SilverPAC Silverstat 7 Advanced Thermostat | HVAC Control

SilverPAC Silverstat 7 Advanced ThermostatSilverPAC Silverstat 7 Advanced Thermostat - This thermostat is sure to save you some money in energy costs if you can get over the initial retail cost which is currently unavailable. Taking it a step further you can make some control changes to your appliances and hook them up to this thermostat so you can program on and off schedules for the appliances. We’re not talking about just your air conditioning and heating system either…………from your refrigerator freezer to your water heater to your lighting it can all be intelligently controlled and monitored. In my humble opinion, it will definitely change your utility bill. Here are some of the key features that will help you save energy. (more…)

Economizer Systems and HVAC Control | Building Automation

Economizer Systems and HVAC ControlEconomizer Systems and HVAC Control - Direct Digital Controls Systems in HVAC control have taken leaps and bounds in the last few years. Especially so in being user-friendly, ease of designing systems, troubleshooting system problems, and increasing efficiency over the older energy management systems. When discussing the increasing efficiency of systems the idea of economizing always comes up.
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Energy Recovery Wheels | HVAC Enthalpy & Heat

Energy Recovery Wheels

Enthalpy wheel in a heat recovery unit

Energy Recovery Wheels | HVAC Enthalpy & Heat - As the cost of energy rises engineers are looking for ways to improve and increase energy efficiency. Aside from HVAC equipment with higher energy efficiency rates, improving structures for less heat loss and heat gain, and building automation systems giving the equipment precision control for the

better efficiency of the equipment, there are other ways to increase energy efficiency inside buildings. One of the ways to increase energy efficiency inside buildings is to add energy recovery wheels to the economizer systems. A US Department of Energy study concluded energy recovery wheels can save over 15% of the energy used in commercial HVAC applications.

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Heating Oil Types | HVAC Heating

Heating Oil Refinery PipelineThere are different types of heating oil. The main type of heating oil used in most homes and commercial applications is “number two” heating oil. Number six heating oil is rarely used and is being phased out of use because it contains a lot of sulfur and other pollutants. Number two heating oil is designed to work with your oil furnace or boiler. (more…)

Water Heater Maintenance Extending the Life a Water Heater

Water Heater Maintenance: Solving Problems and Extending the Life a Water HeaterWater Heater Maintenance - There are tons of reviews for water heaters and many mention the water heater only lasted a few years. Or the water heater has rusted or corroded, and the reviewer states the water heater is a piece of junk.

I would contend that if some people performed annual maintenance, these water heaters would last many more years. Maintenance is straightforward to perform, and for those who are not the do-it-yourself types, you can call your local plumbing service provider to take care of the maintenance for you. (more…)

Liquid to Vapor Propane Evaporators | HVAC Heating

Liquid to Vapor Propane Evaporators

Liquid to Vapor Propane Evaporators

These evaporators serve a large complex where natural gas is unavailable. The complex needed fuel for boilers for heating and domestic hot water so these evaporators were installed too along with two very large LP tanks to handle the heating needs of the complex. As liquid propane (LP) has a specific weight of .504 (where water is 1) and propane vapor has a specific gravity of 1.5 (where the air is 1) making propane vapor 1.5 times heavier than air. (more…)

Heating with Heat Pumps | HVAC Systems

Heating with Heat Pumps | HVAC Systems - There are some people who say that heat pump heat is not as warm as other types of heat. Heating sources such as a hot water boiler or even a steam boiler. Even the forced air gas furnace gets more credit for providing better heat than the heat pump. Heat pumps are extremely popular in the southern states where the heating season is short. Additionally, where the temperature rarely dips below 35 degrees F. (more…)

HVAC Inspections Commissioning – Building & Energy Codes

HVAC Inspections and Commissioning - Building & Energy CodesHVAC 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…)