Industry News

New Technical Document and Details Proper Steps for Use

A new technical document that addresses techniques for the safe and proper use of spray polyurethane foam insulation on and around plastic pressure pipe materials has been published by the Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) with input from the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA).

Prepared by PPI’s Building & Construction Division, PPI TN-69 Recommendations when Applying Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation on and around Plastic Pressure Pipes & Fittings discusses the proper application of spray polyurethane foam insulation to avoid damage due to  heat generated by the foam. Pipe and fitting materials include CPVC, PEX, PEX/AL/PEX, PE-RT, PP-R, PP-RCT, PSU, PPS, PPSU, and PVDF.

Figure 1: The first layer of SPF insulation is stopped when it reaches the pipe (left), just barely touching or encasing it. After sufficient cooling time, the second layer of SFP insulation is sprayed over the pipe to the required thickness (right).

PPI and SPFA recommend that when there are plastic pipes and fittings in a wall, ceiling, or floor cavity, the SPF installer should apply one layer of foam until it touches the pipe but does not encase the pipe. SPF installers should let the first layer of foam cure for a sufficient amount of time while heat is released from the foam and the pipe remains partially exposed before installing the second layer of foam. These procedures are described in detail within PPI TN-69.

Plastic pressure pipes and fittings are commonly used in applications such as hot- and cold-water plumbing, fire protection, and hydronic heating and cooling systems, including radiant distribution systems. In certain instances, pipes and fittings are installed inside areas that must be insulated, such as within a ceiling or wall cavity. In other installations, the pipes and fittings themselves must be insulated to reduce the transfer of heat through the pipe wall.

According to the SPFA, Spray Polyurethane Foam, or SPF, is a high-performance insulation material commonly used in homes and buildings of all types, and has been used as insulation for decades.

“The spray polyurethane foam curing reaction is exothermic,” explained Richard Duncan, Ph.D., P.E., executive director of SPFA, “which means that heat is generated during the foam reaction. The heat of reaction is highly dependent on the SPF formulation and is also based upon the overall intended application or lift (i.e., layer) thickness installed. Peak temperature within the layer of foam typically occurs within 5 to 15 minutes of application, followed by gradual cooling.”

According to SPFA documents, the chemical reaction that takes place during the application and curing of SPF will generate exothermic temperatures above the 120°F – 130°F setpoint temperatures of the proportioner and hoses. Peak temperatures at the mid-thickness of a pass can exceed 200°F for several minutes and reach peak temperatures 250°F – 275°F for a minute or two, especially for closed-cell SPF, when applied at the maximum pass thickness.

“Plastic pipes and fittings in both residential and commercial plumbing, residential fire protection, and most hydronic applications are typically required to have pressure ratings at 180°F (82°C) operating temperature,” explained Lance MacNevin, P. Eng., director of engineering for PPI’s Building & Construction Division.

MacNevin continued, “The plastic pipes and fittings referenced in PPI TN-69 will withstand short-term exposure to temperatures above 180°F. However, exposure to temperatures above the rated operating temperature of each material, which may occur if pipes are encased in a thick pass of closed-cell SPF, are likely to have negative effects on these materials, potentially leading to premature failure. It is important that SPF insulation is installed correctly to prevent overheating of pipes and fittings.”

Access the full content of PPI TN-69 at  https://plasticpipe.org/common/Uploaded%20files/Technical/TN-69/PPI%20TN-69.pdf or by scanning:

Additional information and data about pressure pipe materials used for plumbing and mechanical systems are available from the PPI Building & Construction Division at www.plasticpipe.org/buildingconstruction

Contractors to ‘Get in the Race’ for a Chance to Win High-Efficiency Boiler, Chevy Impala Collectible

HVAC contractors, start your engines! Weil-McLain^®, a leading provider of high-efficiency commercial and residential hydronic comfort heating solutions, has launched a limited time promotion for members of the company’s new growth and loyalty program, The Weil-McLain Advantage™.

From now until the end of December, contractors from Weil-McLain’s five sales regions (West, Central, Mid-Atlantic, New York/New Jersey and New England) can compete to register the most Weil-McLain boilers. The top “driver” from each region at the completion of the sweepstakes will win an ECO^® Tec Series 2 High-Efficiency 199-C Combi Boiler and a Weil-McLain-branded Chevy Impala collectible. The “drivers” who finish in the top six to 15 range from any region will receive the same Chevy Impala collectible to mark their performance and achievement.

Contractors can participate by visiting the Weil-McLain Advantage webpage and signing up for the new growth and loyalty program. After registration, members will have access to the Advantage Contractor portal, an online platform with free e-learning courses and access to a variety of digital solutions to grow and manage their Weil-McLain business.

