Benefits of Building Automation Systems - Modern buildings use DDC controls for building automation systems. Building automation systems offer energy savings because they are energy management systems. These systems allow management to automatically control many processes involved with HVAC systems, lighting, and emergency systems. The systems are generally hooked up to the internet so monitoring and control can be done worldwide. (more…)
HVAC Products Containing Mercury and Proper Disposal - Mercury is extremely harmful to the environment and causes severe health problems in humans and animals. For many years HVAC and HVAC Controls manufacturers have used mercury in switches.
Mercury is a liquid metal and provides a good source used in many switches because of its fluidity and conductivity. From thermostats to boiler controls the liquid metal provides a reliable and efficient switching mechanism to start and stop certain sequences in HVAC applications. (more…)
Honeywell Chronotherm Plus Thermostat - Trane XL19i Condenser – I have a Honeywell Chronotherm Plus 8624D running a Trane XL19i Air Conditioner with a Trane XV90 Gas Furnace - all installed new in new construction in 2003. Every winter, during the morning warm-up from 66 to 70, the burners stay on for approximately 1.5 hours at 70, then rise quickly to 73 before finally shutting off.
The only way to interrupt the process is to turn the system OFF at the thermostat. The system is on AUTO with the cooling set at 75 for the winter.
I have swapped the thermostats (there are two sets in the house, this is the one in the attic for the second floor) with the same results. I have not swapped the thermostat circuit boards, but I can not see a reason to.
The main floor is on the same schedule but has never done this three-degree burst. I have had three different contractors out, with corresponding charges for thermostat troubleshooting with no luck. Have you ever seen this? Any thoughts? Thanks! (more…)
Data Logging Thermostats - High Performance HVAC Air Conditioning & Heating Thermostats
1) Question: Is there a thermostat for a nursing home with a printout for temperature verification?
The answer….. (more…)
Closing Off Part of the House To Save Energy on HVAC - I have a Heil gas/electric package unit in my home. I, particularly, want to know, if I can close off a section to save on heating. Heating dealers have not been helpful as they hedge on whether and how this can be done with the system still running at its most efficiency.
I have closed doors to seal off the area. Then closed floor registers. Should I also close air return in that area? I just read this should not be done at all as it decreases unit efficiency? Will you please advise. I am thinking of closing off part of the house to save energy on HVAC. Thank you. (more…)
Some things are very obvious
Home Inspector HVAC Training - Thank you!! I am training to become a home inspector, and the info contained on this site helps identify issues that require an HVAC professional to resolve. (more…)
Boiler Components Controls - All hot water boilers must have an expansion tank. Water expands when it is heated. There must be a place for it to expand so that the pressure in the boiler loop remains constant. Without a hot water boiler expansion tank, the pressures in the boiler loop system would vary wildly.
Most likely, the pressure will exceed the maximum pressures designed for the boiler hot water loop system. This will result in setting off the pressure relief valve. (more…)
Thermostat Selection Guide - This article will help you select the right type of thermostat for the HVAC system you have installed. It offers a comparison matrix for you to choose the right thermostat replacement. Get it right the first time!!!
So you have made a choice to replace the thermostat in your home or business and you decided to do it yourself. Hopefully, you will follow the advice on this website and read the instructions before replacing the thermostat.
Hot Water Heater Savings Tips - As with many of our systems that consume energy there is always something more we can do to reduce energy consumption to save ourselves money. Water heaters consume up to 15% of our energy budget and even more if you have an older water heater. You can take steps to reduce the money you spend on heating water and save this money on water heater savings that you would otherwise pay to the utilities. (more…)
Hot Water Boiler Piping Zone Valves - Boiler piping zone valves are used for zoning hot water systems where multiple zones are needed. Hot water system zoning can also reduce energy cost because hot water heat zones which are not needed can be shut down thereby reducing boiler runtime to provide hot water heat for those specific zones.
Zoning a hot water boiler system can be done by using these zone valves and separate thermostats for each zone. The boiler piping loop is separated using zone valves on a manifold type system with each zone originating at the manifold. The manifold is piped directly to the boiler. (more…)
