Article for Plumbing & HVAC Product News - September 2004
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Passionate men by Constance Wrigley-Thomas Don’t tell my husband, but I’ve been spending a lot of my time with various men. Passionate men I might add. But before your imagination runs wild, allow me to clarify. The men I’m referring to are the members of the Canadian Hydronics Council. And the reason for their passion? The future of Canada’s hydronic heating industry! The past twelve months have been very productive for CHC and for the entire hydronics industry. With over 10% growth over the previous year for hydronics in 2003 and a year-to-date growth of 6.8% in the first half of 2004, the industry continues to heat up. With this unprecedented increase in product sales and installations, there is a corresponding demand placed upon CHC for leadership and expertise in codes and standards, quality training, marketing and even statistical information. CHC has reorganized itself to meet these new demands. With representation on the Council from all CIPH regions, CHC is a truly national council and is prepared to meet the ever-increasing demands of a burgeoning hydronics industry. With participation from each of CIPH’s regions as well as from the Alberta Hydronics Advisory Council and the Residential Hot Water Heating Association of BC, CHC is gearing up to deliver services in three key areas: Education and Training: The hydronics training program based on the CSA B214 is up and running at both British Columbia Institute of Technology and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and will be producing graduates within the next two years. These grads will have to meet the educational and experiential requirements of a CHC-managed certification program, thus ensuring that hydronics installations are done by qualified individuals and according to a national standard. The hydronics training program will be rolled out in the future at several other colleges across Canada. Additionally, CHC will be announcing two new hydronics courses later this fall that will be delivered through CIPH regions. Stakeholder Relations: CHC had some interesting dilemmas this past year with the CSA B214 and the 2005 National Building Code. Our main challenge was in convincing the code decision-makers that the CSA B214 Installation Code for Hydronics Heating Systems should be referenced in Part 9 of the 2005 National Building Code making it an enforceable document. CHC is committed to making the CSA B214 part of the National Building Code and through the National Hydronics Design Standard Committee, is supporting the process to formalize a technical committee for the standard. This technical committee’s mandate will be to revise and republish the CSA B214 and CHC will be working hard to get it referenced in the Code by 2006. Additionally, CHC has identified national committees where it needs to have a presence in order for the hydronics heating industry to have a say in efficiency standards, housing policies and workforce training. It is critical that we have a seat at every table where home heating is discussed in order to protect market share, promote industry standards and help the consumer make informed choices when it comes to home heating. Industry and Consumer Marketing
CHC launched its brand new, consumer-friendly Ultimate Comfort marketing series earlier this year at CIPHEX Ontario. These hugely popular brochures and posters are available in both English and French and can be ordered through CIPH’s website. Further to this, a brand new “Ultimate Comfort” website will be launched at CIPHEX West in November. Stay tuned.
CHC and its members passionately believe that hydronics is the “Ultimate Comfort” in home heating. The Council also believes that minimum standards, such as the CSA B214 Installation Code for Hydronic Heating Systems, need to be in place as a basis for consumer protection and safety. This is why CHC promotes training and certification to ensure a reasonable level of competency by those installing hydronic-heating systems. Come to think of it, I share their passion. And don’t worry about telling my husband. He already knows. 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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