ShopTalk

By Jonathan Simon, Lubrizol Advanced Materials Inc.

Frozen pipes don’t fail for the reason most people think they do. It’s not the pressure of expanding ice against the pipe wall that causes the failure. Instead, as the video below shows, frozen pipes burst because ice in the pipe forms a dam that blocks the flow of water. As the ice expands, the water pressure builds behind the dam and when that pressure exceeds the burst pressure of the pipe material, a service plumber somewhere gets an emergency call.

Factors that Influence Failure from Freezing

Knowing the cause of pipe failure from freezing provides a better understanding of how well different materials can resist freezing.

But before I get into those factors, let me make one point very clear: There is no such thing as a freeze-proof pipe. All residential plumbing materials will fail if the pressure within the pipe exceeds the material’s burst pressure. The tips for preventing freezing presented in the next section can be helpful regardless of the material you are using.

There are three variables that influence the rate at which a pipe will fail when exposed to cold air.

1. The first is the thermal conductivity of the pipe material, which determines how well the material can resist cooling. Of the three commonly used residential plumbing materials, CPVC resists cooling the best, followed by PEX. Copper has the highest thermal conductivity with the least resistance to cooling.
2. The other factor is the material’s burst pressure. Copper compensates for its thermal conductivity with a quick burst pressure of 3,000-4,000 psi, compared to 1250 psi for CPVC and 475 psi for PEX. When you combine the effect of thermal conductivity and burst pressure, you find that CPVC and copper will fail from freezing at about the same rate and PEX will fail faster than those two materials.
3. With PEX, the elasticity of the material can also factor into the freezing rate. New PEX will expand or balloon somewhat to protect the pipe from bursting; however, this expansion can weaken the pipe wall, increasing the risk of future failure. In addition, as PEX ages, chlorine degradation may reduce the elasticity of the inner pipe wall, which prevents expansion, diminishing any advantages the elasticity of the material provides in terms of freeze-break resistance.

Protecting Pipes from Freezing

Whether installing pipe in new construction or responding to a failure, here are ways you can reduce the risk of piping failure from freezing.

• Always plan for cold weather. 
  Just because freezing conditions are uncommon in certain areas, doesn’t mean they never happen. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the vast majority of the United States can expect the temperature to drop below freezing at least once a decade. As weather patterns have become more unpredictable, it’s become more important to plan for the worst.
• Avoid installing pipes in unconditioned areas.
  Unconditioned areas, such as attics, crawlspaces, overhangs or exterior walls, are the first to get cold when outside temperatures drop and therefore present the biggest risk for frozen pipes. Running pipe in conditioned spaces with the piping within the building insulation envelope is always preferred and may be required by code.
• Use appropriate insulation practices.
  When pipe must be installed in unconditioned areas, compatible insulation must be used on the pipe to slow the rate of freezing. Heat trace systems may be used in connection with some piping materials to warm the pipe within these spaces. Be sure to use an insulation material or heat trace system that is compatible with the pipe. To determine compatibility with FlowGuard Gold CPVC, use the FBC™ System Compatible Program.
• Install pipes under slab foundations instead of overhead.
  By installing piping beneath the slab, the natural geothermal insulation of the ground will often be adequate to protect against frozen pipes. In addition, running pipes under the slab can have other benefits to builders and contractors, including faster installations and lower installed costs. Always verify that local codes allow installation of water distribution piping under slab.
• Seal exterior wall penetrations
  Holes or gaps in exterior walls for cable or electrical penetrations can allow cold outside air to reach pipes, creating a “wind chill” effect that accelerates freezing within pipes. Sealing exterior penetrations and gaps can help prevent cold air from flowing around the pipes.

Different materials may fail from freezing at different rates, but all materials are vulnerable to failure from freezing and should be protected. To access more plumbing resources, visit FlowGuardGold.com.

Jonathan Simon is the North American residential plumbing manager for Lubrizol Advanced Materials Inc., the parent company for FlowGuard Gold Pipe and Fittings.

Xylem, Chris Long Foundation and Water Well Trust partner to further awareness of rural water access challenges

Brandi Bentley-Brown of Rimrock, Arizona, received a​ new water well system on her property this week that will provide dependable water access,
something the household has been living without for six years. Made possible through a​ collaborative effort between Xylem Inc., the Water Well Trust (WWT) and Waterboys – a charity​ initiative founded by two-time Super Bowl Champion, Chris Long – this installation and​ subsequent donation covered all aspects of the project, including necessary equipment, well​ drilling and installation, as well as completion of home improvement projects. Local partners​ Karam Brothers and Northern Arizona Pump played a crucial role in the installation, while The​ Vinyl Institute provided PVC piping material.

​“What drives me to do this work is knowing that I can help people solve their water problems. In Brandi’s case, her family had been without reliable water for six years, which is unimaginable,” said Nathan White, Owner and Operator, Northern Arizona Pump. “When Goulds Water Technology reached out and brought us in, we were more than happy to help. We’ve been drilling in this area for over 50 years, so it’s great to be able to give back to the community in this way. For us, being able to restore access to clean, dependable water is more rewarding than anything else.”

