If we are to believe that the economic times are the worst we have seen then you would be smart to make very good cost effective decisions concerning everything to do with your home, including the indoor comfort system repair and maintenance.
So how do you keep from getting taken advantage of. Well believe it or not just as in every other field of endeavour in this integrity challenged world. Most Heating and Air conditioning contractors are honest and trustworthy, but there are a few bad actors and you need a little knowledge to make sure you are making good, well informed decisions.
First of all don't be in a hurry. In anything you do if a salesperson of any character senses urgency on your part they will treat the situation differently. take your time you can find the answer to any question in minutes with the internet and there are many contractors willing to give you a second opinion.
Make sure you know a little before you call, there are many forums and manufacturers help sites available and people are willing to help you know what questions to ask and what to look for.
If a service company representative is not willing to help you understand exactly what is going on then call someone else. You need to find someone with the willingness to teach.
More on this subject in the next post.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Safe, Cost Effective Winter Comfort
A little winter time survival advice.
Furnaces older than 15 years might be due for a replacement. For younger furnaces make sure the furnace filter is clean, the thermostat is working properly and the pilot light is functioning. Homeowners can also hire an inspector to do the job and make sure the furnace is in safe working order.
Ducts should be cleaned once every two years. Homeowners should also consider adding insulation to any exposed ductwork. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a home with central heating can lose up to 60 percent of its heated air before that air reaches the vents if ductwork is not well-connected and insulated, or if it travels through unheated spaces.
Before lighting up, homeowners planning on using their fireplace come winter should have the chimney inspected for animals, debris and leaves that may have fallen in. BBB also recommends installing a screen over the chimney opening.
Gutters should be cleaned to prevent any clogs that would cause rainwater to back up and freeze, making the gutters expand and crack. The ridge vents need to be cleaned as well in order to allow the house to "breath" correctly. Otherwise, air will stagnate and create an unhealthy environment.
The average home has air leaks that amount to a nine-square-foot hole in the wall. To prevent leaks, homeowners should inspect the caulking around windows and doors and check for cracking and peeling. In addition, ensure that doors and windows shut tightly and no cold air is coming in due to worn down weather stripping.
Emergency kit. When a winter storm strikes, an emergency kit should have all essential materials in one handy place. An emergency kit should include flashlights, candles and matches, a first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable food and a battery-powered radio. Create the same emergency kit for the car as well, including several blankets.
Furnaces older than 15 years might be due for a replacement. For younger furnaces make sure the furnace filter is clean, the thermostat is working properly and the pilot light is functioning. Homeowners can also hire an inspector to do the job and make sure the furnace is in safe working order.
Ducts should be cleaned once every two years. Homeowners should also consider adding insulation to any exposed ductwork. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a home with central heating can lose up to 60 percent of its heated air before that air reaches the vents if ductwork is not well-connected and insulated, or if it travels through unheated spaces.
Before lighting up, homeowners planning on using their fireplace come winter should have the chimney inspected for animals, debris and leaves that may have fallen in. BBB also recommends installing a screen over the chimney opening.
Gutters should be cleaned to prevent any clogs that would cause rainwater to back up and freeze, making the gutters expand and crack. The ridge vents need to be cleaned as well in order to allow the house to "breath" correctly. Otherwise, air will stagnate and create an unhealthy environment.
The average home has air leaks that amount to a nine-square-foot hole in the wall. To prevent leaks, homeowners should inspect the caulking around windows and doors and check for cracking and peeling. In addition, ensure that doors and windows shut tightly and no cold air is coming in due to worn down weather stripping.
Emergency kit. When a winter storm strikes, an emergency kit should have all essential materials in one handy place. An emergency kit should include flashlights, candles and matches, a first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable food and a battery-powered radio. Create the same emergency kit for the car as well, including several blankets.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Heat is a poppin
Hi there, last night I noticed that it was really warm in the living room. I went to the thermostat(digital) and noticed it was 23 degrees! I turned it down to like 18, but the baseboard heater would not shut off. It kept running and running no matter how low I put the thermostat. All of a sudden I heard PACK! at the baseboard heater. I ran to the electrical room and noticed the breaker did not shut, so i shut it right away.
I checked the baseboard heater and found the ground wire and blown off the screw.
I have one new 2000watt baseboard heater and one new 1000watt basebard heater running off the one new digital thermostat.
Any sugestions on what caused the baseboard heater to keep running, and why the ground wire blew off, and why the breaker did not shut down?
Any info is greatly appreciated, it will be really cold tonight and I still have't turned the breaker back on!!!
Answer.
The breaker did not open because the circuit is imprperly grounded, the wire blew off, probably because ther is a short in that heater. It is kind of coincidental that a thermostat would go bad at the same time as the heater failure so I would blame the overheat on that heater for now until you prove different. A few possibilities are that the heater is improperly wired or that there was just a failure inside but my guess is improper wiring.
Follow up.
Hi Mike. Thanks for the quick response.
Just to clarify a few things...when you say the circuit is improperly grounded, do you mean at the baseboard heater?
A breaker will not trip if it is not grounded correctly?
I forgot to mention that both baseboard heaters would not turn off, so more likely it is the thermostat??
Answer.
If the circuit is properly grounded and there is a short circuit, the breaker will trip. That is the way it is supposed to work. I do think the thermostat is probably bad it is just kind of coincidental. I think the grounding problem is between the heater and the breaker box
I checked the baseboard heater and found the ground wire and blown off the screw.
I have one new 2000watt baseboard heater and one new 1000watt basebard heater running off the one new digital thermostat.
Any sugestions on what caused the baseboard heater to keep running, and why the ground wire blew off, and why the breaker did not shut down?
Any info is greatly appreciated, it will be really cold tonight and I still have't turned the breaker back on!!!
Answer.
The breaker did not open because the circuit is imprperly grounded, the wire blew off, probably because ther is a short in that heater. It is kind of coincidental that a thermostat would go bad at the same time as the heater failure so I would blame the overheat on that heater for now until you prove different. A few possibilities are that the heater is improperly wired or that there was just a failure inside but my guess is improper wiring.
Follow up.
Hi Mike. Thanks for the quick response.
Just to clarify a few things...when you say the circuit is improperly grounded, do you mean at the baseboard heater?
A breaker will not trip if it is not grounded correctly?
I forgot to mention that both baseboard heaters would not turn off, so more likely it is the thermostat??
Answer.
If the circuit is properly grounded and there is a short circuit, the breaker will trip. That is the way it is supposed to work. I do think the thermostat is probably bad it is just kind of coincidental. I think the grounding problem is between the heater and the breaker box
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Heating or Air Conditioning the world starts staying inside
I of course am in the air conditioning business we work on furnaces and refrigeration equipment also, but I must be honest and tell you I feel that indoor comfort control while a nice luxury has drastically changed society, and not for the better.
I just read an Australian report since 1994 residential air conditioning has increased from 15 to 58% this mirrors what happened in the U.S. in the 80's. I witnessed this and like everything else we do you never know what the impact will be until you are in it.
I remember people who grew up in major metropolitan areas in the 50's and 60's and they would tell stories of the summers when they could walk down the sidewalk during any summer day and never miss pitch of there favorite teams ballgame that day because everyone had the game on the radio and of course their windows were open. All the kids were on the street and all the mothers were in the yard.
I myself grew up in a small town we never had air conditioning until I was 14 years old all the families were in their yards or on the porches until late evening and our relatives in the country the same way every house you drove by you knew who lived there because they were all on the porch and waved at you when you went by.
