Goodman 13 SEER Heat Pump Condensing Unit

Posted on July 23, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

Goodman 13 SEER Heat Pump Condensing Unit This Goodman heat pump condensing unit is a new installation. The inside Goodman air handler attached to the heat pump condenser via line set was also replaced with this new Goodman heat pump. Its not a good idea to put a new high SEER air conditioner or heat pump condenser without matching it up with a properly rated and efficient air handler especially the coil. In 2006 congress mandated new efficiency levels for split system air conditioners from 10 SEER to 13 SEER. HVAC Manufacturers could no longer sell 10 SEER split system air conditioners or heat pumps to the general public. As a result homeowners were forced to purchase HVAC Equipment that was more efficient which of course costs more to manufacture. Additionally, in the past HVAC contractors could change the condenser if the condenser went bad. The HVAC Contractor could hook up a new condenser to an older air handler before this rule took effect. After the new rule took effect in 2006 the HVAC contractors had no choice but to replace the condensing unit and the air handler as the the older systems rarely matched the newer systems. Continue reading “Goodman 13 SEER Heat Pump Condensing Unit” »

Thermostat Wire Colors Code

Posted on July 5, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

Successful Thermostat Installation Advice includes getting the wiring correct

Always follow the thermostat manufacturers instructions whenever changing the thermostat. Always turn the power off at the air handler and the condenser and make sure there is no voltage at the transformer before proceeding. The colors below are the most likely colors used for most installations however your thermostat wire colors may be different than what is indicated here. There is no official standard for thermostat wire colors. Thermostat wiring colors are not standardized but these are the most wiring methods used based on my years of experience in the HVAC field where I successfully wired a lot of thermostats. For instructions on how to wire a thermostat please see our how to wire a thermostat page.

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Air Conditioner Ductwork Leaks

Posted on May 4, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

Red Arrow Shows a Duct Work Leak in a Brand New Installed Duct System

A good consideration when replacing the air conditioning system is the duct work. Duct work seems to be the most ignored part of an HVAC system but is a very important consideration in this age of new technology and higher energy efficient equipment being developed and manufactured. You can have the most energy efficient engine but if its in an old 60 or 70’s model car your efficiency is going to suffer. The same is true with HVAC systems. You can have the most energy efficient compressor available on the market but if your duct work is leaky or your house or business is not properly insulated that high efficient system you just spent big dollars on is wasted money. For more insight on HVAC ductwork see the High Performance HVAC Ductwork Page. Continue reading “Air Conditioner Ductwork Leaks” »

How Air Conditioning Works

Posted on March 4, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

Air conditioners work by removing the heat from the space they service. An air conditioner is simply a big refrigerator that uses the process of refrigeration to provide cooling for a building. Air conditioners work by using direct expansion coils or chilled water coils to absorb and move the heat from the air as air is blown across the coils. Types of air conditioner systems that use direct expansion coils for cooling are window units, split system air conditioners, package unit air conditioners, packaged terminal air conditioners like the air conditioners used in hotels, and mini-split ductless air conditioners. Air conditioners which utilize chilled water for air conditioning are typically commercial air conditioners for large commercial buildings. It doesn’t matter what type of air conditioner is used the coils in the air conditioner system are brought to a temperature colder than the air. These air conditioners coils are designed with materials like copper or aluminum to absorbed heat easily and pass this heat to the refrigerant whether the refrigerant is Freon or another type refrigerant chemical or whether that refrigerant is water. Any type of refrigerant is designed to absorb heat. That is how air conditioning works. Continue reading “How Air Conditioning Works” »

HVAC Control Panels – 3R Rated HVAC Electrical Control Panels

Posted on January 26, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

HVAC Control Panels - 3R Rated HVAC Electrical Control Panels These control panels offer resistance to inclement weather. They house the controllers for two small chillers and two air handlers. The chillers provide chilled water for air conditioning to the air handlers. The controllers offer energy management for the air conditioning system. The controllers were mounted outside for a few reasons. The main reason was because this location was closest to the HVAC equipment which provides air conditioning to the building. The secondary reason was because there was no safe or ideal location to install these panels inside the building. Continue reading “HVAC Control Panels – 3R Rated HVAC Electrical Control Panels” »

