NASCAR and hydronics

PAUL ROHRS,

contributing writer

When comparing the basic elements of a functioning hydronic system to the key aspects of a successful nascar team, you’ll see many similarities. Note the close parallels between the components, the crew, and their finely tuned equipment. In this article, you will see that the path to the winner’s circle most easily can be found when all of the components in your system are working at their optimum levels. In this competitive industry, we are constantly working together to create more effective parts, tools and techniques to accomplish this goal.

In all of the sport’s most cutting-edge cars, you’ll find a highly efficient, carefully specified, heat generating power plant of an engine. It therefore goes without saying, that such a complex device requires an equally complex unit for dissipating and regulating the mass of kinetic energy threatening to turn the Daytona 500 into the Daytona 51/2. Your heat-emitters are like the tires on your super advanced “hydronic vehicle,” and when asked, no first-class race team would ever say they compromise on the quality of their tires. Few race fans would concede to being a Tony Stewart fan one season, and a Dale Earnhardt Jr. supporter the next. As we design and sell systems, it is our responsibility to sell our expertise to the homeowner and to instill trust that the equipment we select will put them in the winner’s circle.

One important thing to remember: Your system still can have the best of everything as far as your budget allows, which it should, but unless you’ve focused in and made the small but significant changes necessary to maximize efficiency and functionality, your system will never be competing to its full potential. Time spent tuning with diagnostic tools will save you time in the future when proper combustion dictates smooth operation, as well as minimize call backs and service calls long after the completion of the project. Keep in mind: When a car leaves the pits, it’s prepared only for the normally projected conditions of the track. Conversely, as the components you chose for your application left the factory, they were designed for one purpose, and some changes may have to be made when you discover that purpose to differ from your needs.

Don’t be afraid to make these adjustments with the right set of tools; a pit crew can adapt to any situation it’s faced with, and installers can be equally well-prepared for the task of tuning their systems. A combustion analyzer is the one of the most vital tools in any radiant contractor’s toolbox. Every hydronic contractor I know is similar as it pertains to preferences of manufacturers’ equipment and the other components they install. Zone valve vs. zone pump arguments are as common as the ancient blood feuds amongst Ford and Chevy families. Professionals know their favorites and stick with them with very few exceptions. Regional differences usually help dictate whether you’re replacing or installing oil-fired boilers feeding single-pipe steam systems, or low-temp, high mass radiant in-floor heat with a modulating and condensing boiler, or perhaps even a three-pass water boiler with a variable speed injection mixing, feeding a constant flow into panel radiators. The list is never ending for this specifying family of professionals.

Every year, nascar has its rookie drivers. And every year we see hydronic systems installed by radiant rookies.  Some rookies do very well, others make the common rookie mistakes. Driving at 190 to 200 mph, a minor mistake can send you straight into the wall, and trust me I’ve been there, too. Once you’ve been there, you learn, employ that knowledge and try not to wind up there again.  Let’s face it, not all publicity is good. Hydronically speaking, I spent a lot of pricey time in the pits. Dan Holohan’s Heatinghelp.com site has an open forum called “The Wall,” where heating veterans, rookies and DIY’ers seek and share knowledge online daily -- all in the name of keeping you off the wall and on the radiant fast track to the winner’s circle.

In a race, the driver that goes a lap down comes awarded a free pass to regain that lap when the caution flag is out.  This is called the “Lucky Dog.” To pass a fellow racer, a driver and his machine must function as one. And even then, whose to say the other drivers aren’t in a similar position? I believe the hydronics industry, and each of its members in turn, have received that “Lucky Dog” pass at one time or another from a more experienced professional; one that has lapped us in their contributions to bettering the industry’s standards and guidelines. The car of the future would not be the standard of the present without the many veteran drivers out there, turning laps with the rest of us. They shine the spotlight on areas of the car they feel can be improved, making it possible for the rest of us to share in the wealth of information gleaned from their ever growing expertise. This ongoing cooperation is the greatest aid available, at present, to foster the continued growth of the industry.

Although the hydronics industry isn’t a car race and the ultimate prize isn’t a Sprint Cup, as contractors, we’re all running a race where our work can be measured in the efficiency of our system, its flawless operation, and, ultimately, an extremely satisfied customer. Nascar veteran and commentator Darryl Waltrip would be a great addition to the hydronic industry. I think it would be quite the rush on race day, after putting in a lot of time and effort in designing and building a system, to hear DW over the loudspeaker yelling, “Boogity Boogity Boogity, lets go hydronicizing.”