Heating Help

Passive House

@ December 4, 2011 1:29 PM in Future of energy prices

Actually there is NY's very first certified passive house in Hudson Valley , built recently.
I've done work for this Architect in the past, not on this project though.

My opinions about the Passive design is that 6 homes with an added 2 inches of insulation is better for the environment, than one house with 12 inches of added insulation.

http://hudsonpassiveproject.com/

ACCA

@ October 12, 2011 7:12 PM in The RPA has gone

Also another email I received today , ACCA (Air conditioning Contractors Assoc.) is adding a Radiant and Hydronics Council (RHC) within the organization .
The first chairman will be Dan Foley, also Sigenthaler, Dave Yates, and Bob Hot Rod Rohr and other contractors will be on an advisory committee.

Which should be a more contractor focused association for the hydronics/radiant industry.

I will miss the RPA, I've been "away" from the RPA for over a year sorry I did not get to see Ted Lowe once again .

Specs

@ July 9, 2011 8:23 PM in 5-ton Unichiller internal pump

Rob,

Here's a link to spec sheets with electrical data, and pump info.
I put one in a few months ago, cooling only for now, with Unico green series air handlers and smart control board. I was pleased.
http://www.unicosystem.com/Portals/0/Pdf_Files/Bulletin_40-60_(2004-10).pdf

Hey Matt

@ March 27, 2011 11:19 PM in In search of....Devan Singh

I'm still around, mostly lurking.

Hope your doing well, shoot me an email .

Ugly duct work

@ October 23, 2010 9:23 AM in We're having a contest!

Rather than shoot myself in the foot and show ugly hot water systems, I'd be more impressed if the $1000 went to the ugliest hot air install.
The future looks bright for hydronics.

interesting article

@ October 20, 2010 6:50 PM in The new PHC News

I actually think the future of hydronics will grow with the growing future of the electrical grid.

manufacturers

@ October 16, 2010 7:47 PM in Great Learning opportunities from the RPA

chris,

one of the main difference with rpa webinars are they are not product specific. sure we know hot rod works for caleffi but other manufacturers address dirt and air also, and rpa webinars are general or try to be as much as possible.
maybe that will change as did the recent name change now that it is in an "alliance" with manufactures.

my membership and cerification with rpa has directly generated tens of thousands of dollars in jobs, i'll pay the $25. and chris if you throw some work my way since i'm in the area, imaybe 'll join yours too.

Still need fossil fuels

@ August 12, 2010 6:35 AM in Sustainability versus Eco-Bling

Rob,
A-W HP, ERV/DOAS , ECM pumps still need electric to run them. Although somewhat outside the home, the grid needs to be addresses, and improved greater transmission efficiencies, and power plants. Of course making those improvements will mean higher electric operating costs vs. fossil.

So my two cents are all those things you mentioned , PLUS in house generated electric, or grid tied, via PV, COGEN, or Fuel cells.

handles

@ August 12, 2010 6:21 AM in Manual 3-way mixing valve

I see the difference, both the valves are ESBE, just proprietary handles for tekmar or danfoss. At one point Uponor used ESBE valves, check there.

tekmar

@ August 11, 2010 7:17 PM in Manual 3-way mixing valve

I think Tekmar is Danfoss

http://www.tekmarcontrols.com/literature/acrobat/d710.pdf

We'll see

@ August 7, 2010 6:13 AM in Pressure Testing Radiators

I will only know for sure when filled with water, there's still the old supply and return pipes behind the plaster walls. Radiators are the least of my concerns.

just did this

@ August 6, 2010 6:43 PM in Pressure Testing Radiators

converting a two pipe steam in a total house renovation job into hot water. Pulled out the guts in the traps, new trv valves on the supply, and new air vents. Pump everything up with air at 25 psi, (2x the working pressure on a hydronic system), left with air over night.
Seems ok. But I agree, if water is available a water test is just as good, or better.

There's an App for that.

@ July 9, 2010 6:34 AM in Best Flashlight ?

Found a cool app for my Blackberry, FlashLight One touch. It turns your phone into a flashlight via using it's camera flashbulb .

Lost tools

@ July 9, 2010 6:30 AM in Eager apprentice....

Early in my career , as a plumbers helper in NYC we finished working for the day and I was bringing tools and extra materials back to truck. I threw some stuff in the truck and Tony and myself started to drive away. About 1/2 block I realized I left his tools on the curb.

Now driving in Manhattan is interesting because each street is a maze of alternating one way streets, so I had to go two streets down, and over to get back to where we were. By the time we were back in front of building tools were gone. I felt bad, but told Tony I'd replace all his tools, of course not uncommon for a plumber to have tools decades old, that is father gave him. It was a silent ride back to shop.

Any way my boss was cool, told Tony to go buy whatever he needs to replace tools.

Safe Flashlights

@ July 3, 2010 2:12 PM in Best Flashlight ?

Tim ,

I don't see any wording or ratings on any flashlights that would be "safe".
What do I look for?

A myriad of choices

@ July 2, 2010 5:59 AM in Best Flashlight ?

Thanks all for your suggestions.
Searching the web, there are countless flashlights out there.
One search landed me at www.literoo.com price seems good, too.

Best Flashlight ?

@ July 1, 2010 6:14 AM in Best Flashlight ?

My eyes are not getting any younger, and I find myself looking for a flashlight/worklight more and more.
I'm currently carrying a small LED type pocket light that was given to me by a sales rep but it uses a lot of batteries and now I have to tap it once in a while to turn on.
For bigger areas I have a 18volt DeWalt with a flex head for positioning, but it's not all that bright.
I'm, looking for something really bright,portable,and can clamp or hang and stay put, durable, and won't put me in the poor house from buying batteries.
What are you guys using?

New Location

@ June 20, 2010 11:32 AM in RPA

They are in the process of renovating ( complete with radiant heat ) a new space in Liverpool , NY.
The current office is small location in corner while construction is going on. However, the RPA now has a full time paid office staff. Try again, I'm not sure what the new NY number is however.

Look for some good changes ahead !!

hypothetical

@ May 29, 2010 8:06 PM in Superheat

no problem with any system wayne, but not sure how you come up with 78 *f at 79psig. check your gauge again.

let me put it another way. if measured suction temp is 58*f , pt chart range 48*f or 68*f , both within targeted superheat of 10*f.

target superheat = measured outside dry bulb and interior wet bulb, not manufacturers rating.

Thanks

Superheat

@ May 29, 2010 7:37 AM in Superheat

Does it matter when measuring superheat , if you are lower or higher, as long as you within.
For example: Measured low side temp of pipe is 58*F, should manifold gauge read, 79psig or 117psig on a R-22 system with a target of 10*F superheat.?

First Co.

@ May 15, 2010 9:34 AM in Chilled water coils

First Co. have some very good units with water coils.


Rob, you could buy duct without too much tin knocking involved.

I see

@ May 12, 2010 5:56 PM in Chilled water coils

I was just figuring on "rules of thumb" duct sizing.
You know - 500-600 sq.ft approx one ton per cooling
350-450 cfm's per cooling ton
ductulator sizing fpm's for 8" round, coming up short for a whole building.

So, what methods did you use for determining cooling loads(latent and sensible), how much OA needed, what will control ERV to run near continously?

Cooled ceilings, definately some neat stuff, a good deal of info and products at this year RPA show, as a matter of fact I had a pretty good conversation with one gentleman from Austria whom I believe is installing ceiling cooling panels at RPA's new place this week in Liverpool, NY as I type.