Bentley-Brown has lived on her Rimrock property since 2017 with her husband, Tai, and her son, Drake. Since the shared well serving their home and five other households went dry in 2018, Bentley-Brown and her family have had to haul water daily, adding to their challenges without a reliable water source. Despite managing mast cell activation syndrome, Bentley​ Brown has been working extra shifts to help make ends meet. Along with addressing her own health, she cares for her mother, who is battling terminal cancer, and assists in raising her three nephews, whom she plans to welcome into her home in the future. Additionally, her son is undergoing medical treatment, which adds to the strain of the family’s expenses.

​“This well is truly life-changing for us,” said Brandi Bentley-Brown. “We’ve spent so much time and effort just trying to get by without reliable water—hauling jugs, borrowing trailers and depending on friends to shower or do laundry. It’s been exhausting, but it also made me realize how fortunate we are to have that support. This well means so much more than water—it’s stability, relief and a huge weight lifted off our shoulders.”

“Partnering with Xylem and the Water Well Trust to bring clean water to families like Brandi’s is what HometownH2O is all about,” said 2018 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner Chris Long. “This project marks our 20th milestone together, and we’re proud to continue making a difference for families who’ve gone too long without reliable water access.”

​This donation marks the 20th collaborative project for Xylem, WWT and HometownH2O – a domestic water initiative dedicated to bringing clean, sustainable water to people and communities in need across the United States. Launched in early 2020, HometownH2O is a united effort between Long, his Foundation’s Waterboys initiative and Xylem to address water scarcity issues, which currently leave more than 2.2 million Americans without access to clean water. HometownH2O works alongside WWT, a national nonprofit that helps fund and supply water to low-income families.

“We’re honored to support Brandi and her family with a reliable source of clean water through our HometownH2O initiative,” said Susan O’Grady, senior director of marketing, building services and agriculture, Xylem. “Access to water is essential, yet too many families in rural areas still face significant challenges. With our partners, we’re not only helping to solve immediate water access issues, but also raising awareness about the ongoing water crisis in communities across the country.”

Xylem, in conjunction with its Goulds Water Technology brand, is engaged in regular water well initiatives to provide secure water access to rural areas, striving to increase public awareness of the challenges surrounding lack of water access. For more information about the HometownH2O project, visit waterboys.org/hometown.

When your clients are concerned about their homes or businesses being near sources of pollution such as factories or wildfires or need to improve indoor air quality to address allergies or other health concerns, you can better meet their requirements by installing state-of-the-art filter systems.

This article explores recent advancements in HVAC filtration systems designed to improve indoor air quality. It covers innovative technologies, such as HEPA filters and air purifiers, that effectively remove pollutants, allergens, and contaminants, providing healthier and more comfortable indoor environments.

HEPA Filters

Small contaminants in the air, including particulate matter from pollution, bacteria, pollen, and dust can wreak havoc on people’s health as well as make their homes and businesses less comfortable. Children, the elderly, and sensitive individuals — such as those with asthma or other respiratory ailments — will feel the effects of these contaminants even more strongly.

When you visit a client for an AC repair job and they mention that they want to boost indoor air quality, you’ll want to suggest using high-efficiency air filters, which are rated on the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) scale from 1-20.

Higher MERV ratings correspond to a filter’s capability to capture more particles. For example, medium efficiency filters range from 5-8 on the MERV scale, while higher efficiency MERV filters rated 13-16 can cut down particles up to 95%.

For advanced protection, install filters with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) rating, which corresponds to MERV 17-20, according to the U.S. government’s air quality resource.

Remind your clients to clean or replace their air filters per the manufacturer’s guidance if they are not hiring you to take care of this task when you perform routine preventative maintenance.

IoT Devices

To further enhance indoor air quality, install Internet of Things devices (which can include sensors and actuators), to help boost indoor air quality. With IoT technology integrated with the client’s air filter, you have a smart filter that delivers air quality data in real time.

Homeowners and business owners can monitor the status of their indoor air quality and adjust the HVAC controls accordingly, even from remote using computers or mobile devices.

Air Purification Devices

You can purify indoor air using advanced devices such as ionizers and ultraviolet lights.

• Ionizers

Installing a bipolar ionization system on the air handling unit of a building’s HVAC system sends ions into the air to force particles to clump together to form bigger particles, making it easier for filters to capture them.

Ionizers can also render pathogens harmless, which people use to combat ailments such as influenza and the common cold (and COVID, according to laboratory research). Deploy ionizers with caution, as some systems may increase ozone concentration in a building to the point that people experience respiratory reactions.

• UV-C Light Systems

Another tool for combatting pathogens in the air is a germicidal UV unit. Because of the high energy loads needed to run them, these units are geared more toward commercial facilities rather than residences.

UV-C wavelengths destroy pathogens’ external protein layer, nullifying them. However, you must handle, install, and use UV-C systems with care because they can damage people’s corneas, harm DNA, and cause cancer.