Yes I know things change and I am tilting at windmills but this is just an observation from someone who sees our kids living completely different lives than we did and neighborhoods with little or no connection except for the water, sewer and electrical.
I'm just sayin.
I just read an Australian report since 1994 residential air conditioning has increased from 15 to 58% this mirrors what happened in the U.S. in the 80's. I witnessed this and like everything else we do you never know what the impact will be until you are in it.
I remember people who grew up in major metropolitan areas in the 50's and 60's and they would tell stories of the summers when they could walk down the sidewalk during any summer day and never miss pitch of there favorite teams ballgame that day because everyone had the game on the radio and of course their windows were open. All the kids were on the street and all the mothers were in the yard.
I myself grew up in a small town we never had air conditioning until I was 14 years old all the families were in their yards or on the porches until late evening and our relatives in the country the same way every house you drove by you knew who lived there because they were all on the porch and waved at you when you went by.
Yes I know things change and I am tilting at windmills but this is just an observation from someone who sees our kids living completely different lives than we did and neighborhoods with little or no connection except for the water, sewer and electrical.
I'm just sayin.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
BRRR!!!
It's getting cold out there, hopefully not inside your house. If so it is time to start thinking about what you are going to do about it. If you have a gas furnace you can call your utility provider and they should come and start it up without charge. If there are any serious issues they will alert you then you can decide whether to call a service company or to try to fix it yourself.
Most times a good cleaning will go a long way. Opening up the combustion chamber on an older furnace and cleaning it out with a shop vacuum does not take a technician. You can check for loose or burnt and corroded wires. Look for any evidence that the heat from combustion is where it is not supposed to be. If it is you can look for any obvious issues with your venting (rusty or perforated vent pipes or blocked or disconnected vents) if you do not see anything obvious you will probably want to call a pro here because you may have a failed heat exchanger and this could lead to cobustion product getting into your home.
If you have an electric system you will want to shut the power off and check every!! electrical connection inside the unit. Electric heat by it's very nature (wires getting hot) generates heat on the wires. This is made worse by loose or corroded connections which generate more heat. If you are successful DO It Yourselfer there are many places to get help if you have specific problems. Here are just a few,
http://forum.doityourself.com/forumdisplay.php?f=129
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/hvac/
http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/wwwboard.html
http://www.howtorepairairconditioners.com/homeowner-cries/fans-hvac-variable-speed-unit-furnace.html
Most times a good cleaning will go a long way. Opening up the combustion chamber on an older furnace and cleaning it out with a shop vacuum does not take a technician. You can check for loose or burnt and corroded wires. Look for any evidence that the heat from combustion is where it is not supposed to be. If it is you can look for any obvious issues with your venting (rusty or perforated vent pipes or blocked or disconnected vents) if you do not see anything obvious you will probably want to call a pro here because you may have a failed heat exchanger and this could lead to cobustion product getting into your home.
If you have an electric system you will want to shut the power off and check every!! electrical connection inside the unit. Electric heat by it's very nature (wires getting hot) generates heat on the wires. This is made worse by loose or corroded connections which generate more heat. If you are successful DO It Yourselfer there are many places to get help if you have specific problems. Here are just a few,
http://forum.doityourself.com/forumdisplay.php?f=129
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/hvac/
http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/wwwboard.html
http://www.howtorepairairconditioners.com/homeowner-cries/fans-hvac-variable-speed-unit-furnace.html
Thursday, October 23, 2008
I just turned on the heat for the first time and my furnace won't light
Questioner: Steve
Category: Heating, Air Conditioning, Fridge, HVAC
Private: No
Subject: ignition problem - Goodman GMNT100-4 furnace
Question: QUESTION: Hi Mike - I stumbled across this site while trouble shooting my Goodman GMNT100-4 furnace and thought I would give it a try. This is a used furnace that I had installed in my workshop (professional install) - it has been in place for almost 2 years without any issue. It is also fueled by Propane.
When the thermostat trips, it turns on the furnace as normal . The blower motor kicks in (draft motor?). The ignitor begins to glow a short time after this, and then the gas valve supplies gas. This is where things start to go wrong. There are 5 "burners" / tubes. The first one with the ignitor begins to burn the propane, but the other 4 tubes never begin to burn.
I pulled the front cover so I could watch the circuit board and after it cycles a few times, it shuts down and the indicator light blinks once indicating failed ignition (yeap, it failed to ignite properly). Listed problems include gas pressure and ignitor. The ignitor is new.
I did check the obvious and the propane tank (500 gallon) is 40 percent full. I did not check pressure post regulator as I have no easy way to do that currently.
Am I looking at a propane regulator problem or is it possible it is the gas valve itself? Any other thoughts?
This problem started gradually and now it will not ignite fully at all.
Ideas?
ANSWER: Your igniter is definitely not bad as it is getting hot. So move to the next problem you are not getting complete ignition, the possible causes are obviously improper fuel pressure ( you need to be able to check this to properly diagnose), Restricted fuel delivery (plugged orifices, screens or strainers), too much or too little combustion air (bad heat exchanger). So where do we go from here, first because you do not have any pressure diagnostic equipment you can theorize about fuel pressure but without knowing that is just a rabbit hole and has to be saved for last. So that leaves you with restriction or improper combustion air. We need to recognize that we are talking about issues of safety first so with resriction you can easily take off all the burner orifices and get a torch cleaning kit or fine wire and make sure everything is clear then move to combustion air. Because your system is not shutting down on your draft motor or pressure switch it is not likely that you have a bad fan or blockage so that leads me to a possible bad heat exchanger. Make sure your indoor fan is not running while the furnace is trying to light. If it is not then cobustion air is probably not an issue. If it is and when you make sure the fan is shut off the furnace lights ok then that is a red flag for heat exchanger issues and you need to get a new furnace. If none of this advice works you need to get proper pressure testing equipment and make sure your fuel pressure matches the design parameters on the information plate of your furnace. I know that is a lot of information but that is just some of the things you have to consider when you are working on this equipment.
Category: Heating, Air Conditioning, Fridge, HVAC
Private: No
Subject: ignition problem - Goodman GMNT100-4 furnace
Question: QUESTION: Hi Mike - I stumbled across this site while trouble shooting my Goodman GMNT100-4 furnace and thought I would give it a try. This is a used furnace that I had installed in my workshop (professional install) - it has been in place for almost 2 years without any issue. It is also fueled by Propane.
When the thermostat trips, it turns on the furnace as normal . The blower motor kicks in (draft motor?). The ignitor begins to glow a short time after this, and then the gas valve supplies gas. This is where things start to go wrong. There are 5 "burners" / tubes. The first one with the ignitor begins to burn the propane, but the other 4 tubes never begin to burn.
I pulled the front cover so I could watch the circuit board and after it cycles a few times, it shuts down and the indicator light blinks once indicating failed ignition (yeap, it failed to ignite properly). Listed problems include gas pressure and ignitor. The ignitor is new.
I did check the obvious and the propane tank (500 gallon) is 40 percent full. I did not check pressure post regulator as I have no easy way to do that currently.
Am I looking at a propane regulator problem or is it possible it is the gas valve itself? Any other thoughts?
This problem started gradually and now it will not ignite fully at all.
Ideas?
