Condensing Unit Too Close to House

Posted on April 5, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

Condensing Unit Too Close to House

This condensing unit was too close to the house to effectively reject heat. It was a bad HVAC condensing unit installation job by the HVAC installers. A mechanical inspector rejected the final for the permit until the condensing unit was correctly installed. It is recommended that condensing units have at least 2 feet of space so that it can effectively reject heat. It needs space to breathe and pull air into the coils so that there is a proper heat exchange taking place when it is running. On this air conditioner condensing unit there are four sides to the unit. By installing the air conditioner condenser too close to the house the installer effectively reduced the capacity of this unit by nearly one fourth which will cause problems with unit in the way of higher head pressures and that will cost the homeowner more money in the long run.

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How to Save Energy: Methods of Saving Energy Google PowerMeter

Posted on January 20, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

With the ever increasing cost of energy we must ask ourselves how can we save energy? This question can be answered easily by someone who understands energy saving methods and I will show you different ways to save energy.

Why do we want to save energy? To many this question is easy to answer and while some be thinking the answer is axiomatic you may be surprised at how some people answer that question. To me the core reason for saving energy is two things: 1) To save money and 2) It is incredibly irresponsible to waste good energy. It is kind of like cooking a Porterhouse T-bone and only eating half and throwing the rest of the delicious steak away. What an incredible waste! I am sure others may answer the question in a different way including the greenies who would say many things that include environmental concerns however I wish to remain A-political in my technical writing (including my responses to comments) so I will refrain from telling others what I think of the Greenies and their impossible disingenuous agenda. So read on for energy saving options to help yourself. Continue reading “How to Save Energy: Methods of Saving Energy Google PowerMeter” »

DX CRAC Unit Condensers

Posted on January 6, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

DX CRAC Unit Condensers Most data centers do not utilize HVAC DX (Direct Expansion) CRAC units or air conditioning but instead use chilled water systems to provide cooling for the data center. In smaller buildings such as remote telecom buildings DX air conditioning systems are used to keep the equipment cool and operating efficiently. A DX CRAC Unit uses vapor compression refrigeration to provide cooling with a chemical refrigerant versus a chilled water system that utilizes chilled water from a chiller. CRAC Units or Computer Room Air Conditioners also serve telecom facilities for telephone services including cellular telephone facilities in remote locations. The CRAC units that serve telecom facilities in remote locations are typically DX CRAC Units that have utility back-up by stand-by generator so that if the utility fails to provide electricity for whatever reason the stand-by generator kicks on and provides power so that the telecom facility can remain on line. Continue reading “DX CRAC Unit Condensers” »

Green Technology

Posted on January 4, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

First of all we need to define Green Technology before we compare it to HVAC and how the HVAC industry is working to make equipment and designs green technology friendly. Green Technology uses evolving technology to utilize methods and materials to develop techniques that are friendly or friendlier to the environment than past methods and material. HVAC is constantly evolving as new ideas about environmental friendly concepts are put into place and used to make things more efficient and friendly to the environment. It has become necessary for many people and industries to stop ignoring environmental concerns because using older methods cost more than the new methods to implement. The definition of Green Technology goes a little further in implementing a solid strategy of environmental friendly ideas, methods, and materials including machines. These strategies include: Continue reading “Green Technology” »

Beating the Heat: Helping Your Air Conditioner

Posted on January 4, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

Dirty Condensers cost energy and cooling capacity

The new house you just bought is not so cool and the air conditioner seems to run all the time. You begin to worry that maybe something is wrong with the air conditioner. You tolerate it for a while until your spouse broaches the subject a few hours later. Both of you discuss the matter and come to the conclusion that something is wrong with the air conditioner.

