Heating

Had enough of cold feet, chilly drafty rooms and dry dusty air? With the cost of energy what it is, we believe that radiant floor heating is a viable alternative to the standard (convection) forced air heating system. Instead of just heating the air, a radiant floor heating systemoffers true thermal comfort by radiating warmth from within the floor, distributing steady, even heat to the air, walls, furniture and floor. There are no heaters, radiators or vents to work around, making it easy to place things where you want them – not where your vents dictate. With no blowing fans, life is that much healthier for anyone allergic to dust and allergens. With the ultimate control over your heat, room by room, radiant floor heating promises you the utmost in comfort while consuming less energy.

Snow and Ice Melting Systems
Radiant heating systems are also used to remove snow and ice by circulating a heat transfer solution (usually antifreeze and water) through a piping system. These systems are safer, can reduce indoor maintenance costs (no salt or water tracked inside), eliminate the costs of snow removal, reduce liability exposure, and provide the ultimate in convenience.

What is radiant floor heat?
There are two main types of heating: convection and radiant. Convection heating heats the space by heating the air. Radiant heating heats objects in the space without heating the air first. In a radiant or hydronic floor heating system warm water circulates through pipes located beneath the floor – radiating heat upward and creating a feeling similar to standing in the sun on a summer’s day. Instead of simply maintaining interior temperatures within a certain range, radiant heating reduces the loss of body heat by warming the interior surfaces of floors, walls, ceilings, windows and doors. In addition to all the fittings and parts you’ll need, we supply cross-linked polyethylene pipe specially designed by Rehau for hydronic heating systems. This innovative pipe material has outstanding physical and thermal properties. Versatile, durable and resistant to the stresses of water pressure and temperature fluctuations, this pipe is far superior than other pipe. Manufactured using a chemical process known as the Engel Method, this pipe is resistant to kinking and cracking, and is much stronger and more flexible than pipe which has not undergone the same chemical metamorphosis.

Advantages of Radiant Floor Heating.
The overall reduction in lower energy consumption is due to several things:

• Reduction in room temperature stratification: Radiant floor heating all but eliminates the familiar but uncomfortable situation of warm air rising to the ceiling while cool air stays at the floor level. This reduces the transfer of heat through the ceiling and upper portions of the wall. The greater the height of a room, or the taller the building, the more beneficial this feature is.
• Out of Mind, Out of Sight: Radiant floor heating systems and piping system that supplies the warm water are easily concealed and routed throughout the building. This places fewer constraints on the placement of furniture placement and will preserve the architectural aesthetics of rooms without compromising thermal comfort.
• Easily Zoned: Radiant Floor heating gives you control over the temperature of each room. You’ll never have the problem of finding one room boiling hot while another remains freezing cold. You’ll be able to find the perfect temperature for each room, which should lower heating bills.
• No Air Motion: In addition to distributing dust, odors and airborne viruses throughout the building, forced air systems pressurize rooms increasing air leakage and wasting energy. In radiant floor heating systems, on the other hand, air motion is virtually undetectable.
• Noise Reduction: Unlike a central forced air system, radiant floor heating systems are extremely quiet. They eliminate expansion noise, sheet metal vibration or velocity noises caused by air motion.
• Increases Boiler Efficiency: Since your comfort can be maintained at a much lower temperature, the heating load is much lighter than it is in a central forced air system. This should reduce the the load on your boiler system increasing its life span.
• Adaptable: Low temperature heat from solar collectors, geothermal heat pumps, or waste heat recovery systems can often be utilized.

Applications
Radiant floor heating is much more than a solution for residential heating. It’s not only allows you to provide heat and warmth, but it keeps things dry allowing you to maintain comfortable indoor environment all year long. This is a great benefit for any commericial, industrial or institutional undertaking in a cold and wet environment. Here are just a few examples:

• Greenhouses
• Residences – cottages, custom homes and renovations.
• Resorts
• Colleges & Universities
• Fire Stations – After a run, the firefighters can pull the trucks in and just let them sit. In no time at all the ice and snow melt off. Plus, they can lay their hoses out on the ground and come back to find them dry as a bone.
• Driveways – underground parking lots and walkways.

