Water

Exton PA. December, 2013 – Omega Flex Inc. the leading manufacturer of CSST Gas Piping systems is introducing another first of its kind CSST innovation.

The new patent pending AutoSnap® straight fittings are the only CSST fittings that do not require any disassembly or reassembly of the fitting to the TracPipe®CounterStrike® CSST.

Just TWIST*SNAP*TIGHTEN and you’re DONE!

This greatly reduces installation difficulty and time as there are no small loose gaskets, O-rings, or retainer rings to contend with in a dark and/or cold work place environment!

AutoSnap is CSA listed, manufactured from brass and features a metal to metal cup seal without any exposed stainless steel pipe behind the new fitting. Reduced torque value and reusability all make for an optimum installer friendly fitting!

AutoSnap will be available the first quarter of 2014 in the following sizes: 3/8”, ½”, ¾” and 1”.

David Richardson, RNC Manager for Weather Master Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. whose company participated in the AutoSnap testing trials stated the following;

“We have been using your product for over 14 years and value the quality of the product and your advancements that your company has done to improve your products over the years. After reviewing your newest addition to the TracPipe family, I am excited about the convenience it will provide during installation. This product is another example of your dedication to providing quality products and looking for ways to make improvements and finding ways to make installation easier and more user friendly. I think that this new edition to your product line will be another reason that your product is the best in the market and contractors will be excited about the results.  I look forward to the release of the new fitting.”

For more information on the new AutoSnap fitting please visit www.tracpipe.com

In Canada please visit www.tracpipe.ca

KOHLER, Wis. – Nov. 20, 2013 – In the commercial marketplace, time can equal big money – even routine maintenance calls add up quickly. To help reduce the long-term effects of costly maintenance on flushing systems in commercial facilities, Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bathroom design, debuts flushometers that feature Kohler’s exclusive Hybrid Energy System.

This new flushometer utilizes Kohler’s Hybrid energy cell, a proven success on touchless bathroom faucets, and provides an estimated 30-year battery lifespan*. In comparison to the standard three-to-five year expectancy for commercial flushometer batteries, the KOHLER® Hybrid flushometer is a cost-effective and smart solution for commercial specifiers, building owners, facility managers and maintenance coordinators. Additionally, the Hybrid energy cell is installed within the body of existing KOHLER flush valves, preserving their sleek aesthetic.

The Hybrid energy system features a Hybrid layered-capacitor, literally collecting the small electrical discharges of the battery. When the flushometer is activated for use, power is drawn from the capacitor, allowing the cell to maintain its superior power storage.

Technology similar to the Hybrid energy system is used in applications such as hands-free meter reading, GPS vehicle tracking systems, airbag deployment components and emergency call systems. These applications require a reliable source of power over a prolonged period of time – the same facility managers and end-users require of their flushing systems.

“Across the industry, commercial specifiers have asked for easy maintenance, reliable products and lifetime cost savings,” says Keith Fischer, Kohler marketing manager for Kohler Commercial Faucets. “The Hybrid technology ensures all of these aspects and has proven to be well received on bathroom faucets. We anticipate the same positive result with flushometers.”

via KOHLER | KOHLER Hybrid Energy System Extends Flushometer Performance by 25 Years | 2013 IBS Press Kit | Press Kits | Press Room |.

By Dave Duren

Believe it or not…when I’m out in the field as I’m headed to San Diego right now…the most asked question I’ll get is “what exactly is softening?” And if they don’t asked…I’ll be bringing it up!

If you asked 99% of the legitimate water treatment companies and or manufacturers; they respond by saying…Water softening is the “removal of mineral” from the water….plan and simple.

And mineral for the purpose of this article is mostly calcium and magnesium.  (Other metals are also removed by the ion exchange process)I’m going to be talking about ion exchange process from here on out for clarification. So let’s review what is actually going on in that what softener. Inside of a water softener are millions of tiny beads that are man-made of a plastic material. They have a negative charge. Mineral has a positive charge. Water with mineral in it passed through the bed of “resin” and the mineral clings to these beads. As they cling, they release some sodium ions. This is where the term “exchange” comes into play. After a certain period of time the beads become full of mineral or as we say the bed becomes exhausted and it needs to regenerate. This process involves drawing a brine (“salty”) solution into the bed which flushes the mineral away and down the drain while allowing more sodium ions to cling to the beads to get ready for more actual softening.

There are basically three ways this whole process occurs. The first way is manually. Someone tells the unit the time when to start and stop. The second way is with an automatic time clock. The time clock is set to regenerate every certain amount of days. A couple of reliable industry valves have a 12 day wheel on them to control this period. This involves sliding out pins that trip the unit into the process every set amount of days, like every third day or so. The third and probably most popular these days is a metered system. This involves some type of water meter that will kick the unit into regeneration when a set amount of water has passed through it.