“Designed to empower and reward our valued and dedicated customers, this new program aims to support their growth, enhance their expertise and contribute to their continued success,” explained Adam Biewer, Product Manager of Digital Solutions for Weil-McLain. “With this contest, we want to encourage as many contractors as possible to sign up and reap all the benefits and rewards that come with being an Advantage member – while also earning a chance to win a popular Weil-McLain product as an additional incentive.”

The Advantage program presents a diverse range of exclusive benefits, allowing contractors to elevate their business operations and bolster their financial success. It comprises three distinct loyalty tiers – Authorized, Pro and Elite – that reflect varying degrees of achievement, performance and status. As members progress through these tiers, they garner escalating levels of recognition, visibility and access to business incentives and rewards. Members will also appreciate the many additional benefits that come with signing up for the program, including prominent recognition in the marketplace, access to an expansive library of on-demand e-learning courses, homeowner leads and rebates, rewards and market development funds.

Contractors can register boilers between now and December 31, 2023. Winners will be notified by a Weil-McLain representative by January 31, 2024.

To learn more about the Weil-McLain Advantage, visit weil-mclain.com/advantage. To learn more about the company’s high-efficiency lineup, connect with a local distributor or visit weil-mclain.com.

New study by Danfoss shows roll-out of demand-side flexibility technology can achieve annual societal cost savings of $10.5 billion by 2030, and 7% savings on electricity bills for households

A new analysis commissioned by Danfoss reveals that an ambitious but realistic roll out of demand-side flexibility technology in the EU and UK can save 40 million tons of CO2 emissions each year by 2030, more than Denmark’s domestic climate footprint. In the U.S., demand-side flexibility, combined with optimized efficiency and the adoption of electric power sources, could save over $100 billion in energy costs and lower carbon emissions from buildings by over 90 percent by 2050.

Rolling out demand-side flexibility technologies can make the grid more resilient and create substantial economic benefits for societies and households.  Managing our energy more effectively and lowering demand in peak periods can reduce the risk of potential outages by lowering the strain on the grid. Consumers will see savings on their utility bills, as the cost of electricity is lower during non-peak periods.

Kim Fausing, President and CEO, Danfoss says: “We are leaving the fossil fuel era, but we haven’t prepared our energy system for the future because we are neglecting energy efficiency as one of the main tools to lower emissions. The grid is not ready to use all the renewable energy we are making rapid progress to produce. We must take steps to utilize energy efficiency solutions – such as demand-side flexibility technologies – that not only help us to use less energy, but to use the right energy at the right time. We have the solutions, but we need action.”

Demand-side flexibility refers to the levelling out of energy consumption to prevent periods of simultaneous high demand and low supply, which is especially important for an energy system based on renewables. The deployment of demand-side flexibility technologies can lower demand during expensive peak hours and reduce the amount of fossil fuels in the energy mix.

In buildings, for example, AI-driven technologies can save up to 20 percent in a building’s energy costs by combining building, weather, and user data to predict heating and ventilation demand.^[i] Observations on 100,000 flats equipped with this technology, based mainly in Finland, show that the maximum power usage was reduced by 10-30 percent.^[ii] Meanwhile, load-shifting can also be automated to cool supermarket freezers down to a much lower temperature than required outside the peak demand hours with the freezers effectively operating like a battery storing energy. This ‘supercooling’ technique means refrigerators can be switched off during the peak hours of energy demand, both lowering stress on the grid and saving money for the supermarket.

Renewables need to make up 70 percent of the energy mix by 2050 if the goals of the Paris Agreement are to be reached. However, the energy system is not yet prepared to manage the natural peaks and troughs of renewable energy supply.The new whitepaper from Danfoss, “Energy Efficiency 2.0: Engineering the Future Energy System”, presents the most cost-efficient way to prepare for the future energy system. It focuses on the deployment of a full-scale electrification of society, demand-side flexibility measures, wise use of hydrogen and storage and maximizing the use of excess heat.

Key whitepaper takeaways:

• By transitioning from a fossil energy system to a fully electrified one, it is possible to cut up to 40% of final energy consumption. Electrification is itself a form of energy efficiency.
• Through demand-side flexibility, the EU and UK can annually save 40 million tons of CO2 emissions and achieve annual societal cost savings of €10.5 billion by 2030. Similarly, households can save on average 7% on their electricity bills. In 2050, households are estimated to save 10% on electricity bills and €15.5 billion annual societal costs.
• In the US, optimizing efficiency, demand flexibility, and electrification in buildings can save up to $107 billion in annual power system cost savings alongside a 91% reduction in carbon emissions from buildings by 2050.  
• In 2030, up to 53% of the global energy input will be wasted as excess heat. However, much of this heat can be captured and reused to heat buildings and water through deeper sector integration.
• On a global scale it is theoretically possible by 2050 to recover 1.228 TWh of excess heat from hydrogen produced through electrolysis – this is equivalent to almost two thirds of today’s global heat generation from coal, the largest source of heat.

