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…)
This MagicAire Air Handler serves as part of a large club and uses a DX (direct expansion) coil for cooling and a hot water coil in the air handler for heating. Many commercial air handlers are set up in this manner for heating and air conditioning. Hot water for the hot water coil is supplied from an oil boiler which supplies hot water to other air handling units in this building. In the center of the photo is the hot water coil and to the left, the line set which feeds the DX coil can be seen. (more…)
Helping Your Air Conditioner - Beating the Heat - The new house you just bought is not so cool and the air conditioner seems to run all the time. You begin to worry that maybe something is wrong with the air conditioner. You tolerate it for a while until your spouse broaches the subject a few hours later. Both of you discuss the matter and come to the conclusion that something is wrong with the air conditioner. (more…)
Leaking 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…)
Maytag Vs Rheem - To Richard
Subject: highperformancehvac.com: Maytag vs. Rheem gas-electric packaged heater AC
From: Steve
This is an inquiry e-mail via https://highperformancehvac.com
Hi, We’re trying to compare Maytag and Rheem gas/electric heating/AC packaged units to replace our old ones. The Maytag (15 SEER, 4 ton; PPG1GFX048120) has 2-stage heating and cooling and a variable-speed blower, and 12 years of parts and labor. The Rheem (14SEER, 4 ton; RRPL-B) has a single stage and variable speed blower, 10 yr parts and we can purchase a 10 yr labor warranty.
The Maytag has seemingly better features, but we’re not familiar with Maytag heater/AC units, but know the Rheem name, and have been told it’s highly rated. One heating and air conditioning company quoted the Maytag at more than $2500 less than two other companies quoted the Rheem.
Are you familiar with the Maytag, and do you know if it’s as reliable and as highly rated as the Rheem? Also, whether the wholesale price of the Maytag is that much less than the Rheem, or is the price difference more likely to different labor costs and profit margins of the installation companies?
