Belimo Actuators Automatic Valve Control - Many processes or actions in HVAC are made more efficient by having them automatically controlled by the control system. This enhancement of efficiency is possible by using Belimo actuator valve control. The Belimo automatic HVAC valve control is made possible with DDC and modulating electric Belimo actuators. (more…)
Large Condenser Pump for a Chilled Water System - This large HVAC condenser pump serves a new chiller located in a data center. This pump pumps condenser water through the condenser chiller barrel and to cooling to reject the heat absorbed in the chillers evaporator barrel. The pump works to move the water from the chiller to the cooling and then back through the chiller again. The water is diluted with a glycol solution to prevent freezing in the wintertime when the chiller needs to run at low ambient temperatures. (more…)
Semi-Hermetic HVAC Compressor Rebuild Shop
Semi-Hermetic HVAC Compressor Rebuild Shop - These old semi-hermetic HVAC compressors are destined for the rebuild shop where they will see new life one day in a chiller or DX air conditioning system. If a business loses a compressor for whatever reason (usual burnout) they have the option of ordering a new compressor from the factory or calling a rebuild shop to see if they have a rebuilt reciprocating compressor that will replace the old one, or rebuild the bad compressor. This leaves the business the option of finding the best value or cost for replacing the compressor. These are semi-hermetic reciprocating compressors and can be torn down and rebuilt completely nearly like new ones. (more…)
Air Handler Unit Construction Phase | HVAC AHU - Air Conditioning and Heating AHUs provide air flow throughout the duct systems providing conditioned air throughout the spaces served by the duct work. Air conditioning and heating systems rely on air handlers to move the air throughout the system. The HVAC AHU also conditions the air. The air handler heats air for heating and cools air for air conditioning. (more…)
This MagicAire Air Handler serves as part of a large club and uses a DX (direct expansion) coil for cooling and a hot water coil in the air handler for heating. Many commercial air handlers are set up in this manner for heating and air conditioning. Hot water for the hot water coil is supplied from an oil boiler which supplies hot water to other air handling units in this building. In the center of the photo is the hot water coil and to the left, the line set which feeds the DX coil can be seen. (more…)
Air Handling Unit Components 2: Heat - There are many different types and arrangements of heating systems for air handling units and these types of heating systems and arrangements of heating systems vary from commercial to residential. Some air handling units do not have any heat source inside them at all but have remote heat for zoning. The air handling unit provides the airflow and the remote heaters provide heat for zoning.
Sometimes the air handling unit is a VAV air handling unit and other times it is just to provide air for a duct heater whether the duct heater is gas-fired or electric. For air handling units which some have heating systems inside the five main ways of providing heat for air handling units are:
This is a brand new installation and the ductwork was leaking. Older ductwork definitely leaks and can cause a dusty environment
Trane Air Handler Making Dust | HVAC Troubleshooting - I would appreciate someone in the Trane organization that would please tell me why since installment and still 5 years later my house is nothing but a dust pit. I am not exaggerating. You can wipe dust blankets DAILY off my walls, floors, furniture. I have been, since the installation, asking someone to help me.
My original installer put a filtering system “like used in coal mines” - did not help. I have had independent HVAC inspectors who cannot understand nor have any reasoning for the dust. One thing was that the original TRANE installer did not put sufficient air return duct in my house.
CAN SOMEONE HELP OR AT LEAST GIVE ME AN ADDRESS/TELEPHONE NUMBER WHERE I CAN CONTACT THE MAKER/OWNER OF TRANE?
L.E. (more…)
The air handler coils should be checked for dirt and debris which may have been sucked into the air handler inadvertently. Some air handlers have filters inside them before the coils. It is a good time to change the filters when making this check.
Any dirt or debris on the coil(s) should be removed immediately as these things will impede airflow through the air handler and throughout the entire system as a whole. Dirty evaporator coils can cause AC problems. Some air handler coils are installed in the air handler cabinet while other coils are installed in the ductwork. (more…)
The air handler cabinet is made of sheet metal and simply acts as a duct to guide the air through and to protect the air handler components and to protect people from the air handler components. Depending on the manufacturer will depend on the color of the unit. Trane air handlers are usually green,
Carrier air handlers are usually gray, Goodman, Janitrol, and York air handlers are usually brown (as many manufacturers use brown). Air handler components are the blower and can have air handler coils installed inside the air handler. Additionally, electrical controls for the air handler components along with dampers to control the airflow.
Commercial air handlers are usually unpainted sheet metal especially McQuay but Carrier, York, and Trane will paint their commercial equipment before shipping. It simply depends on the manufacturer and what they decided to use to paint their equipment before shipping.
Hopefully, you can use this as a guide if there is no identifying information on the equipment. Sometimes the identifying information (nomenclature) for air handlers are hidden on the inside of the cabinet but it is not recommended to open the air handler cabinet unless you are a trained HVAC professional.
All manufacturers paint the air handler cabinets and depending on how they paint the cabinets will depend on the durability of the finish and in some cases the durability of the cabinet itself. Most air handler cabinets are constructed of steel and then a primer paint is applied followed by a final coat of the finished color.
The primer coat is the coat that will bond with the steel and prevent future rusting or corrosion of the cabinet as long as the cabinet is not scratched or the primer coat is not scratched off the cabinet and bare metal is visible.
A few manufacturers use a solid-state process of powder coating the primer coat and powder coating creates a near-permanent bond between the steel and the paint. The bond in powder coating can be down to the molecular level if the process is done correctly so the better cabinets will be ones that are powder coated.
In the way of maintenance for air handling units, there is little maintenance needed for AHU cabinets. If the air handler has been exposed to a rough environment and the paint is scratched or is fading as a result of direct sunlight it may be necessary to apply a coat of paint to the air handling unit to protect the metal from rust and corrosion. Some air handlers have doors that are accessed for maintenance purposes such as air filter maintenance or motor and belt maintenance.
Some older air handlers need to have screws removed to access essential parts of the air handler for maintenance and the screws and screw holes become stripped so they do not hold the doors on securely. It is necessary to repair these stripped-out holes and replace the screws so the access doors are held on securely.
This is especially true about rooftop units. These air handler access panels can come to lose either by the wind or by the unit’s vibrations when in operation and the wind can pick these panels up and throw them making them a hazard to people and property.
The cabinet protects all the components. It is, therefore important, to ensure it is durable.
Air Handler Cabinet
Air Handler Return Dampers | HVAC Components - These return air dampers serve a large air handler on a rooftop. This return air damper ends up in a mixing box inside the air handler where the return air from the building mixes with the outside air from the economizer. (more…)
