding English-speaking booth attendees proved arduous at times. Look for the Union Jack lapel and you’ve found someone that can speak the language.

If you haven’t been to ISH, there are 11 pavilions—with multiple levels—that are categorized by the bathroom experience; air conditioning, cooling and ventilation; building and energy technology/renewable energies; installation technology; home and building automation. There is plenty to see so if you plan to visit in 2017—the show takes place every other year—be sure to take as much time as you can. I attended three days at the show and wasn’t even able to see much of the show. “Overwhelming,” said Bob Short, Short’s Plumbing & Heating, Livingston, Montana. “It’s big, but in a good way.”

Additional feedback I received from the show was that the booths were large, clean, modern in appearance, and spacious enough to get around. Some of drawbacks were that a lot of the booths, again, did not have an English-speaking contingent. Also, what you see in this European trade show is, well, just that — European. A lot of the products and technology is not “transferable” to the U.S. based upon code compliance, early adoption or some products and/or technology are years down the pipeline for U.S. use.

 

Personally, the show is incredible, but its size can be daunting; wearing a comfortable pair of shoes is a must because you’ll do you good share of walking. I wish the show was a little easier to navigate but the ISH downloadable app was a plus while trying to find favorites to visit. I was issued free Wi-Fi with a press pass, but even that got a little spotty and non-existent at times.

 

I was fortunate enough to spend some time—during and after the show—with gracious company hosts Aquatherm and Viega, who both have major manufacturing facilities to the north of Frankfurt, in Attendorn, Germany. I know of several other contractors who were invited by manufacturers to visit the ISH Show and to do some Germany sightseeing. This might be a great way to get an opportunity to go overseas and visit the show.

 

The feedback from the exhibitors was incredibly positive; you can’t deny the traffic in the booths was high. It should be noted that all visitors weren’t wearing their ISH badges, or perhaps they weren’t even issued one. It’s nice to see names on badges to do a little scouting prior to initial introductions.

 

Overall, the ISH Show was well worth the trip over the pond. If you can find it in your budget—time-wise and monetarily— I would highly suggest making the trek in 2017.