ANSWER: Your igniter is definitely not bad as it is getting hot. So move to the next problem you are not getting complete ignition, the possible causes are obviously improper fuel pressure ( you need to be able to check this to properly diagnose), Restricted fuel delivery (plugged orifices, screens or strainers), too much or too little combustion air (bad heat exchanger). So where do we go from here, first because you do not have any pressure diagnostic equipment you can theorize about fuel pressure but without knowing that is just a rabbit hole and has to be saved for last. So that leaves you with restriction or improper combustion air. We need to recognize that we are talking about issues of safety first so with resriction you can easily take off all the burner orifices and get a torch cleaning kit or fine wire and make sure everything is clear then move to combustion air. Because your system is not shutting down on your draft motor or pressure switch it is not likely that you have a bad fan or blockage so that leads me to a possible bad heat exchanger. Make sure your indoor fan is not running while the furnace is trying to light. If it is not then cobustion air is probably not an issue. If it is and when you make sure the fan is shut off the furnace lights ok then that is a red flag for heat exchanger issues and you need to get a new furnace. If none of this advice works you need to get proper pressure testing equipment and make sure your fuel pressure matches the design parameters on the information plate of your furnace. I know that is a lot of information but that is just some of the things you have to consider when you are working on this equipment.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Heating start up problems
JANITROL DEPENDABLE NINETY TWO FURNACE-HELP!!!!!!!! PLEASE?
I moved into a house that needed a (bit of work) this past march 08...the house has a Janitrol dependable ninety two furnace. (Model number-GMN080-4)
when I first fired it up ran great...used it clear up to june 08'...and then I just turned the theromostat down and turned off the fan and forgot all about it ....nerver turned the gas off or the main power..didn't think I needed to.
yesterday I went down in the basement, checked everything out, visually everything looked ok, gas was on, power at switch was on, so I came back upstairs tured on the fan and raised the temp level to about 75.....I heard the fan kick on, however no heat.
I went back down and started fiddling around..nothing...I called a friend who works for a heating company....he installs systems...(not a service tech) he noticed that there was a little red flashing light....the light was blicking three times .....according to the troubleshooting guide on the inside panel this indicated that
pressure switch failure to close..and sugessted to check venter pressure switch vent blockage
so we took the pressure switch off..checked for blockage..replaced it....tried to fire furnace....it seemed to take off normally....only this time the ignitor came on , glowing orange....but the gas valve never opened....(note:on my pressure switch..there are only two orange wires ...one on the common, and one on a prong marked no)
my friend went back to his place of work and found a switch on another unit from an old job, that looked basically the same and brought it back.....on this switch it had three wires...male prongs marked c, nc, and no.....we hooked it up and tried again...this time the fan kicked on, then we heard some clicking as the ignitor came on, then the gas valve opened and poof...we had heat...yeah!!!!!.....so I thought.
he left, then I left for diner, when I came back....the fan was running...but no heat, and the house was cool, so I knew it had not run very long after I left...I went back downstairs...tried to get to fire...nothing.
however I was playing with the pressure switch.....I pulled the wire on the common post....it took off like it should....again short lived..so I switched the wires around on the switch since there is no distinctive markings to signify which was which(there both orange).....anyway again same as above it fired but briefly......
tonight we messed with it again..only this time we got the three blicks code...pulled the vent tube..it was clear...the fan was blowing strong.....
got it to take off..only this time the ignitor would come on but the gas valve never did open......and we got no heat...we got nothing...if any one is familiar with this brand of furnace..and can understand what may be happening..i need your help before it gets to cold....thank you.
Wow a lot of info for a change I appreciate that. Anyway it sounds like you have a problem with the way your pressure switch is working but the trick is you have a 90 plus furnace and there are a lot of things that can make a pressure switch fail to close on a 90 plus. You need to make sure the drainage system is clear as water in the heat exchanger will cause the symptoms you describe. also you need to make sure the venting is clear all the way to the outside of the house. Then you need to check the draft inducer to make sure it is running properly and the blower wheel is intact, I know that is a lot to think about but if it was easy everyone would do it.
no were the tube goes into the induction motor take a wire and clear the trash thats in there blocking also check flue pipe make sure you dont have a birds nest in there you are on the right track but you need to make sure it has a way to vent.
I moved into a house that needed a (bit of work) this past march 08...the house has a Janitrol dependable ninety two furnace. (Model number-GMN080-4)
when I first fired it up ran great...used it clear up to june 08'...and then I just turned the theromostat down and turned off the fan and forgot all about it ....nerver turned the gas off or the main power..didn't think I needed to.
yesterday I went down in the basement, checked everything out, visually everything looked ok, gas was on, power at switch was on, so I came back upstairs tured on the fan and raised the temp level to about 75.....I heard the fan kick on, however no heat.
I went back down and started fiddling around..nothing...I called a friend who works for a heating company....he installs systems...(not a service tech) he noticed that there was a little red flashing light....the light was blicking three times .....according to the troubleshooting guide on the inside panel this indicated that
pressure switch failure to close..and sugessted to check venter pressure switch vent blockage
so we took the pressure switch off..checked for blockage..replaced it....tried to fire furnace....it seemed to take off normally....only this time the ignitor came on , glowing orange....but the gas valve never opened....(note:on my pressure switch..there are only two orange wires ...one on the common, and one on a prong marked no)
my friend went back to his place of work and found a switch on another unit from an old job, that looked basically the same and brought it back.....on this switch it had three wires...male prongs marked c, nc, and no.....we hooked it up and tried again...this time the fan kicked on, then we heard some clicking as the ignitor came on, then the gas valve opened and poof...we had heat...yeah!!!!!.....so I thought.
he left, then I left for diner, when I came back....the fan was running...but no heat, and the house was cool, so I knew it had not run very long after I left...I went back downstairs...tried to get to fire...nothing.
however I was playing with the pressure switch.....I pulled the wire on the common post....it took off like it should....again short lived..so I switched the wires around on the switch since there is no distinctive markings to signify which was which(there both orange).....anyway again same as above it fired but briefly......
tonight we messed with it again..only this time we got the three blicks code...pulled the vent tube..it was clear...the fan was blowing strong.....
got it to take off..only this time the ignitor would come on but the gas valve never did open......and we got no heat...we got nothing...if any one is familiar with this brand of furnace..and can understand what may be happening..i need your help before it gets to cold....thank you.
Wow a lot of info for a change I appreciate that. Anyway it sounds like you have a problem with the way your pressure switch is working but the trick is you have a 90 plus furnace and there are a lot of things that can make a pressure switch fail to close on a 90 plus. You need to make sure the drainage system is clear as water in the heat exchanger will cause the symptoms you describe. also you need to make sure the venting is clear all the way to the outside of the house. Then you need to check the draft inducer to make sure it is running properly and the blower wheel is intact, I know that is a lot to think about but if it was easy everyone would do it.
no were the tube goes into the induction motor take a wire and clear the trash thats in there blocking also check flue pipe make sure you dont have a birds nest in there you are on the right track but you need to make sure it has a way to vent.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
No Air In Here
We have a Rheem air conditioner, and we just moved in about two months ago. Earlier this week, we noticed that while we set our thermostat on about 76, it has not changed the temperature in our home, which remains about 88 degrees. I checked the thermostat, and it's fine. I changed the air filter, and turned the electricity at the circuit breaker on and off, like the thermostat's website suggested. It's not cooling our house, and I'm at a loss as to what to do now. Is there anything else I can do to fix the problem, or do I need to call in a professional repair firm? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
You need to go outside and see if the outdoor unit is running, check the breakers or fuses. If you feel comfortable tell me what you find otherwise call a reputable company for service. There are many possibilities but I need more information to help. It could be as simple as a loose wire or as complex as a pc board bad.
You need to go outside and see if the outdoor unit is running, check the breakers or fuses. If you feel comfortable tell me what you find otherwise call a reputable company for service. There are many possibilities but I need more information to help. It could be as simple as a loose wire or as complex as a pc board bad.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Mexican Air
Q.