HVAC Damper Actuator – Economizer – Free Cooling

Posted on January 6, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

This damper actuator controls a free cooling damper for an economizer. It is part of an economizer damper system which allows free outside air cooling when the outside air temperature and humidity are ideal. In the Fall and the Spring when the outside air temperatures are mild it is unnecessary to run the air conditioning system to cool the building if the system is set up for free cooling. The air conditioning system has duct work running to the outside. When the control system program calls for free cooling the outside air damper opens and the system draws in cool air from the outside. Another damper directs the return air, which originates inside the spaces of the building, to the outside. This brings cool conditioned air into the building while exhausting the warmer air to the outside. Another action that the control program initiates is the lock out of the air conditioner or mechanical cooling. Continue reading “HVAC Damper Actuator – Economizer – Free Cooling” »

Thermostat Selection – White Rodgers & Honeywell Thermostats

Posted on January 5, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

Thermostat Selection – White Rodgers & Honeywell Thermostats

Which type and brand of thermostat do you get when selecting a new thermostat? To do that you have to know what kind of HVAC system you have installed for your heating and cooling system. Do you have a boiler with baseboard heating or radiators with the boiler combination? In addition to the boiler do you have an air conditioning system with duct work or a mini-split ductless system? Do you have a heat pump system? Do you have electric baseboard heating? Do you have an air conditioner system with electric heat? It is important to know the answers to what kind of HVAC system you have installed in your home.

When you know the type of air conditioning and heating system you have then you can go to the local hardware store and purchase a new thermostat. Opinions varying as far as brand of thermostat is concerned but typically Honeywell thermostats and White Rodgers thermostats are the best with the author of this article leaning towards the Honeywell thermostats if I had the choice of thermostats. Once you are in the hardware store and find the thermostat section you need to read the package and compare it to the type of HVAC air conditioning and heating system you have. All the information should be on back of the package and which system is appropriate for each particular thermostat.

Be aware that a heat pump thermostat is different than a thermostat for an air conditioner with a gas furnace for heat. Additionally electric baseboard heating usually requires a high voltage thermostat. If you have electric baseboard heating make sure you turn the power off before attempting to change the thermostat. It is a good idea to turn the power off to your HVAC system if you change any thermostat. Good luck and happy thermostat shopping.

More about thermostats here

Thermostat Selection – White Rodgers & Honeywell Thermostats

Air Conditioning Preventive Maintenance

Posted on May 4, 2007 by Richard Ashworth

What is Air Conditioner Preventive Maintenance?

Do You Benefit from Maintenance Agreements?

Do You Benefit from Maintenance Agreements?

Air conditioning maintenance is a quick check of the air conditioning system by a professional HVAC Technician. The technician will check the following:

Check the filters and change as necessary.
Check electrical components and make sure all connections are secure and without corrosion.
Check evaporator and condensing unit coils and clean coils as necessary. Almost always the condenser coil will need a good cleaning as the unit collects dust and dirt in the coils.
Check controls of air conditioning unit including thermostat, relays, and contactors.
Oil motors as necessary. Many motors do not need to be oiled as they have sealed bearings.
After the unit has been cleaned and has a clean filter the refrigerant should be checked. If the unit has low refrigerant levels the air conditioner system needs a refrigerant leak check. Continue reading “Air Conditioning Preventive Maintenance” »

Central Air Conditioner Prices

Posted on January 5, 2007 by Richard Ashworth

Central Air Conditioner Prices – The Cost of Air Conditioners

Properly Installed Condensing Unit is important

So you are looking to buy a new central air conditioning system and you want to know what the price of the new air conditioner will be after the it is all said an done and the new air conditioner is installed and the contractor walks out the door? The price of a new air conditioner is a popular subject because I get several emails every month asking me how much it would cost to install a new air conditioner. First it is a loaded question because no air conditioner installation job is the same with some air conditioner installation jobs being more difficult than another air conditioner installation job. The fact is I cannot give anyone the price of their new air conditioner without first seeing the job. The fact is no one can give you a fair a reasonable price of a new air conditioner cost without first seeing the job first and doing a little homework.

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