Unprecedented Data Collection & Efficiency started with Murphy Bros Remodeling in Blaine, MN. Minneapolis Remodeler | Bathroom Remodeler | Kitchen Remodeler | Murphy Bros Remodeling | Murphy Bros (mbros.com)
First a Little Background
In September of 2018, I met John Murphy and some of his colleagues at a Roundtable Meeting for the National Association of Remodelers Industry (NARI) Home – National Association of the Remodeling Industry (narimn.org) at the International Market square in Minneapolis, MN. I went through a power point presentation showing the benefits of the ThermaRay’s Radiant Heating Systems. A few days later John asked me to do a presentation and speak to his group at his office the following month. Affordable, Reliable Radiant Heat | Murphy Bros (mbros.com)
On May 23rd, 2019, Murphy Bros. Remodeling in Blaine, MN had a catastrophic fire in their office & warehouse building eventually claiming 100% of the building by damage from the fire, smoke and water. The entire building would need to be completely taken down and even the concrete and some of the footings would be removed to make room for a Murphy Bros state of the art office, showroom and warehouse.
Time for a New Building
Late July of 2019, I received an email from John requesting information on Thermal Mass floor heating for a 10,000 sq.ft. building. Unbeknownst to me it was for a building of his own. I was unaware of his building fire and all the mess he had been dealing with for the last few months, but we got right to work and put together a plan and proposal for his new high tech state of the art building. Murphy Bros – Plans
Construction Started in the brutal winter of 2019/2020 by Classic Construction out of Cedar, MN
Honest Services & Quality Construction | Classic Construction (classicconstructioninc.com)
John Murphy of Murphy Bros with a progress update on his Facebook page and an additional video below with more news on July 14th, 2020. https://fb.watch/cmz76GsHlR/
Moons in Alignment – ProControl BSG (Building Solutions Group)
Coincidentally the same month that I met John murphy (September 2018) at the NARI Meeting I also met a gentleman by the name of Kevin Pouttu kevin@procontrolbsg.com. Kevin works with a company called ProControl Building Solutions Group ProControl Healthly Buildings (procontrolbsg.com). Kevin came up to my table at a tradeshow and we discussed a number of things that were way over my head from a controls point of view, but he definitely had my attention. I had been looking for control options for the ThermaRay Radiant Heating Systems for years and what Kevin had to offer seemed like the perfect solution. Over the next few months, Kevin and I exchanged many emails, much information and had countless phone conversations and started implementing some of his custom designed control packages. Premier Control Options
By the time John called about his new building, Kevin and I had installed many different control options on a variety of ThermaRay Heating Systems. John’s new Murphy Bros building was the perfect opportunity to take it up a notch and implement a multitude of control and monitoring options. I approached John about making his building a case study for the efficiency of the ThermaRay Thermal Mass Floor Heating System utilizing ProControl customized controls and he was in total agreement.
On its own, The ThermaRay Thermal Mass Floor Heating System is the most energy efficient heating system with the lowest life cycle cost available on the market today, but it has never been controlled, tracked and monitored in the manner we proposed to John. Installing a ThermaRay floor heating system is nothing new or unprecedented. However, how we control and monitor the building has never been done before.
Thermal Mass Floor Heat Installation (Under Concrete)
Premier Energy USA installed the ThermaRay Thermal Mass Floor Heating System ThermaRay Floor Heating Installation under the concrete in such a manner as to be able to cycle and stage the circuits of floor heat to come on as necessary based on the needs of each space.
Aside from wiring it to be staged and modulated, we placed 38 sensors in and around the building to lay the groundwork for the aforementioned unprecedented data collection & efficiency. USA – Murphy Bros (Office & Shop) – Sensor Layout
USA – Murphy Bros – Sensor Schedule – 1
Controls & Sensors Controls & Sensors
(25) sensors in the center of the concrete slab above the 33 circuits of heat, (7) Ambient sensing thermostats at approximately 5 feet, (1) sensor at 22′, (4) Ground sensors at varying depths 1′-4′ down in the ground and (1) outdoor ambient air sensor. Along with the (38) Sensors, we will CO2, Air Quality & Door Open/Close Sensors all used in coordination with the HVAC System and all visible in real time on your phone or computer.
Down The Road
There may be more bells and whistles that Murphy Bros may be adding like solar on the roof to place the electricity generated into the ThermaRay Thermal Mass System. All the latest LED lighting and advanced security will be incorporated as well.
The ThermaRay system will also be on the Off-Peak program offered by their power supplier Connexus Energy Connexus Energy | Member Owned Electric Cooperative | Ramsey, MN
ProControl will be monitoring the project for a few years for Connexus Energy and their power generator Great River Energy Great River Energy | Minnesota’s Electric Power Co-op and Connexus Energy may be offering a rebate after that time based mainly on how the system is controlled.
Limited Mass Floor Heating System for Snow/Ice Melting
Murphy Bros also installed a ‘Limited” Thermal Mass Heating System for snow/ice melting under their front sidewalk and entrance. The snow/ice melting system is designed to automatically turn on when it senses moisture and it is below 33 degrees F.
Come See The New Digs !
John Welcomes us into the new Murphy Bros Showroom, Offices and Warehouse with Unprecedented Data Collection & Efficiency as well as control and visibility at your fingertips anywhere, anytime. To Be Continued ………