HelpThisGirl We have a York window A/C 12000 btu 220 volt
model Y7USC12-6R , yes mexican model, we are in a mexican resort town trying to fix this
The 2 bushings for the motor are bad.
We can not access the screws or bolts to remove the fan and blower to remove the motor because the condenser coil and evaporator coil are flush up against the fan and blower, and both are in a housing.
looks pretty much like this
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/...dow-unit-1.jpg
I have 2 questions
1) Can just the bushings be replaced on the motor ? new motor is almost as much as a new a/c
2) How do we get the coils out of the way to get to the fan screws or bolts to remove them. Can we bend the tubes or do the tubes need to be cut ? We would like to take the motor out ourselves. Can't seem to get a repair person to come out in this town:
any help you can give this girl would be greatly appreciated
thank you in advance
A.
If you cut those lines you will find out that was a bad idea so don't do it. take all the screws out of the coil enclosure and gently pull the coils out of the way being careful not bend the tubing too sharply or it will fold and it is all over. Then you will be able to acces whatever set screw or other holding device holds th blade in place. Mark the shaft with a sharpie or scratch all where the blade is placed before you remove the blade and blower wheel so you do not have to remember. Now remove the motor, you can replace the bushings or bearings whatever the case may be and that is the only cost effective way to make this repair because when you buy a new motor and factor in your time smart money buys a new unit, as a matter of fact many would say smart money buys a new unit anyway but if you have the time and the tools and you are in a mexican resort town, why not?
HelpThisGirl We have a York window A/C 12000 btu 220 volt
model Y7USC12-6R , yes mexican model, we are in a mexican resort town trying to fix this
The 2 bushings for the motor are bad.
We can not access the screws or bolts to remove the fan and blower to remove the motor because the condenser coil and evaporator coil are flush up against the fan and blower, and both are in a housing.
looks pretty much like this
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/...dow-unit-1.jpg
I have 2 questions
1) Can just the bushings be replaced on the motor ? new motor is almost as much as a new a/c
2) How do we get the coils out of the way to get to the fan screws or bolts to remove them. Can we bend the tubes or do the tubes need to be cut ? We would like to take the motor out ourselves. Can't seem to get a repair person to come out in this town:
any help you can give this girl would be greatly appreciated
thank you in advance
A.
If you cut those lines you will find out that was a bad idea so don't do it. take all the screws out of the coil enclosure and gently pull the coils out of the way being careful not bend the tubing too sharply or it will fold and it is all over. Then you will be able to acces whatever set screw or other holding device holds th blade in place. Mark the shaft with a sharpie or scratch all where the blade is placed before you remove the blade and blower wheel so you do not have to remember. Now remove the motor, you can replace the bushings or bearings whatever the case may be and that is the only cost effective way to make this repair because when you buy a new motor and factor in your time smart money buys a new unit, as a matter of fact many would say smart money buys a new unit anyway but if you have the time and the tools and you are in a mexican resort town, why not?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Changing Filters is important, but...
Changed filter but A/C won't run
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The digital thermostat said to change the filter and the A/C would not run. So I turned the dial to "filter" which turns the thermostat off, changed the filter, then set it back to "run." It still says "change filter" and still will not run. I cut off the power supply to the thermostat hoping it would reset and would work again, but that didn't work. I'm not sure what else to do. The thermostat still works, and the A/C ran just fine prior to the "change filter" indication on the thermostat. Please help!
Air Conditioning Problems
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The "Change Filter" function on your thermostat is just a timer, it has nothing to do with the operation of your system. You may have a battery operated thermostat that will still operate when the unit has no power, so start from scratch.
Check your breakers then go to your furnace switch or disconnect, then proceed to your control circuitry (fuse on PC board or trasformer there are several different things to check but do not be distracted by the change filter light.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The digital thermostat said to change the filter and the A/C would not run. So I turned the dial to "filter" which turns the thermostat off, changed the filter, then set it back to "run." It still says "change filter" and still will not run. I cut off the power supply to the thermostat hoping it would reset and would work again, but that didn't work. I'm not sure what else to do. The thermostat still works, and the A/C ran just fine prior to the "change filter" indication on the thermostat. Please help!
Air Conditioning Problems
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The "Change Filter" function on your thermostat is just a timer, it has nothing to do with the operation of your system. You may have a battery operated thermostat that will still operate when the unit has no power, so start from scratch.
Check your breakers then go to your furnace switch or disconnect, then proceed to your control circuitry (fuse on PC board or trasformer there are several different things to check but do not be distracted by the change filter light.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Frustrated Homeowner asks for help
Originally Posted by parkave
Hello mike I need your help.
My central air inside and outside is running but the air is not cold.When the outside unit come on you can feel the heat above the fan but after 2 minutes the sound is very low and no heat above the fan. A tech told me he thinks the compressor is good but the pipe from the compressor outside is clogged and he needs to empty it of freon,cut the pipe and clear the line.He said if its not that he think a line in the air handler is blocked. Please do you think this could be the problem if not what do you think.
Thanks.
It is entirely possible that you do have a restriction in the refrigerant circuit. If that is the case you should have high head pressure with high subcooling and low suction pressure with high superheat.
You may want to throw these terms out when you are talking to your service person and see what kind of response you get.
Good Morning Mike,
I think you are 100% right because he was having a lot of problem while trying to charge the system.He retrieve all the freon,then he used nitrogen to find a leak and blow out the line, but when he was replacing the freon I notice he was having a problem because he use a bucket of water and a lot of ice and after that the air from the ducts were warm and he said it would get cold after a while. It never so I turn it off.
Hope this shed a little more info and thanks but kinly let me know your professional advice .
parkave
If this person works for a large reputable company then call their office, describe the situation and ask for another tech. If they are a good company this will red flag them and they will send out a "call back guy"
this is a very experienced tech who is used to cleaning up other peoples messes.
If as you described the person at your house was using ice water he must not have been adding refrigerant he must have been trying to recover without a recovery machine.
If the company won't send someone else then you may have to just call another company and take your lumps it is very unfortunate but depending on the part of the country you are in there are a whole bunch of people in this business who have not been properly trained.
Mike,
I thank you very much for your professional help and valuable time. I have a new tech coming tomorrow who will do what you recommended and he thought was a possibility and as soon as everything I will contact you.
Again THANKS A MILLION
Parkave
Hello mike I need your help.
My central air inside and outside is running but the air is not cold.When the outside unit come on you can feel the heat above the fan but after 2 minutes the sound is very low and no heat above the fan. A tech told me he thinks the compressor is good but the pipe from the compressor outside is clogged and he needs to empty it of freon,cut the pipe and clear the line.He said if its not that he think a line in the air handler is blocked. Please do you think this could be the problem if not what do you think.
Thanks.
It is entirely possible that you do have a restriction in the refrigerant circuit. If that is the case you should have high head pressure with high subcooling and low suction pressure with high superheat.
You may want to throw these terms out when you are talking to your service person and see what kind of response you get.
Good Morning Mike,
I think you are 100% right because he was having a lot of problem while trying to charge the system.He retrieve all the freon,then he used nitrogen to find a leak and blow out the line, but when he was replacing the freon I notice he was having a problem because he use a bucket of water and a lot of ice and after that the air from the ducts were warm and he said it would get cold after a while. It never so I turn it off.
Hope this shed a little more info and thanks but kinly let me know your professional advice .
parkave
If this person works for a large reputable company then call their office, describe the situation and ask for another tech. If they are a good company this will red flag them and they will send out a "call back guy"
this is a very experienced tech who is used to cleaning up other peoples messes.