Contact us today at the following location:

NORTH BRANCH Tel: 416.492.6444 NORTH YORK ONTARIO CANADA

A critical household heating appliance is your hot water heater. Powered by electricity or gas, the hot water heater warms cold water and prepares it for use in your showers, baths, washing machines and dishwashers. If you own a house, chances are you take your hot water heater for granted. They sit quietly in your basement and go about their business of heating water without a lot of fuss. But since water heating can account for as much as 25% of the energy consumed in a typical home or business, and with the cost of heating on the rise, selecting the best water heater has to be your highest priority.

New Tankless Hot Water Heaters !!
Click here for more information on our new line of tankless water heaters.

With our supplier Rheem Water Heaters, we offer the most energy efficient water heaters on the market today. As the second largest energy user in the home, it is important that you choose the most energy efficient water heater possible.

How Do Hot Water Heaters Work?
Whenever you turn on a hot water faucet or have a hot shower, heated water is drawn from the top of the tank and is replaced by cold water that is carried to the bottom through the dip tube. When the water temperature drops, a thermostat activates a heat source – either a burner in a gas model or two heating elements in an electric model. A gas heater has a flue running up the center and out the top to vent deadly gasses. An electric heater needs no venting. In both, an anti-corrosion anode attracts corrosion that would otherwise attack the tank’s walls.

Selecting a Hot Water Heater
Most of us don’t bother shopping for a new water heater unit until its too late. While most us will buy a water heater because it is the right size, the most important factor is probably the EF and FHR ratings. The higher these ratings are the better. Whether you’re replacing an old hot water heater or installing one in a new house, it’s important to look at some of the options available:

• Type – there are two main types of conventional storage hot water heaters: electric and gas water heaters. Choosing between them depends on how much you want to spend, whether you have access to gas, how much electricity costs and where you live.
• R-Value: Since conventional models store the heated water in a tank, energy can be wasted even when a hot water tap isn’t running. Called standby heat loss, this cannot be avoided unless you go with a tankless water heater. Your only other option is to insulate the tank yourself with a water heater blanket or look for models with tanks that have a thermal resistance (R-Value) of R-12 to R-25.
• Capacity – decide what size or capacity of water heater you’ll need. Choose the capacity based on the number of users, the number of showers or bathtubs, and whether or not you have a dishwasher. We stock models ranging from 20 to 80 gallons with the 40 to 50 gallon models being the most popular.
• Construction – try to choose a water heater made with stainless steel to eliminate corrosion at tank openings.
• Self-cleaning – reduces lime and sediment buildup.
• Recovery Speed – the faster a heater can replace hot water, the more energy it will use. If you are constantly in need of a larger supply of hot water, the better the recovery speed should be.
• First Hour Rating: find out what the first hour rating (FHR) is to get an idea of how much hot water will be available during consistent use. Once you decide a water heater, calculate your household’s peak-hour demand and look for a unit with an FHR in that range.
• Energy Factor: A units energy factor (EF) rating is based on how much heat is transferred to the water, standby heat loss in an hour, and any losses of heat through cycling. Try to buy the unit with the highest EF rating. EF ratings for most water heaters are in the range of 0.5 – 0.95. Electric water heaters have an EF ranging from 0.7 to 0.95, while gas and a few high efficiency water heaters have a rating from 0.5 to 0.7.
• Total Cost: try to estimate how much a heater will cost over its lifetime. For instance, what is the initial investment cost, running or operation costs and maintenance costs if there are any.
• Installation: Avoid installing the water heater in an unheated basement and try to keep the length of the pipes that run to your bathroom and kitchen as short as possible.
• Warranties: Extended warranties and new energy saving designs are worth considering. Most water heaters have an 8 to 10 year warranty and some are warranted not to leak for as long as you own your home.