So to continue, if mineral is not REMOVED from water through ion exchange softening then some other method is used to try to prevent it from sticking to surfaces, (inside of pipes, inside of heaters and exchangers, showerheads, shower doors..etc.) And you might ask WHY it is sticking to surfaces anyway. This is due to the positive valence or polarity of the mineral itself. Many of the reputable companies use the term “Conditioning” or “Management” but do not say softening in their explanation as to how this gets done. So with that, I’ve broken this down into 4 general methods that are used although there may be other methods out there.

• Magnets and electricity
• Adding polyphosphates
• Creating acid water, mostly using citric acid
• Media based methods

Let’s talk about these in a general way. First magnets and electricity are merely an attempt to change the polarity of the mineral elements in the water. They are not easily changed and many revert back to their original state if ever changed in the first place.

Secondly are polyphosphates. They have been around a good long while. This product coats the inside of the pipes and anything downstream with a thin layer of itself situating itself between the water and surface. It also coats the mineral element and prevents it from attaching to other things. This method is good in some applications.

Thirdly, acid water created by using citric acid or other chemical is added to the water to reduce the ph of the water making it “acidic”. Acidic water then has a tendency to make the mineral not want to stick to surfaces. This method can work at times but also reduces all of the water’s ph and now introduces acid water to the entire plumbing system.

The fourth method is using medias. There are a few different ones on the market and they basically create an atmosphere wherein that the mineral either sticks to it or sticks to itself or another particle of something that is introduced into the water.

None of the above methods removes or even reduces mineral from the water but once again, merely tries to “control” the mineral’s positive polarity and prevent it from sticking to surfaces. Either inside the plumbing system on a surface (shower doors, dishes, showerheads, etc.) Some with some success and others with zero success. This is why “SALT-FREE SOFTENING” does not exist except in a few extreme cases using very expensive equipment and seldom seen in residential applications.  It is also worth mentioning that NSF, National Sanitation Foundation and WQA, Water Quality Association both have standards and protocols for testing Ion exchange softeners. So as I’ve stated before, this is a very good way to tell if the equipment you’re being asked about or you yourself is trying to sell, is legitimate. Going to either website would also be a great way of learning more about what they do as organizations.

All of the above areas would command their own article or series of articles so take this as an overview. I think that you as a contractor need to at least be aware of the terms and methods because you will probably be asked by a customer. I think that when asked “what is softening?” you can simply say….”it’s REMOVAL of mineral from the water and the best and most economical, tried and true method is an ion exchange softener. I think it would be perfectly OK for you to tell your customer “Buyer Beware”…especially if they are asking or maybe even trying to tell you about some super wiz product they found on the internet or so slick guy called and tried to sell them over the phone.

I’d like to add that research and development continues to look for another method of SOFTENING water for residential use that will be efficient and affordable (which is what?….RIGHT!…REMOVING MINERAL FROM THE WATER!) as growing demand for this type of system exists. Until then ion exchange softening is the way to go to get the desired effects of actual SOFT WATER.  Until next time…happy selling!

Pump Technology Improvements Driven by Energy Efficiency

When it comes to improvements in pump technology, energy efficiency is the name of the game. Today, manufacturers are designing pumping systems with components like variable-speed motors that improve efficiency and reduce operating costs, according to several experts interviewed by Perspective Media.

For contractors, that means having new options to discuss with homeowners and commercial customers considering remodeling projects, additions and new construction.  “You might want to explain to an end user that the new technology can result in 50 percent energy savings with perhaps a year’s payback period on that investment,” said Bob Reinmund, senior product specialist, Grundfos Pumps Corporation. “More often than not, the end user will opt for the new technology, which is easy to install and highly reliable as well.”

While the basics of centrifugal pump technology remain constant, new computer-aided design tools allow manufacturers to design energy-efficient pumps with tighter tolerances and less bypass flow around an impeller, according to Mark Handzel, director of building services marketing at Xylem Inc., Applied Water Systems. “The goal is to squeeze every possible ounce of efficiency out of the pumping system,” he said.

More efficient motors

In keeping with that objective, pump manufacturers are focusing on more efficient motor designs, such as bigger and better copper windings to minimize electrical losses. “We call it ‘wire to water’ because the goal is to transmit as much electrical power as possible to the water coming out of the pump,” said Handzel. Other advances include controls and software applications that adjust pump motor speeds to meet changes in demand. “Pumps are not smart on their own, so you have to provide feedback about increasing or decreasing the flow,” Handzel said.

Through these types of advancements, pumps are offering greater and greater efficiency in both residential and commercial applications, with the largest savings in high-volume environment like schools, hospitals and government buildings. “Instead of focusing on the purchase and installation cost, more users are paying more attention to energy efficiency,” Handzel said. “They are looking for systems that will deliver a better return on their investment.”