If as you described the person at your house was using ice water he must not have been adding refrigerant he must have been trying to recover without a recovery machine.
If the company won't send someone else then you may have to just call another company and take your lumps it is very unfortunate but depending on the part of the country you are in there are a whole bunch of people in this business who have not been properly trained.
Mike,
I thank you very much for your professional help and valuable time. I have a new tech coming tomorrow who will do what you recommended and he thought was a possibility and as soon as everything I will contact you.
Again THANKS A MILLION
Parkave
Friday, October 3, 2008
Home Warranty Air Conditioning Repair
It starts when you have problems with a major appliance. You call the home warranty company and they send out a service company.
3 weeks ago we were told that our compressor was dead, since then we have called every couple of days with no clear answer. Finally we just called another company and got it fixed.
This is an all too familiar problem, Home warranties are pushed by real estate agents and others in the home buying process. The sellers receive a commission for closing a sale the home buyer is happy at the time because they are told that they receive this great coverage for a great low price (typically less than $250) so this is a win-win right, well at the time.
Then some time over the next year the customer has a problem, the warranty company answers the call right away and dispatches a local contractor to help. One would suspect that a nationwide company would hire a top shelf contractor, that is a bad assumption. Most reputable contractors charge rates which allow them to offer their employees fair wages with good benefits while making a 7-15% profit, these numbers don't work with home warranty companies. In order for them to make money they need to make minimum repairs and have those repairs done by low budget contractors.
This does not make them all bad most times any time you use your home warranty for any kind of repair you will get at least the value of what you paid so you should not be surprised when you get what you pay for.
The problem comes when customers expect to get a new unit worth $2500 when they bought a policy that cost them $250, that kind of math is what caused our current economic trouble.
Air conditioning repair especially causes quite a few problems in these situations. There are so many lower skilled contractors in the business and the insurers need to utilize these contractors to make their numbers work. This situation makes for some interesting customer interactions
3 weeks ago we were told that our compressor was dead, since then we have called every couple of days with no clear answer. Finally we just called another company and got it fixed.
This is an all too familiar problem, Home warranties are pushed by real estate agents and others in the home buying process. The sellers receive a commission for closing a sale the home buyer is happy at the time because they are told that they receive this great coverage for a great low price (typically less than $250) so this is a win-win right, well at the time.
Then some time over the next year the customer has a problem, the warranty company answers the call right away and dispatches a local contractor to help. One would suspect that a nationwide company would hire a top shelf contractor, that is a bad assumption. Most reputable contractors charge rates which allow them to offer their employees fair wages with good benefits while making a 7-15% profit, these numbers don't work with home warranty companies. In order for them to make money they need to make minimum repairs and have those repairs done by low budget contractors.
This does not make them all bad most times any time you use your home warranty for any kind of repair you will get at least the value of what you paid so you should not be surprised when you get what you pay for.
The problem comes when customers expect to get a new unit worth $2500 when they bought a policy that cost them $250, that kind of math is what caused our current economic trouble.
Air conditioning repair especially causes quite a few problems in these situations. There are so many lower skilled contractors in the business and the insurers need to utilize these contractors to make their numbers work. This situation makes for some interesting customer interactions
Thursday, October 2, 2008
What is that Noise
I've been hearing a loud whistle sound that comes from the outdoor part of my home A/C system. It seems to cool just fine but makes that noise when it shuts off. It doesn't sound like a belt slipping but more like a high pressure gas release of some sort. Is this something I need to worry about? (can I fix it?)
Sounds like you have a heat pump that is equalizing when it shuts off this is not unusual but the noise being annoying is a concern, one possibility is that your head pressure is very high. You need to check your outdoor coil and make sure it is clean and your outdoor fan is running. Hopefully you haven't had service work done recently and the system got overcharged. The other possibility is the reversing valve is not coming back all the way when the solenoid releases, this could be a serious problem turn your system to heat and make sure your heat pump works all right, this may alleviate the problem but if not and your heat works you can decide to live with the noise or replace the reversing valve.
Sounds like you have a heat pump that is equalizing when it shuts off this is not unusual but the noise being annoying is a concern, one possibility is that your head pressure is very high. You need to check your outdoor coil and make sure it is clean and your outdoor fan is running. Hopefully you haven't had service work done recently and the system got overcharged. The other possibility is the reversing valve is not coming back all the way when the solenoid releases, this could be a serious problem turn your system to heat and make sure your heat pump works all right, this may alleviate the problem but if not and your heat works you can decide to live with the noise or replace the reversing valve.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
How did my Air Conditioner Freeze Up
When a persons Air conditioner freezes up they have a hard time figuring out why, well here are some low tech explanations that I think will make sense to you.
When your air conditioner runs it has a pupose and this purpose is to take the heat out of your house the way it does that is to transfer that heat energy into another substance besides your air, for the purpose of this explanation we will use refrigerant more commonly known by the dupont brand name Freon.
In order for energy to transfer you need to have a temperature difference and when you supply that temperature difference the energy will move from the hot substance to the cooler substance until both are the same temperature. When you put an ice cube in your hand your hand gets cold right? What happens to the poor ice cube, it picks up heat until it can't absorb anymore then you have a wet hand right.
To trasfer the heat energy out of the air in your house we usually use the refrigerant flowing through a series of copper coils pressed together with aluminum fins called an evaporator or indoor coil. With the refrigerant at the right pressure in this coil the corresponding temperature will typically be 38-45 degrees, so that when you draw your 75-80 degree air across it you will pick up heat as we discussed earlier. Because that coil temperature is below what is called the dew point of the air in your house in addition to giving up heat the air will also relieve itself of moisture or precipitate. This moisture travels down the coil to the drain and everything works as it should. When a freeze up occurs a couple of things happen that aren't supposed to.
1. your coil temperature gets below freezing
2. the water that is precipitating out of your air is not water anymore it's ice
There could be a couple of explanations for this
1. The most common reason for a freeze up is your filter is dirty (and you will feel so foolish if you call a service person out to your home and he pulls the dirty filter out and charges you $100 so don't let this happen to you). Your air conditioner is designed for a certain amount of airflow and anything less than that will cause the coil temperature to drop because you air not drawing enough warm air across it to give the refrigerant heat to pick up.
2.The second reason your coil might freeze up is low refrigerant pressure jusst like low airflow not providing enough heat for the system low refrigerant pressure does not provide enough transfer media (refrigerant) for the system the coil temperature drops in the first part of the coil while it rises in the rest of it, but that cold part starts ice and works its way up the coil over time.
These are not the only reasons just the most common. Low airflow may be caused by duct obstructions, a bad fan motor,a coil that is very dirty or too many of the supply grilles closed.
Low refrigerant pressure is caused by leaks or obstructions in the system.
If you want to save money the next time you have a freeze up check these things out.
When your air conditioner runs it has a pupose and this purpose is to take the heat out of your house the way it does that is to transfer that heat energy into another substance besides your air, for the purpose of this explanation we will use refrigerant more commonly known by the dupont brand name Freon.
In order for energy to transfer you need to have a temperature difference and when you supply that temperature difference the energy will move from the hot substance to the cooler substance until both are the same temperature. When you put an ice cube in your hand your hand gets cold right? What happens to the poor ice cube, it picks up heat until it can't absorb anymore then you have a wet hand right.