Rheem
Rheem began manufacturing water heaters in the 1930s and has developed a highly respected product line and a distribution network throughout North America. Today, Rheem is a leading North American producer of water heaters that are used for residential and commercial applications and operate on a variety of fuels. All Rheem water heaters have the Rheem Mains Pressure Advantage built in. This means you will always have a water heater designed to provide a steady, hot and strong flow of water at mains pressure to more than one tap at the same time.

Contact us today at the following location:

NORTH BRANCH Tel: 416.492.6444 NORTH YORK ONTARIO CANADA

For your heating needs, we supply baseboard radiators for perimeter convection heating. Our baseboard radiators are proven performers in a very competitive market. We offer decorative baseboard designs that are ideal for renovating older homes or historical buildings. Efficient, easy to install, and cheap to operate, our heating equipment is designed to succeed. Our suppliers include top brand names such as SlantFin, Stelrad and Weil-Mclain.

Baseboard Radiators: Most heating contractors use baseboard radiation as perimeter heat, running it from room to room along the outside walls of the building. Piped this way, the baseboard radiation becomes the piping as well as the means for transferring heat from the water to the air. Compared to earlier methods of heating, the baseboard loop system is inexpensive and relatively foolproof. Our hot water baseboard radiators offer decorating advantages homeowners want most, ease of assembly and installation that demand and the performance excellence that assures long-term customer satisfaction.

SlantFin Baseboard Radiators: Long acclaimed by contractors for its construction quality and ease of installation, Fine/Line 30 is Canada’s premier baseboard for hot water heating systems. Its super strong enclosure features a fully modulating damper and extra heavy support brackets with cutouts for return piping. Double bent aluminum fins won’t loosen. Long-lasting self-adjusting plastic expansion cradles eliminate noisy metal to metal contact.
Stelrad Baseboard Radiators: The Stelrad Heating System is a European style heating system, like the old fashioned radiant heat, but designed to contain the optimum volume of water for greatest heating return and quickest response time. Although the units can be used with steam systems, running at 140-160°F, this system provides comfortable heat efficiently with individual control of each compact unit. Intelligent boiler controls can also be used to regulate water heat based on outside temperature and inside demand. If you go to www.stelradcanada.com, pick the model number that you are looking for and email it to us, we will get you a quote.
Weil-McLain Baseboard Radiators: Weil-McLain High Trim Baseboard is designed for installation where heat loss is high or wall space is limited. High Trim is ideal in any building where these conditions exist, not only because of high output and strong durable construction, but also because styling and precision manufacturing result in an exceptionally clean-lined, well-fitting and attractive baseboard. Available in modern baked white enamel.

Contact us today at the following location:

HEAD OFFICE Tel: 416.492.6444 NORTH YORK ONTARIO CANADA

For your business or home heating needs, we supply hot water boilers for heating water. Whether you are interested in boilers for your home, office, apartment building or a large university, we provide a wide selection of hot water boilers to meet your heating needs. Efficient, easy to install, and cheap to operate, our heating equipment is designed to succeed. Our suppliers include top brand names such as SlantFin and Weil-Mclain.

Hot Water Boilers : Most small and large commercial buildings, manufacturers and business use hot water boilers. Water is heated to dispersing temperatures, typically 140-180ºF, and usually returned about 20ºF lower. These systems are called “closed loop”, with minimal fresh water make-up. We have boilers for every application – whether it be private residences and aartments to large commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. We have boilers for hot water or steam – for all fuels – for new buildings, retrofits, or replacements.

