Variable Speed ECM Blower Motors | HVAC Heating & Cooling Systems

Variable Speed ECM Blower Motors

An ECM Variable Speed Blower Motor in a squirrel cage blower

Variable Speed ECM Blower Motors - Variable speed ECM blower motors have become increasingly popular in residential air conditioning and heating systems. From an engineering perspective, these motors increase the efficiency of the systems and offer a whole range of other benefits that help the system and the consumer. Furthermore, comfort is enhanced using ECM blower motors along with noise reduction. (more…)

Find Tonnage on AHU | HVAC Equipment Nomenclature

Find Tonnage on AHU | HVAC Equipment Nomenclature - How do I find out the tonnage on an AHU (Air Handling Unit)? The label/tag has faded all I have on file is the model number and the serial number, make.

Question Posted By Francisco the Building Engineer on May 3, 2011

Refer to the manufacturer’s website for their HVAC nomenclature of the model number and serial numbers and how those numbers correspond to the tonnage and other technical data. Or you can call your local dealer for the manufacturer and they will tell you. (more…)

Air Handler Unit Construction Phase | HVAC AHU

HVAC Air Handler Unit Construction PhaseAir 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…)

Air Handler Coils | HVAC AHU

Air Handler Coils
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…)

Variable Air Volume Systems – Commercial HVAC

Variable Air Volume Systems - Variable Air Volume (VAV) systems are the best way to zone especially in large buildings. A VAV system with the proper controls and setup will help the building owner realize large savings in energy usage. There are many VAV systems out there set up in different ways. The most common set-up (for DDC) is, of course, usually the cheapest to install.

They have an air handler (DX or Chilled Water) which supplies the VAV Boxes with fixed pressure and temperature of the conditioned air. The VAV Boxes have electric reheat which will heat the air if that particular zone calls for heat (it is not uncommon to also find VAV boxes that have hot water reheat although this usually costs more to install but can save in energy costs). More on how VAV boxes work.

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Leaking Air Handler – Air Leaks

Leaking Air HandlerLeaking Air Handler- Air Leaks - Dear Richard… my partner and I moved into a brand new mill conversion/rehab condo last year that we absolutely love, but after the summer was over, I went into the utility closet (where the air handler/gas furnace are) and noticed that there was copper corrosion crust/rust that had run down from the air handler (not sure from where, but somewhere fairly high up on the AHU). It had dried up, and didn’t seem to be enough to run down the sides of the burner even–no streaks). (more…)

Air Handlers | Heating and Cooling

Caution is always advised around mechanical and electrical equipment including the air handler. Turn the power off before removing any panels.

Air HandlersAir Handlers - An air handler is usually located in the garage, a closet, or in the attic (unless you have a package unit then the air handler is incorporated into one system). It is essential to any AC unit and heating forced air system. All AC units need an air handler or way to move air. It can be a part of your furnace and houses the evaporator coils, the blower motor, and some HVAC controls. It can be an up-flow, downflow, or horizontal flow AHU (air handling unit). (more…)

York VAV Air Handlers | HVAC Zoning

York VAV Air Handlers | HVAC ZoningYork VAV Air Handlers | HVAC Zoning - This York air handling unit serves several VAV boxes and runs on a static pressure control set point determined by a DDC program. This program has a static pressure control setpoint and sends a signal to the variable frequency drive to speed up or slow down the blower to maintain the proper static pressure control setpoint. When the VAV boxes need more air the drive speeds the air handler blower up.

When the VAV boxes need little the drive slows the blower down. The VAV boxes are controlled by a thermostat in their respective zones.

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Attic Installation Horizontal Flow Air Handler | HVAC Airflow

Attic Installation Horizontal Flow Air Handler – Attic Air Handler – AHUThis is a horizontal flow air handler installed in the attic. Notice the drain pan under the air handling unit to catch condensation if the primary pan were to overflow. This is the secondary condensation pan which is installed under the air handler to save a ceiling.

Also slightly visible is a float switch which offers triple protection against flooding in an attic if the primary drain were to plug up. The primary and secondary drains coming from the air handler also drain into condensation pumps. These pumps have floats inside them and a reservoir. (more…)