To trasfer the heat energy out of the air in your house we usually use the refrigerant flowing through a series of copper coils pressed together with aluminum fins called an evaporator or indoor coil. With the refrigerant at the right pressure in this coil the corresponding temperature will typically be 38-45 degrees, so that when you draw your 75-80 degree air across it you will pick up heat as we discussed earlier. Because that coil temperature is below what is called the dew point of the air in your house in addition to giving up heat the air will also relieve itself of moisture or precipitate. This moisture travels down the coil to the drain and everything works as it should. When a freeze up occurs a couple of things happen that aren't supposed to.
1. your coil temperature gets below freezing
2. the water that is precipitating out of your air is not water anymore it's ice
There could be a couple of explanations for this
1. The most common reason for a freeze up is your filter is dirty (and you will feel so foolish if you call a service person out to your home and he pulls the dirty filter out and charges you $100 so don't let this happen to you). Your air conditioner is designed for a certain amount of airflow and anything less than that will cause the coil temperature to drop because you air not drawing enough warm air across it to give the refrigerant heat to pick up.
2.The second reason your coil might freeze up is low refrigerant pressure jusst like low airflow not providing enough heat for the system low refrigerant pressure does not provide enough transfer media (refrigerant) for the system the coil temperature drops in the first part of the coil while it rises in the rest of it, but that cold part starts ice and works its way up the coil over time.
These are not the only reasons just the most common. Low airflow may be caused by duct obstructions, a bad fan motor,a coil that is very dirty or too many of the supply grilles closed.
Low refrigerant pressure is caused by leaks or obstructions in the system.
If you want to save money the next time you have a freeze up check these things out.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Homeowner Cries for Help
I have a old White Rodgers Furnace however this year I go to turn my furnace on and the the heat kicks on and off as it should however the blower stays on and refuses to turn off. I learned if i tap the furnace it goes off every time. If the furnace is not on I can put the the Fan in Auto and On and it will turn on and off but not once the Furnace heat kicks it on then I have no control to turn it off. Please any suggestions. Online i read possible sensor or fan limit switch.
It is definitely your fan/limit switch which is a bi metal coil which as it heats and cools of course expands and contracts and as it does that it turns the controller itself and makes or breaks contact. When they fail the coil does not have the strength to turn the wheel as the wheel corrodes and gets dirty. You may be able to lubricate it with spray lubricant and turn the wheel slowly back and forth a couple of times and get it to work, but to get a new one and replace it is a simple operation and very easy to get to. Just make sure you clip the small wire at the bottom because if your fan circuit is 24 volts which it probably is that wire must be cut to prevent sending line voltage to the control side of the transformer.
It is definitely your fan/limit switch which is a bi metal coil which as it heats and cools of course expands and contracts and as it does that it turns the controller itself and makes or breaks contact. When they fail the coil does not have the strength to turn the wheel as the wheel corrodes and gets dirty. You may be able to lubricate it with spray lubricant and turn the wheel slowly back and forth a couple of times and get it to work, but to get a new one and replace it is a simple operation and very easy to get to. Just make sure you clip the small wire at the bottom because if your fan circuit is 24 volts which it probably is that wire must be cut to prevent sending line voltage to the control side of the transformer.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
When Smoke Gets in your Eyes
I rent an apartment upstairs from the landlord who smokes - we each have our own forced air oil furnace - but I get a smoke smell (cigarette) and occassionaly an oily chemical smell in addition to alot of dust and soot- I'm trying to convince the landlord to get the furnace professionally serviced before this winter - but he says he can't smell anything and isn't keen to look into it. In the meantime i'm trying to work out what would be the best filter for my furnace to cut down on these odors? I have some carbon impregnated register filters but i'm curious whether a electrostatic and carbon filter combo or a merv12 filter would be better?
Thanks.
You are probably not going to make much of an impact with any kind of normal filtration. You will probably have to get a clean effects or something like that utilizing multiple technologies and that may be cost prohibitive in a rental situation. Sorry for the bad news I have just seen too many people spend money and still have the problem they started with.
There are systems used in bars and restaurants that will eliminate most of by products of smoke and VOC's but they are pretty expensive which is why you only see them in nicer places here is a link to one brand http://www.purennatural.com/fs.php?center=smoke-eaters/smokeeater.php there are a few others check for some reviews on line
Thanks.
You are probably not going to make much of an impact with any kind of normal filtration. You will probably have to get a clean effects or something like that utilizing multiple technologies and that may be cost prohibitive in a rental situation. Sorry for the bad news I have just seen too many people spend money and still have the problem they started with.
There are systems used in bars and restaurants that will eliminate most of by products of smoke and VOC's but they are pretty expensive which is why you only see them in nicer places here is a link to one brand http://www.purennatural.com/fs.php?center=smoke-eaters/smokeeater.php there are a few others check for some reviews on line
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Is your air making you sick
The term air conditioning refers to the cooling and dehumidification of indoor air for thermal comfort in buildings and motor vehicles. We usually call them A/C or aircon that keep us comfortable in our indoor environments. Aside from added comfort, air conditioners may cause several health hazards. In fact, the problems associated with air conditioners arise out of overuse.
Air conditioning exaggerates the effects of arthritis and neuritis. It also causes problem for those with sinus trouble, causing their heads to become blocked. In addition to these obvious reactions to an air conditioned environment there are many far more delicate reactions that can adversely affect a person's health.
Studies between those who have worked for prolonged periods in air conditioned offices and those who work outdoors have shown that the people exposed to air conditioning are more prone to colds, flu and other minor ailments. It has also been seen that the body undergoes a certain amount of stress when it is forced to go from a very hot environment into an air conditioned one; eventually this can cause problems.
It is also clear that those who spend too much time in an air conditioned situation are not able to readily cope with hot temperatures. Indeed many people have been made unwell by extreme variances between outside and inside temperatures.
Air conditioners in cars also have some problems. According to a researcher (American Automobile Safety Organisation), extended exposure to car air conditioner may cause drowsiness and not being able to concentrate on driving.
Micro-organisms have been found within the units that may cause breathing problems. Researchers at Louisiana State Medical Center identified eight different types of mold living inside of 22 of 25 cars tested.
Air conditioning units can also circulate air-borne diseases, such as Legionairre's Disease. Without proper filtration or maintenance a typical system will simply recirculate pollutants.
However, spending just a few hours a day in an air-conditioned room is not harmful for one's health. But, if air conditioners are not well maintained, they can cause some very serious problems. A dirty air filter can harbor pollen, fungi and bacteria and allow millions of microorganisms into the room, possibly triggering an asthma attack, irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat — even flu like illness.Some simple maintenance steps will help alleviate these problems. It is better to vacuum the air filter every two to four weeks and then wash it in soapy water. Be sure to let the filter dry completely before reinstalling it.
Air conditioning exaggerates the effects of arthritis and neuritis. It also causes problem for those with sinus trouble, causing their heads to become blocked. In addition to these obvious reactions to an air conditioned environment there are many far more delicate reactions that can adversely affect a person's health.
Studies between those who have worked for prolonged periods in air conditioned offices and those who work outdoors have shown that the people exposed to air conditioning are more prone to colds, flu and other minor ailments. It has also been seen that the body undergoes a certain amount of stress when it is forced to go from a very hot environment into an air conditioned one; eventually this can cause problems.
It is also clear that those who spend too much time in an air conditioned situation are not able to readily cope with hot temperatures. Indeed many people have been made unwell by extreme variances between outside and inside temperatures.
Air conditioners in cars also have some problems. According to a researcher (American Automobile Safety Organisation), extended exposure to car air conditioner may cause drowsiness and not being able to concentrate on driving.