You pick up the phone and call the HVAC service company that has serviced your heating and air conditioning equipment for years. The next morning the HVAC air conditioner technician arrives. You discuss the matter with the air conditioning technician and then he goes about his job of searching for a problem. Forty-five minutes later the technician reports that everything is fine with air conditioning equipment. Everything is in tip-top shape with the air conditioner. Air conditioner refrigerant charge, clean coils at the air handler and the condensing unit, all air conditioner components have normal amp draws, ect, ect, ect…….. As the truck pulls away you begin to wonder how to resolve this matter about keeping your new house cool. Here is how to help your air conditioner problem. Continue reading “Beating the Heat: Helping Your Air Conditioner” »

Trane Chilled Water Systems – Multi-Zone Air Conditioning Systems

Posted on October 6, 2007 by Richard Ashworth

Trane Chilled Water Systems – Multi-Zone Air Conditioning Systems This Trane HVAC chiller serves four different apartments. Chilled water systems offer a great way for multi-zone air conditioning. From small apartment buildings to large commercial buildings chilled water systems can serve multi-zone air conditioning systems. From one air conditioning zone to hundred the only limitation is the size of the chiller. If the air conditioning zoning system (the load) is matched up with the right sized chiller (in tons) the system will serve all air conditioning zones and keep all the occupants comfortably cool. Chilled water systems can also be integrated with the boiler system so that the same system can be used for heating and cooling. A good control system will add efficiency and more comfort to the system. Continue reading “Trane Chilled Water Systems – Multi-Zone Air Conditioning Systems” »

Condensing Units 2

Posted on March 5, 2007 by Richard Ashworth

HVAC Condensing Units and Condensers Page 2

Delay Timers and the Air Conditioner Condenser or Heat Pump Condensing Unit

Air Conditioners are big HVAC refrigerators. Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps use the HVAC refrigeration cycle to transfer heat from a place where it is not wanted (inside absorbing heat with the evaporator coil) to a place that makes no difference (outside using the condensing unit)(in the cooling cycle). The heart of any HVAC air conditioning, heat pump, or refrigeration system is the compressor which pumps the refrigerant through the HVAC air conditioning system. When the refrigerant leaves the compressor it is compressed and therefore a higher pressure than it was before it entered the compressor inside the condensing unit. This pressure remains constant (give or take under certain conditions) until it passes through the metering device where the pressure and temperature are reduced. This low pressure remains constant (again give or take under certain conditions) until it again reaches the compressor inside the condensing unit and is compressed again. Continue reading “Condensing Units 2” »

Dual Two-Stage Split System with a Dual Slab Coil

Posted on February 4, 2007 by Richard Ashworth

High Performance HVAC Air Conditioning & Heating: Ask the HVAC Man?

Dual Two-Stage Split System with a Dual Slab Coil. Huh?

Richard

Very nice site!

Dual Two-Stage Split System with a Dual Slab Coil I have a question; my home was fitted out by the previous owner with a twinned system, and a thermostat (Totaline P374-1900) which was not designed to control discreet, paired units. I confirmed this with Totaline. The result is only one unit runs, and the second unit is never activated. It functions, but not automatically.

Your website mentioned dual compressors in one systems, and mine is similar, two independent compressor/condensers. Seeing the separate condenser units, I first thought the house was zoned, and later discovered both units feed into one Aspen BHA40 4-roll coil.

Besides the issue of the wrong thermostat, I’m having problems finding an HVAC person who understands these hybrid systems and will service it. Is this configuration that uncommon?

I live very near Houston Texas, so if you know of a local HVAC person with the skills to help me out – let me know.

PS – I checked with Honeywell about the possibility of their thermostats working with my setup. They emailed me – they would only work with a HVAC professional. I thought this was strange since they sell them in the hardware stores.

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York Variable Frequency Drives VFDs

Posted on July 6, 2006 by Richard Ashworth

Variable Frequency Drives or VFD’s have added a whole new dimension to energy efficiency and control. These drives, or VFD’s, are hooked up to two different YorkVAV air handlers that have two three phase motors a piece. Each air handler has a return fan and a supply fan. Two thirds down stream from the supply fan motor is a static pressure sensor (Pressure Transducer). This is connected back to a DDC controller which will regulate the speed of the fans based on the static pressure set point. Variable frequency drives, or VFD’s, allow the system to use only the amount of air that is needed for the VAV boxes. If demand for air flow is high the drives, VFD’s, ramp up and deliver more air. If the demand for air flow is low the drives, VFD’s, slow down so less air is delivered. This allows the system to use less energy and maintain comfort levels based on temperature set points.