by High Performance HVAC | Buyers Advice |
Finding a good HVAC Company – Finding a good, honest, and reliable HVAC contractor or service company that will take care of all your HVAC needs doesn’t have to be a challenge. There are plenty of good-quality heating and cooling companies out there competing for your business.
If you apply common sense and do a little footwork you will find a good heating and cooling contractor. One who can provide excellent HVAC installation and service for many years to come. Here are some common sense things to use and consider when seeking out a good HVAC contractor or service company.
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by High Performance HVAC | Technical Reference |
Air Conditioning and Heating Sizing - It is not uncommon for HVAC estimators or HVAC contractors to use various rudimentary techniques, which are generally referred to as rules of thumb. Some will say on the low end you need 1 ton of cooling for every 500 square feet.
On the high end, you will need 1 ton of cooling for every 700 square feet. These rules of thumb will also generally take into account a basic heat gain calculation for the kitchen and the number of people who will occupy the structure. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Technical Reference |
The NEC and HVAC Chapter Two - Chapter Two of the National Electrical Code (NEC) covers Wiring and Protection and starts at Branch Circuits, Feeder circuits, GFCI requirements and protection. An HVAC installer may want to pay attention to branch circuit requirements. Article 220 in Chapter two of the NEC includes calculations for branch and feeder circuits including service calculations. (Table 220.3) (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Commercial HVAC |
This is an HVAC chilled water system cooling tower fan for a large chilled water system. Four large cooling towers for two chiller plants in a data center. Data center cooling systems generally are redundant not only for emergency situations but also for maintenance. The cooling tower fan typically has vibration switches installed in the fan assembly to shut the fan off in the event of too much vibration. (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 |
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 | Commercial HVAC |
Computer Room Air Conditioner Units - also referred to as CRAC units are essential inside data centers where cooling is necessary for all the computer and electrical equipment most data centers utilize. It is important to keep the equipment cool to prevent overheating for some equipment. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Commercial HVAC |
Building Commissioning is a Systemic Process
Building Commissioning Benefits - The Building Commissioning Guide defines commissioning as a systemic process of assuring verification and documentation, from the design phase to a minimum of one year after construction that all facility systems perform interactively in accordance with the design documentation and intent, and in accordance with the owner’s operational needs including preparation of operating personnel. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Technical Reference |
Common Sense Safety HVAC Codes - Some HVAC Installation technicians take pride in their work and make any installation job they perform look like a work of art. There are others who don’t care and want to install the unit as quickly as possible and move on down the road to the next job so they can do the same.
It really does not take much more time to do things right in the first place including reading the instruction manual that comes with every new condenser or air handler (actually all new HVAC equipment comes with instructions for installation). (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Technical Reference |
What is NATE? HVAC Education NATE Certification - NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence and NATE is a certification group that oversees the training, testing, and certification of HVACR technicians throughout North American. NATE is highly respected throughout the HVACR industry and an HVAC technician who achieves NATE certification is considered very knowledgeable and skilled in the HVAC trade or HVAC certification specialty. It is a step up in heating and cooling education for HVAC Techs. (more…)