Micro-organisms have been found within the units that may cause breathing problems. Researchers at Louisiana State Medical Center identified eight different types of mold living inside of 22 of 25 cars tested.
Air conditioning units can also circulate air-borne diseases, such as Legionairre's Disease. Without proper filtration or maintenance a typical system will simply recirculate pollutants.
However, spending just a few hours a day in an air-conditioned room is not harmful for one's health. But, if air conditioners are not well maintained, they can cause some very serious problems. A dirty air filter can harbor pollen, fungi and bacteria and allow millions of microorganisms into the room, possibly triggering an asthma attack, irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat — even flu like illness.Some simple maintenance steps will help alleviate these problems. It is better to vacuum the air filter every two to four weeks and then wash it in soapy water. Be sure to let the filter dry completely before reinstalling it.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Another successful Do It Yourselfer
Sport
Need Help Please Central AC Wires Burning
Noticing my air blowing warm I checked the outside unit. And the 3 wires that connect to my tank (I think my compressor) have burned off completely at the connection. The wires are Red, Black and Yellow. I think a lizard got caught between them so it shorted them out. So I replaced the connectors and AC started up fine. But after about 6 hour AC went out again. I check and its the same thing. Please anything else I can look for or do. really don't have the money for a repairman at this time. Thanks Below are Pictures so you can see and help a little easier.
If you use regular wire terminations they will burn up again it is just a matter of time. You need to purchase compressor wire terminations. Termlok is one brand name, there are others. Go to an HVAC supply house near you pick up terminations and rewire. After you get it wired right replace the contactor and capacitor (cheap insurance) and then clean your outdoor coil and you should be fine, good luck.
I took your advices and everything seem to work out fine. I went to United Refrigeration Inc and purchased the Termlok Connector repair kit (which came with the wires, connector pins with screws) for 34.99. I cleaned the compressor pins of any corrosion (being careful) and connected everthing checking it twice Thanks again for all your help, saved alot of money and headache with waiting on a repair. Thanks again.
Need Help Please Central AC Wires Burning
Noticing my air blowing warm I checked the outside unit. And the 3 wires that connect to my tank (I think my compressor) have burned off completely at the connection. The wires are Red, Black and Yellow. I think a lizard got caught between them so it shorted them out. So I replaced the connectors and AC started up fine. But after about 6 hour AC went out again. I check and its the same thing. Please anything else I can look for or do. really don't have the money for a repairman at this time. Thanks Below are Pictures so you can see and help a little easier.
If you use regular wire terminations they will burn up again it is just a matter of time. You need to purchase compressor wire terminations. Termlok is one brand name, there are others. Go to an HVAC supply house near you pick up terminations and rewire. After you get it wired right replace the contactor and capacitor (cheap insurance) and then clean your outdoor coil and you should be fine, good luck.
I took your advices and everything seem to work out fine. I went to United Refrigeration Inc and purchased the Termlok Connector repair kit (which came with the wires, connector pins with screws) for 34.99. I cleaned the compressor pins of any corrosion (being careful) and connected everthing checking it twice Thanks again for all your help, saved alot of money and headache with waiting on a repair. Thanks again.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Commercial Business save everyday you run your Air Conditioner
Smartcool Systems Inc. is an advanced energy conservation solutions company that specializes in energy and cost reduction technologies for commercial and retail businesses. The company's wholly owned subsidiary, Smartcool International Inc., is the owner, developer, manufacturer and worldwide distributor of the Energy Saving Module (ESM)™. This green technology reduces the electricity consumption (Kwh) and maximum demand (KW) of air conditioning and refrigeration compressors. Rather than replacing existing equipment, the ESM™ works in conjunction with existing controls in order to ensure that compressors work at maximum efficiency, while maintaining preset temperature levels and without causing over-cycling. This process, known as "Compressor Optimization" can reduce compressor runtime by more than 30% and electricity consumption and demand by up to 20%.
Rising global energy demand is resulting in significant increases in energy prices. Environmental concerns are causing both government and industry to re-examine the way they do business. With licensed distributors in nine countries and exports to many more, Smartcool provides organizations around the world with solutions to address the growing pressure to reduce energy costs, increase profits and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Over 25,000 ESM™ units have been installed throughout the world since 1986 and the ESM™ is utilized by some of the worlds leading corporations such as Tesco Supermarkets, Telstra Corporation, and Gate Gourmet, to name only a few.
Rising global energy demand is resulting in significant increases in energy prices. Environmental concerns are causing both government and industry to re-examine the way they do business. With licensed distributors in nine countries and exports to many more, Smartcool provides organizations around the world with solutions to address the growing pressure to reduce energy costs, increase profits and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Over 25,000 ESM™ units have been installed throughout the world since 1986 and the ESM™ is utilized by some of the worlds leading corporations such as Tesco Supermarkets, Telstra Corporation, and Gate Gourmet, to name only a few.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Greencore Solar Air Conditioning
Greencore Technology, Inc., formerly Aquacell Technologies, Inc. announced they had installed Greencore 10200 solar powered DC air conditioner at a metro PCS cell tower site. The Greencore system has replaced one of two 4 ton air conditioners an the cellular base station housing the electronic transmission and data equipment. Initial analysis has demonstrated that the Greencore 10200 provides comparable cooling capacity to the 4 ton unit it replaced.
"We are extremely encouraged by the initial reports we have received on the performance of our solar air conditioner at the metroPCS cell tower site," said Kevin Spence GreenCore's President and Chief Financial Officer. "The power consumption of the traditional air conditioning units used at cell site locations is quite significant, as they have not been designed to conserve energy. Replacing just one of the two air conditioners on cell tower base stations with the GreenCore solar air conditioner will provide significant reduction in grid power consumption and its related cost, in addition to providing emergency cooling capability in the event of a power outage."
The GreenCore solar powered DC air conditioner ( www.greencoreair.com) combines the most efficient photovoltaic technology with DC engineered air conditioning innovation to provide climate control that does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. The system has been designed to efficiently operate completely grid-free or as a hybrid air conditioning unit.
"We are extremely encouraged by the initial reports we have received on the performance of our solar air conditioner at the metroPCS cell tower site," said Kevin Spence GreenCore's President and Chief Financial Officer. "The power consumption of the traditional air conditioning units used at cell site locations is quite significant, as they have not been designed to conserve energy. Replacing just one of the two air conditioners on cell tower base stations with the GreenCore solar air conditioner will provide significant reduction in grid power consumption and its related cost, in addition to providing emergency cooling capability in the event of a power outage."
The GreenCore solar powered DC air conditioner ( www.greencoreair.com) combines the most efficient photovoltaic technology with DC engineered air conditioning innovation to provide climate control that does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. The system has been designed to efficiently operate completely grid-free or as a hybrid air conditioning unit.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
My Air Conditioner is noisy Help me stop it
joe1234
Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7
Trane XE1000 Condenser Noise Level
Hi.
I have a 10 year old rane XE1000 which is very noisy. It works just fine, but it has progressevly gotten noiser.
Anyone know what the db decible noise level of this unit is? I looked through my manual and it does not say.
I like to know what the db is since I am shopping for another condenser and want to compare.
Thank you,
Joe
mike n mike n is online now
Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 230
Shhhh;
I am sure somewhere in the technical data you may find the noise levels although I have not seen but maybe that is because I haven't looked. First let us deal with what you have there are many reasons why an outdoor unit might be noisy.
Bad bearings or loose components on a condensor fan, liquid refrigerant flooding back into a compressor, outdoor coil dirty causing both condensor and fan to overwork.
