Article for Plumbing & HVAC Product News - November 2004
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Homebuilders still a tough sell by Constance Wrigley-Thomas
One thing became patently clear last April as we prepared to make our presentation to the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes at their meeting in Victoria, B.C.
We still have a long way to go in selling the advantages of hydronics to homebuilders.
Nevertheless, we were somewhat astonished to read the headline in the September 2004 issue of Home BUILDER magazine that said “CHBA nixes costly hydronic standard.”
In the article, CHBA stakes its claim to the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes rejection of the CSA B214.01 Installation Code for Hydronic Heating Systems in Part 9 of the 2005 National Building Code (NBC) because it did not fall within the objectives of the code. The article goes on to say that “at least $3,500 in additional costs for each new house” was avoided. Given the context of the article, we are assuming that the cost savings will be to the builder, not the consumer.
What the article fails to mention is that the CCBFC did vote to accept referencing of the document in NBC Part 6 under “Best Engineering Practices.” Furthermore, at its April 5, 2004 meeting, the CCBFC voted unanimously to allow an interim change to NBC Part 9 once CSA has made changes to the hydronic standard. The CCBFC’s acknowledgement that the CSA B214 did merit another look gave CHC the confidence and the impetus to persuade CSA to formalize the Technical Committee for the CSA B214 and to begin the next phase of its evolution.
It gives us heartburn when articles such as this neglect to point out that most consumers don’t have a choice when selecting their home heating systems. In approximately 95% of the home purchases in Canada, the heating system is not hydronic. For those consumers, however, who are fortunate enough to be working with enlightened builders and who have a say in choosing their home heating, a hydronic heating system installed by a qualified contractor is an energy-efficient and cost-effective choice. For the homeowner who seeks the ultimate in home heating, there are potential cost savings on their heating bill, not to mention even, comfortable heat and a whisper quiet system.
Regrettably for some consumers, unqualified contractors can and do perform installations of hydronic heating systems with disastrous results. It was for this reason that the CSA B214 Installation Code for Hydronic Heating Systems was developed.
The hydronics industry, and Canadian Hydronics Council in particular, has demonstrated tremendous leadership by endorsing a national standard training program based on the CSA B214 competencies and is currently developing a framework for the CHC certification program for Hydronics Designers and Hydronics Installers. These efforts will result in a qualified workforce; safe and appropriate installations; and reduced health and safety risks and unnecessary maintenance or replacement bills.
We are pleased to report that the CSA B214 standard will be amended and/or revised by a CSA Technical Committee complete with balanced matrix that represents producer interest, user interest, regulatory authority and general interest and which will include manufacturers of hydronics products, contractors, educators, and users. Once this technical committee has been formalized by CSA, we anticipate that representatives from organizations with an interest in hydronics, will be invited, by the technical committee chair and by CSA, to participate in the process. It is CHC’s goal to continue to educate the homebuilding industry about the advantages of hydronic heating. It is in our best interest to engage with homebuilders and discuss how our industries can work together to not only assist each other, but also benefit consumers.
Constance Wrigley-Thomas is the Program Manager for the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating. She is Secretariat to the Canadian Hydronics Council and the Plumbing Industry Advisory Council and the Manager of the Canadian Water Quality Association. She can be reached at hydronics@ciph.com or (416) 695-0447.
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