by High Performance HVAC | Technical Reference |
HVAC Inspections Commissioning - How often have you heard someone complain about inspectors or code officials whose job it is to inspect mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other trades work for safety and quality workmanship?
One could argue that workmanship or even design can be horrible even if the work passes a code inspection. However, chances are if the trades have any integrity they want the job to look good whether it is for the inspector or whether it is for pride and quality of work. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Technical Reference |
As OSHA is concerned for the safety of workers on job sites this article will give you the basics for complying with OSHA rules on most job sites especially commercial and industrial construction sites. The requirements are different for compliance from management to the average worker and we will try to cover the basics for both management and worker. Almost every commercial or industrial job site will have a general contractor that manages a safety program. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Technical Reference |
HVAC Fire Safety - I’m not sure how many HVAC technicians have heard of on-the-job horror stories. Whether the job was commercial or residential. However, I am certain they have happened as I have heard of these horror stories happening to others.
Whether you have ever heard of it happening to others or even if it has happened to you it is important that we remain forever vigilant. This is absolutely true when it comes to fire safety on the job. Especially when we are constantly using fire as a part of our job.
And especially for silver soldering (brazing), soft soldering, or even when we are working on gas or oil boilers or furnaces. Here is an account of a few things that I’ve personally experienced and the lessons learned from these occurrences.
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by High Performance HVAC | Technical Reference |
Asbestos & Mesothelioma HVAC Technicians Information - Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral known for its resistance to heat and fire, as well as its durability and inability to conduct electricity. All of these characteristics made asbestos an ideal material for products in and around HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems. For example, pipes and ducts around HVAC systems were commonly wrapped with asbestos insulation. When workers service HVAC systems in older homes they run the risk of being exposed to aging asbestos materials. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Technical Reference |
Bacharach Combustion Analyzer
Bacharach Combustion Analyzer Furnace Testing - The combustion analyzer is used to test gas and oil furnaces to make sure the combustion process is as efficient as possible. This multi-function HVAC test instrument can also be used to test spaces for carbon monoxide, test building pressure, all in addition to testing the combustion process of the furnace.
The combustion analyzer allows an HVAC technician to test the flue temperature, the amount of oxygen in the furnace flue gases, the amount of carbon monoxide in the flue gases, the amount of carbon dioxide in the flue gases, and the pressure of the flue. All these readings are necessary so the HVAC technician can make adjustments to the burner settings to ensure efficient combustion using the combustion analyzer. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Technical Reference |
Air Conditioning and Heating HVAC Heat Energy Values - Heat is energy and when we produce heat we need to use energy in its production. There are natural methods for producing heat without burning or using fuels but these methods are not practical or available to the general populace for residential, commercial, and industrial use.
The production of heat, whether for residential, commercial, or industrial uses, uses energy, and energy costs money. It is thereby necessary to have reliable and proven methods of measuring the amount of heat produced using a specific quantity of energy. Employing these reliable and proven methods we can also use the data to determine the best methods of producing heat for homes, businesses, and industry. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Technical Reference |
HVAC Definitions - In air conditioning and heating the name HVAC is often used. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Other acronyms are less used to describe air conditioning and heating applications is HVACR or heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration and HACR or heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Technical Reference |
Hydronic Pump Cavitation - Pump cavitation can cause severe problems to a pump if not addressed and corrected. To understand the cause of cavitation you need to understand the pressure-temperature relationship of the liquid in the loop. Whether it is water or water/glycol mix. As the water passes through the pump it changes the pressure from the suction side to the discharge side of the pump.
If the water’s static pressure drops too much vapor is created causing tiny bubbles in the water or fluid in the loop passing through the pump. These bubbles are unstable and collapse causing severe turbulence inside the bearing assembly and can damage the impeller. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Technical Reference |
Automatic Flow Valve
HVAC Piping Valves | Heating and Cooling Hydronics - Triple Duty Valves are three valves in one as the name implies. Triple Duty Valves act as a check valve, balancing valve, and shut-off valve all in one valve.
From the smallest hydronic loops to the largest hydronic loops triple duty valves are very a popular selection for engineers when designing hydronic loops for chilled water and hot water applications. The triple-duty valve consists of a threaded stem attached to a disc. The disc has a spring that will allow the disc to open when the flow is induced throughout the loop. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Technical Reference |
HVAC Careers - So you want to become an HVAC Technician and want to know how to find a successful career? It’s not easy but here’s some help for you. First of all, you need a good foundation of the basics and it would help if you understood the different types of jobs you can find by pursuing a career in HVAC. (more…)