But achieving those desired savings requires that all elements of the system be designed to work in harmony. For instance, a hospital might require a pressure-boost package adapted to the pump requirements in order to ensure adequate water pressure in distant areas of the building.

“Many older commercial systems are designed with big pumps and pressure-reducing valves,” Handzel added. “That wastes a tremendous amount of energy. A much better solution today is to install a pump with a variable speed drive to match fluctuating demand. That can result in a great improvement in overall system efficiency.”

Reinmund says it’s also important to look at the boiler room as a whole in order to maximize efficiencies. “Boiler manufacturers had to meet a new efficiency standard this year, and the pump is the last part of that system,” he said. “Right now, several manufacturers are offering high-efficiency pumps that can lower overall energy consumption by at least 50 percent – even more if software is included.”

ECM technology

Residentially, the use of electrically commutated motor (ECM) technology is the most exciting pump technology development in recent years, according to Reinmund. “While new home construction is down, many owners are looking for more ways to lower their utility bills. “If I were a contractor, I’d say let’s go in and review the boiler room and see what we can do to reduce our energy costs. Look at the boiler and the pumps circulating the water. Often, this new ECM technology has a payback of just three to six months, and will certainly pay for itself in less than three years.

Hot water recirculation is another potential area of energy savings. “There are many products coming out that increase energy efficiency and hot water availability, along with water savings,” Reinmund said. “Why wait 15 seconds or a minute for hot water at your tap with that cold water going down the drain?”

Those savings could mount up quickly for a hotel, hospital or other institutional or commercial facility.  “With a hotel on a hot water loop, the pumps tend to be oversized to meet peak demands. “With ECM technology you can meet the peak demand and then slow down the pump, using only 50 to 60 percent of the electricity to supply demand the rest of the day. We as an industry need to think about how to do hot water circulation.”

Looking ahead, Reinmund says ECM technology will be the wave of the future. “It’s the only technology that meets the energy standards now being discussed,” he said. “The refrigeration guys have embraced ECM technology, and now it’s our turn. This technology is not intimidating, he added. “It’s designed for ease of installation and set up.”

Grinder pumps

Technology is also advancing in the grinder pump market, according to Randy Waldron, vice president, sales & marketing, Liberty Pumps. “A lot of older gravity septic systems are being replaced with centralized sewer systems,” he said. “Grinder pumps can be a good solution for these systems, providing difficult solids-handling in both residential and commercial applications. Newer designs have improved the cutting performance as well as pumping efficiency.”

Another consideration for contractors in a home remodeling or addition project is the inclusion of a macerating toilet. “This product allows for an easy bathroom addition when you don’t have gravity sewer lines,” said Waldron. “It macerates the solid waste and can pump it to an existing sewer line in the building. If the owner puts in a basement or addition, you can add a macerating toilet to the system and pump the waste water to an existing line, saving money and time on the project.”

Waldron adds that many pump manufacturers are now providing contractors with complete pumping systems, rather than having someone at the job site fabricate and assemble the basin, pump, control panel and other internal components. “Shipping the systems ‘job-ready’ saves time in the field and reduces errors,” he said, noting that factory-matched components also make it easier for the engineer to specify an appropriate system.  For commercial projects, pump manufacturers are adding building information modeling (BIM) capabilities that make it easier to “drop” the pumping system into the building design software, Waldron added.

Common errors

One of the most common errors in the pump technology sector is “over-designing” or “under-designing” the system, according to Handzel. The pump needs to be appropriately sized for the application, he added.

Waldron encourages contractors to talk to pump professionals to be sure the correct type and size of pump is used in a commercial or residential project.. “We have an 800 number with technicians who can help you size product, helping to eliminate problems down the road,” he said.

In the commercial sector, many building owners and operators hire a commissioning firm to be sure a new system is working as well as it should. “Since money spent on energy is a big part of the operating budget, owners want to be sure they have an efficient system,” Handzel said. “That means monitoring performance on an ongoing basis, since the weak link in the system can be the maintenance team.”

New energy standards

Looking to the future, Reinmund points to the growing importance of the federal Energy Independence and Security Act on the commercial segment of the market. “By setting specific energy standards, the act got the industry moving on new technology,” he said. “Energy efficiency has always been important, but it’s now a mandate in some areas. That leads to better technology, while reducing the carbon footprint and lowering energy costs and consumption.”

While the energy act didn’t impact residential applications, several federal agencies are now reviewing the fractional horsepower motor market. “I believe we will see ratings come out that will address these smaller motors,” Reinmund said. In that regard, the U.S. would be following the European Union (EU), which has a new energy mandate coming into effect in January 2013. “Europeans have had high energy costs for a long time,” Reinmund said. “They are always looking for ways to reduce their energy bills and tend to embrace new technology very quickly.”