These dangers tend to occur in UV-C systems used primarily to sterilize surfaces. However, employing a UV-C system that cleans an air stream in conjunction with HVAC equipment can be an effective solution as long as you keep the safety considerations top of mind to safeguard occupants.

Taking Advantage of HVAC Filtration Technology to Benefit Your Clients

Professional tradespeople working to provide their clients with healthier and more comfortable indoor environments will want to take advantage of innovative technologies — such as air purifiers, HEPA filters, and integrated IoT devices — to eliminate allergens, contaminants, and pollutants.

Author bio: Michael Carlson is the President of Gene May Heating & Cooling. He has been in the heating and cooling industry for more than 32 years and is the sole owner of the business.

Hydronics Webinars Hosted by NTI Open Up Classroom for Contractors

By Thomas Renner

Continuing education is essential in any industry. Very few manufacturers, however, go the extra mile to assist workers who need training and product support.

David Zerbe discovered a team that provides a different path toward customer education. Four years ago, Zerbe – a contractor with Steam Specialist HVAC in Pennsylvania – started attending webinars offered by NTI. The bi-monthly, hour-long webinars cover all things hydronics and are the longest-running webinars of any boiler manufacturer.

The “Thirsty Thursday” learning sessions are part of the customer service and training offerings from NTI, which is part of the Ariston Group.  In addition to the webinars, Zerbe has found the manufacturer’s customer service and technical proficiency helpful in advancing his product knowledge and offering his customers superior craftsmanship.

Zerbe said his company’s previous owner helped him discover NTI products. “We were looking for a new condensing boiler to install and was pointed towards NTI through our supplier, APR,’’ Zerbe said. “I received an email about Thirsty Thursdays and I started sitting in on them, and immediately loved the environment and the learning.”

Learning Extension

The free webinars are an extension of NTI’s support for contractors who want to learn more about their craft and grow their business. Contractors who attend the seminar learn how to set up boilers more efficiently and safely while also learning about new equipment and industry trends.

The webinars – which have been uploaded to YouTube this year – cover a wide range of issues, everything from detailed product information to navigating legal complexities. “We’re invested in what we’re doing,’’ said Steve Wieland, Mid-Atlantic Regional Sales Manager of NTI. “The contractors love it. They’ve learned a lot by the seat of their pants and from working with guys 40 years ago. A lot of old dogs are calling me and saying I didn’t think anyone could teach me new tricks. It’s a fun time.”

Condensing boilers are highly efficient – most newer models reach over 90 percent efficiency – and can help save homeowners hundreds of dollars each year. Condensing boilers can reduce a household’s carbon footprint and do not require specific ventilation through a chimney, as is required with non-condensing boilers.

The boilers also have more complex internal systems. The webinars help contractors get a better understanding of the sophisticated internal components, and cover everything related to installation and service of the units.

“Contractors will find out about piping, hydronics, set up and everything from standard hydronic systems to snow melt systems,’’ Wieland said. “We have been doing some part-specific things. One episode we spent 45 minutes on negative-pressure gas valves. We’ll cover every aspect of piping and venting, everything that’s going on in the boiler room.”

Support System

The webinars are a unique component to NTI’s education and support platforms, which include dedicated technical support, hands-on training sessions and videos, and live chats on the company website. From the manufacturing of the unit to the education network, NTI has a unique focus on supporting technicians. Zerbe found out quickly how NTI’s support network benefits contractors.

“On my first install, I had questions and called tech support,’’ Zerbe said. “Normally when you call a tech support number you are on hold for hours. Within minutes I was on the phone with someone and had all of my questions answered. And over the years, I’ve had to call with issues where I needed support. They will walk through testing and parts and track down the problem with you.”

Zerbe works primarily with NTI’s TRX line, which includes embedded Wi-Fi connectivity and a user interface that has been redesigned for efficiency and ease of use. A swing-down control box enhances serviceability and makes all major components easily accessible.

“Working with NTI, I have learned that they are made to make my life as a technician easier,’’ Zerbe said. “When a part fails, you don’t get a code that tells you it could be this problem, or it could be that problem. The codes are very well-defined. And when we install them, no house is the same. You can set the parameters to the application and it’s all set.”

Driving Conversation

The webinars are a unique method of bringing contractors together to enhance learning, share information and for many, discuss industry trends. Knowledge is power, and the lively discussions help contractors learn from one another about all the issues impacting the heating industry.

“It gives people across the nation a chance to talk to one another,’’ Wieland said. “It’s opening up the discussion to the entire nation. The webinars are having a far greater impact than I ever thought they would.”

While many customers talk about their commitment to customer service, very few offer education and support programs that benefit clients. Contractors can even go to the NTI website to sign up for live training.

“NTI stands behind its boilers, and there are many different applications where you can use them,’’ Zerbe said. “That’s what sold me on them. And I will continue to watch the videos and recommend them to any customer that wants to have a condensing boiler in their home.”

Thomas Renner writes on building, construction and other trade industry topics for publications throughout the United States.