SlantFin Hot Water Boilers: The Victory II power vent atmospheric boiler is ideal for high efficiency heating in homes, apartments, individually metered condos or any application where a chimney may not be practical. Designed and built to high Slant/Fin standards specifically for power venting, Victory offers superior operating performance and long term reliability. Design innovations make the Victory II easier to install and service. Horizontal flue discharge components are factory installed. 3-inch flue connector

Weil McLain Hot Water Boilers: Weil McLain is the leading cast iron boiler manufacturer in North America. All Weil-McLain boiler sections are made of cast iron for strength, durability, and long life. It’s not unusual for a Weil-McLain boiler to last 35 years or more. Industry approved. All Weil-McLain boilers are built in accordance with the requirements of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Ratings are approved by The Hydronics Institute. Weil-McLain cast iron boilers are innovative, efficient, attractive, intelligent and designed with latest heating technology.

Contact us today at the following location:

NORTH BRANCH Tel: 416.492.6444 NORTH YORK ONTARIO CANADA

Tired of always having to wait for a few minutes before the hot water arrives, or of running out of hot water? Consider a tankless hot water heater – hot water at your finger tips the instant you need it. Tankless water heaters, also referred to as instantaneous water heaters, provide an endless supply of hot water without using a storage tank. Powered by gas or electricity, tankless water heaters are easy to install, cost effective, a space saver and are designed to last 20 years or more. They can be used as a supplementary source of hot water located at the point of use or can replace your existing hot water heater. Call us today for more information. Learn more about the Bosch Tankless Water Heaters.

If you go to www.protankless.com, pick the model number that you are looking for and email it to us, we will get you a quote.

How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?
Whenever you turn on a hot water faucet or have a hot shower, cold water travels through a pipe into the tankless hot water unit, where either a gas burner or an electric element heats the water. The faucet acts as a key for turning on the heating element to heat the hot water you need. The water is heated as it flows through the heating elements or heat exchanger. As the water pressure fluctuates, the heating element are adjusted to maintain a constant temperature and maximum energy efficiency. Once you turn the faucet off, the tankless hot water heating system also turns off.

Advantages of a Tankless Water Heater

1. Tankless water heaters are smaller, lighter and easier to install than a conventional water heater
2. Unlike a tank water heater, tankless water heaters never run out of hot water.
3. Traditional water heaters take up a lot of space while tankless water heaters hang on the wall saving you considerable floor space.
4. Tank water heaters store water which is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Tankless water heaters do not store hot water eliminating the risk of bacteria growth.
5. Tank water heaters have an average lifetime of only 2-9 years while tankless water heaters are designed to last 20 years or more.
6. Tankless water heaters maintain their efficiency for the life of the unit, while a conventional water heater becomes less efficient due to the annual build up of minerals.
7. Tank water heaters have an electric energy factor of .80 to .90 and a natural gas/liquid propane energy factor of .52 to .62. Tankless water heaters have an electric energy factor of .95 to .99 and a natural gas/liguid propane energy factor of .69 to .85.

Features of Tankless Water Heaters

• Efficiency – the term energy factor characterizes the efficiency of both tank and tankless water heaters. The energy factor is the portion of the energy going into the water heater that gets turned into usable hot water under average conditions. It takes into account heat loss through the walls of the tank, up the flue, and in combustion. The higher the energy factor, the more efficient the heater. Because tankless water heaters don’t have the losses associated with tanks, their energy factors are normally higher (although well-insulated, ultra-efficient tank heaters also have high energy factors). Energy factors for gas tankless water heaters range from around 0.69 to 0.84, compared with 0.55 for a conventional tank and 0.86 for an ultra-efficient tank heater. Conventional electric tank water heaters have an energy factor of about 0.87 compared with 0.91 for an ultra-efficient tank and 0.98 for electric tankless water heaters.
• Standing pilot or electronic ignitions. Tankless water heaters with standing pilot lights waste energy, but they can be cost effective in applications where water use is high, i.e., in a beauty salon. An electric ignition is your best bet where water use is lower, i.e., in your own home.
• Modulating or fixed energy input. Older tankless water heaters have a fixed energy output, so water temperatures vary inversely with flow rate. As the flow rate increases (more taps are turned on), the water becomes cooler. Conversely, as flow rate decreases the water becomes warmer. Newer models come with a modulating control that increases or decreases energy input to maintain the desired temperature in spite of varying flow rates and inlet temperatures. Use units with modulating controls when a steady temperature is required and also to prevent scalding in applications where people or animals may come in contact with the water. A modulating unit is not necessary when temperature fluctuations are acceptable as they are in a commercial laundry.
• Energy inputs. Electric heating element and gas requirements for tankless water heaters are much larger than for storage water heaters. A typical gas storage water heater has a gas input of 40,000 Btu/h. A gas tankless heater, however, may use up to 170,000 BTU/h and so may require larger gas lines and vents than conventional water heaters. Similarly, although a typical residential electric storage water heater draws at most 7,000 watts, a whole house electric tankless heater can draw as much as 19,200 watts, and may require 8 or 10 AWG copper wiring. Specifications for tankless water heaters also include requirements for minimum flow rates to activate them (usually around 1/2 to 3/4 gpm), as well as minimum and maximum water pressure (usually 15 to 150 psi).

