Sept 09, 2005., Delta Resort, Halliburton, Ontario. Just two weeks after an international conference call between housing researchers from NRCan¹ and 40 registered callers from the North American housing and HVAC² industry, 26 representatives from the RHWHA³ , AHAC⁴ , HPO⁵ , HRAI⁶ , HMG⁷ , and CHC/CIPH⁸ met to discuss the Canadian hydronic (radiant) heating industry, identifying four equally important target areas:

Leadership from all organizations agreed unilaterally to continue prioritizing Canada wide design and installation certification as a key objective to establishing a strong foundation for future growth of radiant based HVAC systems. The Canadian Standards Association CSA B214 Installation Code for Hydronic Heating System is at the forefront of the certification objective and is steadily establishing a presence as a reference document for inspectors, building officials, educational institutes, contractors and designers. Both CHC/CIPH and HRAI are running 16 to 30 hour professional development courses anticipating NAIT’s⁹ soon to be launched 180-hour program for installers and designers with RHWHA in conjunction with BCIT¹⁰ continuing is popular certification program.

Evident at the forum was a unanimous emphasis on collapsing any fragmentation amongst industry groups, which might detract from a single industry voice; concluding that a cohesive industry would be better at communicating the message that hydronic (radiant) based HVAC systems can be a key factor in total indoor environmental quality with recognition that both indoor air quality and indoor comfort quality must be present to satisfy the indoor environmental quality definition. Emphasized was a need to establish a common identity and message that consumers could recognize as a trust mark. This would be supported by a membership that displayed a nationally recognized logo representing such requirements as certification and association support to differentiate from those who operate below industry codes, standards and guidelines.

There was a heavy weighting in favor of initiating efficiency and comfort research in radiant based HVAC systems particularly in commercials applications such as warehouses, manufacturing, and service type facilities. Representatives acknowledged data emanating from such research is needed to support current and future messages for the continued marketing efforts of industry.

It was acknowledged and supported by the representatives at the forum that targeted marketing supported by industry membership is essential to a successful public relations campaign; delivering the message that water based HVAC systems will meet or exceed current and future consumer demands for therapeutic and energy efficient interior environmental conditioning systems.

There were a number of other issues that will be addressed by the various committees in the upcoming months to support these four target areas.

The meeting concluded with a letter from the Ministry of the Environment encouraging and supporting the efforts of the council.

Conference Call Reference:
http://www.healthyheating.com/Conference Calls/Aug_17_05.htm

Home Comfort Surveys and Letter from the Ministry of the Environment http://www.healthyheating.com/Conference Calls/Letter.htm

List of Participants (Alphabetical Order):

Robert Bean,R.E.T., Professional Services
Jason Bourque CIPH: Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating
Roy Collver,B.A, Mechanical Systems 2000 Inc.
Barry Cunningham, Triangle Supply Ltd.
Louis-Philippe Dube, IPEX Inc.
Scott Duncan, P.Eng. Honeywell
Simon Feddema, Grundfos Canada Inc.
Sean Giberson, Taco
Steve Goldie, Noble-Trade Plumbing Supplies Inc.
John Goshulak, P.Eng, Weil-McLean Canada Sales Inc.
David Heath, Wolseley Inc.
David Hughes, B.Ed., NAIT: Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Jack Keon, Retired Industry Professional
Hans Kircher, Armstrong (S.A.) Ltd.
Michael Kotyck, P.Eng Kotyck Bros. Ltd.
Martin Luymes, HRAI: Heating Refrigeration Air Conditioning Institute of Cda. Doug McDonald, Uponor Canada Inc.
Mike Miller, tekmar
David Morden, ECR International Ltd.
Peter Peroff, EMCO Corporation
Frank Stempski, Aqua Tech Sales & Marketing
David Treharne, Stelrad Canada
Leo Vaillancourt, Watts Radiant
Bob Villeneuve, SIE: Steam & Industrial Equipment Inc.
Kenneth Webster, Viessmann
(apologies to missing professional designations, please advise RB with corrections).

For further details contact info@healthyheating.com