by High Performance HVAC | Air Conditioning |
Air Conditioner Problems - As an HVAC technician I am aware of all the problems air conditioners can develop. Therefore, you will get a unique perspective on air conditioner problems. And hopefully, how to avoid these problems. 
Air conditioners have become a norm in today’s society. Forty or fifty years ago air conditioners were considered a luxury. Now there are building designs where the occupants must rely on air conditioning to remain comfortable.
Additionally, with higher energy costs it is important that our air conditioners are maintained. Hence, a properly maintained system uses less energy and repair costs are lower and less frequent.
(more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Air Handlers |
Caution is always advised around mechanical and electrical equipment including the air handler. Turn the power off before removing any panels.
Air Handlers - An air handler is usually located in the garage, a closet, or in the attic (unless you have a package unit then the air handler is incorporated into one system). It is essential to any AC unit and heating forced air system. All AC units need an air handler or way to move air. It can be a part of your furnace and houses the evaporator coils, the blower motor, and some HVAC controls. It can be an up-flow, downflow, or horizontal flow AHU (air handling unit). (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Thermostats |
What you will learn from the Troubleshooting Broken Thermostats article:
- One of the most common trouble calls for HVAC heating and cooling
- Basic checks of the HVAC System thermostat to see if it is broken or?
- The basics of the thermostat for an HVAC system
- Learn what a heating anticipator is and what type of thermostat uses them.
- Fixing a Broken Thermostat for an HVAC System
- Finally, lots of related useful links to help you learn your heating and cooling HVAC system
Troubleshooting Broken Thermostats - The main connection between the air conditioning and heating system and the end-user is the thermostat. Beyond the air conditioning and heating thermostat, many people know nothing about the HVAC systems that keep them comfortable year-round. While the thermostat may be the problem, make sure you eliminate other possible heating and cooling problems.
(more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Technical Reference |
HVAC Manufacturers | Heating and Cooling - Heating and Cooling Manufacturers are always improving the energy efficiency of their products using innovation and modern technology to help. HVAC manufacturers are required by the government to increase the efficiency ratings of equipment sold. Usually, this is a mandate passed down by Congress that will set a standard for a minimum efficiency of air conditioners and heating systems. Usually, this mandate is the result of manufacturers, the department of energy, and other industry concerns meeting and agreeing to a new minimum that is more efficient and utilizes less energy than previous models and designs. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Air Handlers |
York VAV Air Handlers | HVAC Zoning - This York air handling unit serves several VAV boxes and runs on a static pressure control set point determined by a DDC program. This program has a static pressure control setpoint and sends a signal to the variable frequency drive to speed up or slow down the blower to maintain the proper static pressure control setpoint. When the VAV boxes need more air the drive speeds the air handler blower up.
When the VAV boxes need little the drive slows the blower down. The VAV boxes are controlled by a thermostat in their respective zones.
(more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Direct Digital Controls |
York Variable Frequency Drives VFDs | HVAC Control - Variable Frequency Drives or VFDs have added a whole new dimension to energy efficiency and control. These drives, or VFDs, are hooked up to two different York VAV air handlers that have two three-phase motors a piece. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Thermostats |
Blank Display on Thermostat Problem - Screen Disappeared - The thermostat display is our interface with our HVAC equipment. The display lets us know what the temperature is in the house. The display tells us what the desired settings are including letting us know the setpoint setting the temperature.
Some displays give us time, and the newer modern displays show us family photos like a screensaver on our computer. But what happens when the display is not there, or there is a blank thermostat display or no display on the thermostat?
Is it a bad thermostat or something else that caused the display to disappear? What do you do when the thermostat screen is not working? (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Thermostats |
What You Will Learn from this
How to Wire a Thermostat Article:
- the most common trouble call by service and repair HVAC companies
- about thermostat wire with a resource for more information
- the best advice for changing your thermostat
- the most common mistakes made by DIY thermostat changers
- the importance of identifying the type of HVAC system you have so you will select the proper thermostat.
- advisory and disclaimer for installing a new thermostat
- list of tools commonly needed to install a new thermostat
- step by step instructions on changing your thermostat along with hints and tips for making the job easier
- lots of extra links to other articles to make sure you completely understand everything you need to know. (and more about thermostats, thermostat wire, and installing a new thermostat)
- Resource to color codes to make it easier for installation.
- some thermostat wire diagrams at the end of the article
- You can save energy for your heating and cooling system by installing an energy-saving 7-day programmable thermostat or a setback thermostat.
- lots of comments from our readers
- thermostat wiring instructions are good for most low voltage room thermostats including a smart thermostat.
(more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Heat Pumps |
Trane Air Source Heat Pump Condenser
Heat Pump Types - There are different types of heat pumps available on the market today. A heat pump is an air conditioning unit that cools when the temperature is hot and heats when it is cold. There are many different types of these heat pump systems available. There is the geothermal heat pump. It can either utilize a series of closed-loop water pipes buried in the ground or other methods of heat exchange. This process removes or absorbs heat for heating and cooling.
Air source heat pumps can be configured differently. One type of air source heating will utilize electric heating for backup heating while another may use a gas furnace for backup heating. These types of systems can also be split systems or package units and nearly all share a similar heat pump sequence of operation. A description of the various types of systems and how they work is below in this article on heat pump types. These systems utilize similar heat pump components but differ in how the heat pump works.
(more…)
