by High Performance HVAC | Buyers Advice, Goodman HVAC Reviews, Rheem HVAC Reviews |
Goodman versus Rheem Air Conditioners - The first thing we need to do when comparing a Rheem to a Goodman air conditioning system is to make sure we are comparing similar models with similar features.
Each HVAC manufacturer makes various models from a builder’s grade unit which is usually the HVAC manufacturer’s cheapest model all the way up to the unit that has bells and whistles and some of these have bells and whistles for the bells and whistles. You simply want to make sure you are comparing apples to apples and not an apple to an orange. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Technical Reference |
Start Capacitor with Potential Relay
How Does Start Capacitor Help Start Motor - Permanent Split Capacitor Motors or PSC Motors use run capacitors to help the motor be more efficient while running. The start capacitor gives the motor a boost on startup. The run capacitor helps the motor run more efficiently. Many types of HVAC equipment use PSC motors as blowers and pumps. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Direct Digital Controls |
DDC Control Loop | Building Automation - Direct Digital Controls are nearly everywhere in commercial and some industrial processes. We have several articles here at High Performance HVAC, which describe the basics of DDC and how DDC works. There is also a page here concerning DDC, where we describe the process of DDC, including the DDC control loop.
We wanted to make the process a little simpler for the layman audience and to make it more helpful for the new HVAC technicians and Control Technicians to learn the process in simpler terms. In the basic control loop, we have input, processing, and output.
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by High Performance HVAC | Refrigeration |
HVAC Triple Evacuation - There is definitely some confusion among HVAC/R technicians about the proper methods of evacuation. Evacuating before introducing the refrigerant to the refrigeration circuit.
Let me be clear from the start that my methods of evacuating a refrigeration circuit are based on experience, education, and an official guide produced by the US Military and their specifications and proper procedures for evacuating a refrigeration system. It is very important to do a refrigeration triple evacuation properly the first time.
This is the proper procedure on any US Navy ship or support ship that a refrigeration system that has been open to the environment. It must be triply evacuated before the refrigerant is reintroduced to the refrigeration circuit. The purpose is to prevent future problems because of contaminants including moisture in the system. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Boilers |
The difference between a steel expansion tank and a bladder type expansion tank.
How Expansion Tanks Work: What is an expansion, and how does it work? I get that question all the time even though I have written an extensive article on expansion tanks. The two most common expansion tanks you will see in HVAC applications include the bladder-type expansion tank and the steel-type expansion tank. Additionally, the steel-type expansion tank needs some basic maintenance from time to time to ensure it doesn’t become waterlogged or overfilled, which would defeat the purpose of having an expansion tank. Furthermore, for more on the basic maintenance of a steel expansion tank and how to properly fill it check out this article. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Thermostats |
4 Wire or 5 Wire Thermostat Wiring Problem - Question: We have a 19-year-old condo with an old Carrier mercury thermostat. We have both a natural gas furnace and an AC unit. There are only four wires going into the existing thermostat - red, green, blue, white. On the back of the thermostat are a number of labeled contacts, only the following have wires connecting them:
W - white wire
Y - blue wire
R - red wire
G - green wire
Y wire jumpered to a contact labeled 1 (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Air Conditioning |
Replace HVAC Compressor for Air Conditioner Repair - Question - Richard - I am an HVAC technician and have read all of your articles on refrigeration and compressors. Great information and it has helped to hone my skills and offer better service for my customers. Thanks!
I was wondering what your experience is with replacing compressors. How do you decide to replace a compressor technically speaking, of course? Do you recommend repairing the air conditioner by replacing the compressor or replacing the central air conditioner?
I look forward to reading your answer. Brett Des Moines, WA
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by High Performance HVAC | Air Conditioning |
Air Conditioner Condensing Unit Frozen - Richard - Early last month we turned our air conditioner on and it worked fine for a few days. Then I noticed it was getting a little warm in the house so I went around and checked the Air Conditioner. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Energy Efficiency |
Single wall flue vent used on an atmospheric boiler.
Automatic Vent Dampers | HVAC Energy Efficiency - Everyone wants to get the most out of their equipment whether it be for heating and cooling or anything else. If we can save a few bucks every month then it’s good we saved that money and energy for the future.
This article is applicable to those people with gas or oil furnaces, gas or oil boilers, and or gas or oil-fired water heaters. Basically, any appliance that burns fossil fuels and has a flue through a vent or a chimney this article is applicable to you and can save you money by saving energy. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Air Conditioning |
Air Conditioner Components - There are big differences between heat pumps and air conditioners. While the air conditioner provides cooling the heat pump will provide heating and cooling so the components inside the air conditioner differ from the components inside the heat pump system.
I constantly get emails from people asking if they can convert their air conditioner to a heat pump and of course they can but it is not recommended. I have even devoted an article to it for those who are considering converting their air conditioner to a heat pump.
After all, if you sit a heat pump next to a condenser it would be impossible to tell the difference between the air conditioner condenser to the heat pump condenser unless you looked inside the unit and were able to identify the different components from a heat pump to an air conditioner. Here are the basic components of an air conditioner that make the air conditioner cool your home or business. (more…)