Kim Fausing adds: “Electrification, demand-side flexibility, conversion, storage, and sector integration must take center stage in a future energy system enabling an energy grid powered by renewables. Seeing is believing, and, often, decision makers simply don’t know that we already have the solutions we need to not only reduce carbon emissions, but also to deliver substantial economic savings both at a societal and customer level. It’s about time for decision makers at all levels to prioritize energy efficiency and set the right regulatory and economic framework to reach net zero by 2050.”

Professor Nick Eyre, Professor of Energy and Climate Policy at University of Oxford & Senior Research Fellow in Energy at the Environmental Change Institute, says: “We need to rethink energy efficiency and place it at the center of the race towards full decarbonization. This means enabling the electrification of end-uses not previously served by electricity. It also means creating a highly flexible energy system to avoid carbon-intensive demand peaks. Historically, energy efficiency has delivered the largest share of greenhouse gas mitigation and reinventing it for the era of renewables will enable us to continue this trend and achieve net zero by 2050.”

Toby Morgan, Senior Manager, Built Environment at Climate Group, says: “As we electrify everything we can and build a flexible grid fit for the future, we cannot forget energy efficiency. The greenest form of energy is saving energy, and efficiency means we need fewer wind farms and fewer battery facilities. AI can help turbocharge progress on energy efficiency, optimizing electricity usage for any given time of day. Yet AI’s role in connecting up climate-smart technologies in one integrated, energy efficient building is where it gets really exciting. AI can optimize the use of rooftop solar when it’s sunny, make decisions on when to draw on the building’s battery storage, or the batteries of EVs plugged into its charging points when it’s not, plus choose an optimum time to sell renewable electricity back to the grid when demand is high.”

Download the full whitepaper: “Energy Efficiency 2.0: Engineering the Future Energy System”

Tacoma plumbing service provider advocates transformational thinking about trades while building next-generation workforce with immersive Harts Academy initiative

Harts Services, a top-rated Tacoma-based plumbing company founded in 2013, urges jobseekers to consider the many rewarding, high-paying career opportunities available in the essential skilled trades.

“Whether you’re just entering the workforce or you’re frustrated in your current job and want to make a mid-career change, we encourage everyone to think about the trades as a meaningful alternative to the traditional career path,” said Rich Hart, co-owner of Harts Services. “Many of us have been taught that attending a four-year college is the only way to have a successful and satisfying career. But we’re starting to see that college doesn’t necessarily pay off for everyone. That’s leading a lot of young people to look for other options.”

Harts Services, a top-rated Tacoma-based plumbing company, supports jobseekers considering a rewarding, high-paying career in the essential skilled trades with its innovative Harts Academy in-house training program.

As the cost of a college education continues to rise, the long-term financial value of a four-year degree is steadily declining. At the same time, an ongoing shortage of skilled labor is driving up demand for trained workers in home service industries such as plumbing, electrical and HVAC. Experienced technicians in those fields are highly employable and can demand premium salaries as well as signing bonuses, paid training and opportunities for rapid advancement.

“Instead of treating trades as a fallback, we want people entering the trades to be energetic and enthusiastic,” Hart said. “Being a plumber or electrician requires training, focus, problem-solving and people skills, just like any other profession. It’s a dynamic and engaging field with a lot of upside, especially in today’s labor market.”

In 2022, Harts Services launched Harts Academy, an innovative in-house apprenticeship program that prepares motivated trainees for immediate employment.

The Harts Academy program includes four weeks of comprehensive classroom education and immersive hands-on experience in the Harts Academy plumbing platform. Classroom sessions are followed by two to three years of supervised field training with licensed plumbers, with pay raises to match experience, testing and skill level. Harts Academy also provides preparation assistance for the plumber licensing exam.

“We created Harts Academy to help meet the needs of our industry overall and transform how younger generations think about the trades,” Hart said. “We’re investing in the creation of a truly trained and expert team not only here at Harts but throughout the Pacific Northwest. It’s part of a major disruption that we expect to unlock new opportunities for young people, drive economic growth and ensure that homeowners have access to the services they need.”

Harts Academy apprentices support plumbing leads in the warehouse and on jobsites while actively learning core skills. A valid driver’s license and clean driving record are required. Apprentices must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and are expected to work in crawlspaces, operate machinery, climb ladders and stairs, and other physical work in the warehouse and on jobsites.

For more information about Harts Services, please call (253) 470-8766 or visit www.hartsservices.com.

For more information about Harts Academy or to apply, visit https://hartsservices.com/academy-apprentice-program/.