Selecting a Tankless Hot Water Heater
Most of us don’t bother looking for a new water heater until its too late. Even fewer are aware that there other options besides the traditional storage tank water heater. Whether you’re replacing an old hot water heater or installing one in a new house, it’s important to look at some of the advantages of choosing the tankless option:

• Type – there are two main types of tankless water heaters: electric and gas/propane water heaters. Choosing between them depends on how much you want to spend, whether you have access to gas/propane, how much electricity costs and where you live. Most people choose a gas water heater because the cost of gas is approximately one third that of electricity. Gas tankless systems also have wider applications because they produce hot water at higher flow rates. An electric tankless system is an appropriate choice only when gas is not an option and no space is available for a tank hot water heater. Electric or gas/propane heaters can be whole house or point of use.
• Size or Capacity – Decide the model depending on what capacity or size you need during peak demand, the incoming water temperature, and the desired outgoing water temperature. Most units advertised as whole house tankless water heaters will provide 2 to 3 gallons per minute (gpm) of hot water at a 70°F temperature rise. Choose the model of water heater closest to your flow rate and temperature rise needs. Choose the capacity during peak demand based on the number of users, the number of showers or bathtubs, whether or not you have a dishwasher, and how many hot water devices you expect to have open at one time. Add up their flow rates and this determines your desired flow rate for the demand of water. For example, assume that you want a tankless water heater to operate a shower and kitchen sink at the same time. Most low flow showerheads require about 2 to 3 gpm, and most kitchen sinks about 1 to 15 gpm of mixed hot and cold water. Because showers and kitchen sinks usually use partly cold water, assume your peak demand is 2 gpm for the shower and 1 gpm for the sink, for a total peak demand of 3gpm.
• Cost Effectiveness – tankless water heaters are the most cost effective when used in high flow rate applications. Because there are so many variables involved in calculating cost effectiveness, it’s a good idea to do your own analysis. Analysis of a hypothetical situation reveals that payback periods for tankless heaters are significantly longer in lower water use applications (68.8 gallons per day) than in high water use applications (250 gallons per day). In the example, tankless water heaters have paybacks ranging from approximately 5.5 to 11 years in low water-use applications compared to approximately 3 to 7.5 years in high water-use applications. It is interesting to note that the tankless heater with a standing pilot light becomes more cost effective than the electronic control unit with the same flow capacity under high flow conditions. This is because when consumption is high enough, the pilot light does not waste a lot of energy. Because the example here includes many assumptions that may be different than your real life situation, we recommend that you use your own figures to determine cost effectiveness. Tankless heaters may become even more attractive when replacement costs are considered, since tank water heaters must be replaced between 6 to 10 years and the tankless heaters last at least 20 years. Other important costs to consider include upgrading energy supply lines and the possibility of hiring an additional qualified technician with experience installing tankless water heaters.

Contact us today at the following location:

NORTH BRANCH Tel: 416.492.6444 NORTH YORK ONTARIO CANADA