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 permit until the condensing unit was correctly installed.
It is recommended that condensing units have at least 2 feet of space so that they 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 the unit in the way of higher head pressures and that will cost the homeowner more money in the long run.
Condensing Units caution - Air Conditioning and Heating equipment uses high voltage. Caution is always advised when working around high voltage. When in doubt call a professional. Safety First!!
The HVAC compressor or the heart of your air conditioner or heat pump
Basic description of some components in the condensing unit
How a Condensing Unit Works
Condensing Unit fan motor
Maintenance and upkeep of the condensing unit
Basic instructions on cleaning the condensing unit
Loose electrical connections in the condensing unit
Lots of resource and related links to help to learn in-depth information about HVAC and condensing units
Air Conditioning & Heat Pump condensing unit is a simple yet technical piece of HVAC equipment. It sits out in the back (or side) of your house and kicks on and off almost by itself.
At least it seems that way to most people. This box made of sheet metal is the heart of your HVAC cooling system. Or for those with heat pumps, it is the heart of your HVAC heating and cooling. (more…)
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…)
These compressors are integral to a vapor compression refrigeration system in a supermarket
The process of refrigeration uses the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle to move heat from one place to another. In many HVAC air conditioner and heat pump applications, the process of refrigeration or the vapor-compression cycle is what makes it work. This process, in the air conditioning mode, moves heat from inside the structure to the outside. (more…)
R-134A Refrigerant Pressure Temperature Chart - R-134A is an inert gas also known as Tetrafluoroethane, and for air conditioner systems. Furthermore, R134A is a chemical refrigerant in automotive and domestic use air conditioners. Additionally, HVAC Systems such as chilled water systems in both commercial markets and industrial markets. You are very familiar with R134A if you are either an automotive mechanic or a chiller mechanic. R-134A uses the names Tetrafluoroethane, Genetron, or Puron, among other names depending on the manufacturer. Finally, The pressure-temperature chart represents the average pressure-temperature relationship of refrigerant R-134A.
HVAC reciprocating compressors were the workhorse of the HVAC industry and when someone mentioned a compressor the first thing one thought about was a reciprocating compressor. This compressor has a piston(s) that compresses vapor and in the cases of an HVAC compressor, the compressor compresses the refrigerant vapor. (more…)
Refrigerant Pump-Down Method - Can an HVAC Technician “Park” Refrigerant in the Condenser? What you will learn from Refrigerant Pump-Down Method article:
We answer a technical question by one of our readers concerning the refrigerant pump-down method
HVACR Refrigeration Certification Section 608 - In 1993, Section 608 of the Clean Air Act became law and active enforcement of these federally mandated laws became the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce. The Clean Air Act as defined by the EPA is not limited to the United States. It is applicable to all signatories (24 countries and the European Economic Countries) of the Montreal Protocol. These signatories agreed to phase out all CFCs and eventually all HCFCs. (more…)
Scroll Compressors - One of the workhorses for heat pumps and air conditioners is the scroll compressor. The scroll compressor works as many other compressors do as far as the refrigeration process is concerned. The scroll compresses the refrigerant thereby raising its pressure and temperature. The compressor does its job by making cool refrigerant and turning it into hot refrigerant changing both the temperature and the pressure. Since the late 90′s, the scroll has taken off and has nearly replaced the reciprocating compressor in the average air conditioner and heat pump system. Two-stage scroll compressors have replaced using two reciprocating compressors in an air conditioner or heat pump condenser that is high efficiency.
HVAC Tip - A thermocouple is commonly used in standing pilot gas furnaces and water heaters are technically referred to as a copple element and produces millivolts when heat is applied to the tip. This millivoltage is necessary to keep the pilot valve inside the gas valve open. If the pilot flame goes out, the thermocouple stops generating millivolts. Without the millivolts, the valve closes thus preventing gas from escaping when there is no flame. Thermocouples fail because of oxidation. It is recommended that you keep the pilot lit throughout the year to prevent excess oxidation. The thermocouple can be found in many different types of gas furnaces, gas logs, and gas water heaters. Learn How to Test a Thermocouple with a Multi-Meter
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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 permit until the condensing unit was correctly installed.
HVAC reciprocating compressors were the workhorse of the HVAC industry and when someone mentioned a compressor the first thing one thought about was a reciprocating compressor. This compressor has a piston(s) that compresses vapor and in the cases of an HVAC compressor, the compressor compresses the refrigerant vapor. 
HVACR Refrigeration Certification Section 608 - In 1993, Section 608 of the Clean Air Act became law and active enforcement of these federally mandated laws became the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce. The Clean Air Act as defined by the EPA is not limited to the United States. It is applicable to all signatories (24 countries and the European Economic Countries) of the Montreal Protocol. These signatories agreed to phase out all CFCs and eventually all HCFCs. 
Scroll Compressors - One of the workhorses for heat pumps and air conditioners is the scroll compressor. The scroll compressor works as many other compressors do as far as the refrigeration process is concerned. The scroll compresses the refrigerant thereby raising its pressure and temperature. The compressor does its job by making cool refrigerant and turning it into hot refrigerant changing both the temperature and the pressure. Since the late 90′s, the scroll has taken off and has nearly replaced the reciprocating compressor in the average air conditioner and heat pump system. 