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…)
Evaporator Coil Air Conditioners - the evaporator in air conditioners is responsible for absorbing heat into the coils and the refrigerant. The evaporator in heat pumps and air conditioners is an essential component of vapor compression refrigeration. This is usually done as a result of passing air or water over the evaporator coil where a heat exchange process takes place.
Heat leaves the air or water (whatever medium is used) and is absorbed into the coil and the liquid refrigerant. As more and more heat is absorbed by the evaporator coil and the refrigerant again changes state from a liquid to a refrigerant vapor. By the time the refrigerant leaves the evaporator coil the refrigerant should be all vapor and ready to be received again by the refrigeration compressor. (more…)
Fixing a Refrigerant Leak – You had the new air conditioner or heat pump system installed some years ago and suddenly it stopped heating or cooling properly so you call the HVAC contractor to check it out. The HVAC technician arrives and spends about thirty minutes HVAC troubleshooting and then he comes to you with the news.
The unit needs a charge of refrigerant. It is low on refrigerant (R-22) or R-410A. You ask the HVAC technician if it is normal for this to occur and he informs that, no, it is not normal for the HVAC system to lose refrigerant that you have a refrigerant leak. Is it the evaporator coil? Is it the air conditioner condenser? Something else with the air conditioning system? Or heat pump? (more…)
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…)
Running New Thermostat Wire – It is possible that you may have to run a new thermostat wire from the air handler or furnace to the location where the existing thermostat is located. Running new thermostat wire can challenging even for professionals. If you must then following these instructions and helpful hints will hopefully help you in this endeavor. Pulling new wire should only be done as a last resort. The purpose of running new thermostat wire is necessary for certain reasons such as: (more…)
Ductwork and High Ceilings - I did not see any reference to my question and would appreciate a response as soon as possible, as due to a medical situation, have to make a decision soon. We own an OLD house with 13′ ceilings in a large part of the home and 11″ ceilings in the LV/DR and BR. We are oscillating on where to place the ducts…Floor or ceiling. It appears to be counterproductive to me to put the ductwork in the ceiling since it will have so far to go.
We are looking for the most cost-effective, not upfront cost but operating cost, solution. In addition, we are considering DF heat pumps. The house will need 2 or 3 to be zoned correctly. Please let me know about the duct placement and thank you for your help? (more…)
Variable Air Volume Box with Hot Water Reheat – The variable air volume box or VAV box is a commercial solution to adding multiple zones to large buildings. VAV boxes offer zoning solutions so that separate zoning demands or temperature selections can be maintained in different areas of the building.
If the president of the company wants the temperature in their office to be 70 degrees Fahrenheit but the vice president wants their office to be 74 degrees Fahrenheit then it is possible with the VAV zoning system as long as their VAV boxes are on different zones. (more…)
Air Handler Equipment DDC Controllers – These controllers will control an air handler once the wiring is completed. The panel is freshly mounted and waiting for the technician to run the piping and pull the wire from the control points. Other points, such as outside air, temperature sensors in piping or ductwork, flow meters, actuators, or other control points can be terminated to these controllers and the data collected from those input points can be networked over the entire building automation system through the communication trunks. (more…)
How DDC Status Works – DDC and Status – Is the Device On or Off
This is a current switch sometimes referred to as a CT switch.
The basics of DDC include learning about the status of a fan or a compressor or pump. How does a DDC controller read the status of the device it is monitoring? There are several ways to prove a device is running and some pros and cons of each type of device used to monitor on or off status.
This is a basic DDC guide or reference to help a person understand the basics of DDC status and how it works. When one learns how DDC status works they can improve their troubleshooting skills.
Too many maintenance technicians and others including HVAC technicians don’t understand DDC systems or building automation systems and are therefore crippled when it comes to troubleshooting DDC systems.
High Performance HVAC hopes to change that and help HVAC techs and HVAC maintenance staff learn the basics of DDC systems including how DDC status works. Once someone understands the basics about DDC a light will turn on and they will see that DDC is not really rocket science.
HVAC Tip - Having the proper humidity levels in your home or business is important not only for your health but also the amount of energy your HVAC systems use to keep you comfortable. If the humidity level is high in the summer you will not feel comfortable. If the humidity level is low in the winter you will not feel warm when the thermostat is set for an average temperature. This will result in turning the thermostat up to compensate and you will use more energy to stay comfortable. A properly designed and installed HVAC system will keep the proper levels of humidity in your home or business and save you money in energy costs by reducing the amount you use the HVAC system. For more information on humidity and maintaining the proper levels of humidity in your home please visit our humidity technical pages.
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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.
Evaporator Coil Air Conditioners - the evaporator in air conditioners is responsible for absorbing heat into the coils and the refrigerant. The evaporator in heat pumps and 
Ductwork and High Ceilings - I did not see any reference to my question and would appreciate a response as soon as possible, as due to a medical situation, have to make a decision soon. We own an OLD house with 13′ ceilings in a large part of the home and 11″ ceilings in the LV/DR and BR. We are oscillating on where to place the ducts…Floor or ceiling. It appears to be counterproductive to me to put the ductwork in the ceiling since it will have so far to go.
Air Handler Equipment DDC Controllers – These controllers will control an air handler once the wiring is completed. The panel is freshly mounted and waiting for the technician to run the piping and pull the wire from the control points. Other points, such as outside air, temperature sensors in piping or ductwork, flow meters, actuators, or other control points can be terminated to these controllers and the data collected from those input points can be networked over the entire building automation system through the communication trunks. 