Put in a new filter, clean your coils and lubricate and tighten your condensor fan motor and blade (if it can be lubricated).
Restart the system and see if it is any quieter and know if you do purchase new equipment anything you get is going to be alot quieter than what you have and the more you spend on efficiency the more the manufacturers are willing to do concerning noise reduction and warranty improvement.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7
Trane XE1000 Condenser Noise Level
Hi.
I have a 10 year old rane XE1000 which is very noisy. It works just fine, but it has progressevly gotten noiser.
Anyone know what the db decible noise level of this unit is? I looked through my manual and it does not say.
I like to know what the db is since I am shopping for another condenser and want to compare.
Thank you,
Joe
mike n mike n is online now
Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 230
Shhhh;
I am sure somewhere in the technical data you may find the noise levels although I have not seen but maybe that is because I haven't looked. First let us deal with what you have there are many reasons why an outdoor unit might be noisy.
Bad bearings or loose components on a condensor fan, liquid refrigerant flooding back into a compressor, outdoor coil dirty causing both condensor and fan to overwork.
Put in a new filter, clean your coils and lubricate and tighten your condensor fan motor and blade (if it can be lubricated).
Restart the system and see if it is any quieter and know if you do purchase new equipment anything you get is going to be alot quieter than what you have and the more you spend on efficiency the more the manufacturers are willing to do concerning noise reduction and warranty improvement.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Hmeowners Cries for Help
I have a 3-year-old home with a walkout basement. The air conditioner is on the master bedroom side of the house and mounted up on a rack that holds it off the ground and level with the first floor. When the air conditioner kicks on, it makes a very loud sound. It wakes me up every time it kicks on and keeps me awake while it is running. Is there anyway to mask/reduce the noise so it isn't so noticeable in the bedroom.
The location of the outdoor unit does not concern me as much as the noise if we are talking about normal start up noise it may be that you have a lower quality unit. If we are talking about noise that sounds like metal on metal (clanking) then we need to think about a damaged compressor or refrigerant floodback on start up.
Look at the system airflow first because that is the easiest and cheapest to remedy. Is the filter clean or are there any other airflow obstructions.
I have a 3-year-old home with a walkout basement. The air conditioner is on the master bedroom side of the house and mounted up on a rack that holds it off the ground and level with the first floor. When the air conditioner kicks on, it makes a very loud sound. It wakes me up every time it kicks on and keeps me awake while it is running. Is there anyway to mask/reduce the noise so it isn't so noticeable in the bedroom.
The location of the outdoor unit does not concern me as much as the noise if we are talking about normal start up noise it may be that you have a lower quality unit. If we are talking about noise that sounds like metal on metal (clanking) then we need to think about a damaged compressor or refrigerant floodback on start up.
Look at the system airflow first because that is the easiest and cheapest to remedy. Is the filter clean or are there any other airflow obstructions.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Air Conditioning more complex everyday
Air conditioning is a pretty simple process right, well the latest problem the engineers are trying to solve is that since the government has mandated that system efficiencies have to be increased how do we achieve that.
The first path was to make the coils larger, simple right. Of course that creates another problem, that's right how we gonna get that big unit in the small space where the old one was.
So to solve that problem they are developing new coils that expand the surface area for heat transfer integral to the tubing so they can start reducing the overall size of the coils.
I think that is great, the only thing I worry about is if they can't keep the coils from leaking for 5 years now because the copper is so thin how much tougher is it going to be to repair a leak now. I guess they don't want us to fix them just sell 'em a new one.
The first path was to make the coils larger, simple right. Of course that creates another problem, that's right how we gonna get that big unit in the small space where the old one was.
So to solve that problem they are developing new coils that expand the surface area for heat transfer integral to the tubing so they can start reducing the overall size of the coils.
I think that is great, the only thing I worry about is if they can't keep the coils from leaking for 5 years now because the copper is so thin how much tougher is it going to be to repair a leak now. I guess they don't want us to fix them just sell 'em a new one.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Striving for Super Efficiency
Striving for Super Efficiency
The three basic components used in the manufacture of microchannel coils are parallel flow aluminum tubes (purple in illustration above), enhanced aluminum fins (red), and header manifolds (green). These components are combined by alternating tube and fin sections — a layer of tube atop a layer of fin atop a layer of tube, etc. This combination of fins and tubes is captured at both ends by the header manifolds. (Illustration courtesy of Johnson Controls.)
Manufacturers Continue to Tweak, Improve Upon Design of Condenser Coils
Long ago, the industry determined that the combination of copper tubing and aluminum fins provided the most efficient transfer of thermal heat in condenser coils.
Manufacturers of residential units are not necessarily on that same page — or that line of thinking — today.
Most manufacturers, if not all, are revising, have revised, or continue to revise their outdoor coil construction. One of the main objectives, of course, is to increase heat transfer efficiency, as energy efficiency is high on every homeowner’s wish list.
In the end, each manufacturer believes it has engineered and/or perfected — at least up to now — the most-efficient coil design. Some, like Goodman Manufacturing, have made changes as a direct result of the efficiency offered from R-410A refrigerant.
The NEWS asked major manufacturers to discuss the residential condenser coil changes that are occurring in the marketplace. Though not all responded, those that did provided great detail as to what’s happening with the component.
MICROCHANNEL TECHNOLOGY
Many years ago York engineers were concerned about 3 major issues concerning the industry.
“The first was efficiency, whether it was a 12 SEER or 13 SEER minimum,” said Andy Armstrong, director of marketing, Johnson Controls-Unitary Products. “We were confident that condenser coils would be challenged with new efficiencies.”
The second issue to address, he explained, was size. “The industry’s answer to efficiency has always been tied to bigger heat transfer surfaces,” he said. “Both application size restrictions and raw material usage made bigger and bigger coils an untenable long-term solution.”
The last issue involved sustainability. “We needed to make products that used less materials to begin with, and then, after use were easier to recycle and reuse,” said Armstrong.
In the case of Johnson Controls and York, they turned to microchannel technology, technology that has been used in the automotive industry for some time now. According to believers in the design, heat transfer efficiency and improvement in reliability are achieved through a higher level of corrosion resistance. (Johnson Controls uses the name MicroChannel.)
“Today, Johnson Controls believes that MicroChannel technology is the solution to all three challenges,” said Armstrong.
“With better heat transfer efficiency, MicroChannel allows us to economically reach the efficiency levels demanded by our customers. Not only do we reach higher efficiency levels, we reach them in a much smaller footprint. And from a sustainability standpoint, MicroChannel allows us to use far fewer raw materials.”
STATING ITS CASE
Enlarge this picture
Goodman said its unit with SmartCoil™ and R-410A refrigerant use 25 percent less refrigerant and the overall unit requires 15 percent less volume.
Johnson Controls is so convinced it has the answer, a year ago it produced a white paper on the subject, titled “Microchannel Technology: Benefits of Microchannel Technology in HVAC Applications.” (For the full report, go to www.us-ac.com.)
In the white paper, it states three basic components are used in the manufacture of microchannel coils: parallel-flow aluminum tubes, enhanced aluminum fins, and header manifolds.
According to the Johnson Controls’ report, these components are combined by alternating tube and fin sections — a layer of tube atop a layer of fin atop a layer of tube, and so forth. It said this combination of fins and tubes is captured at both ends by the header manifolds.
“Separator plates are located within the header manifolds to segment the coil assembly into two distinct sections: a desuperheating section, where the refrigerant gas transitions from gas to liquid, and a subcooling section, where the liquid refrigerant is further cooled below its saturated temperature,” it states in the report.
The manufacturer’s report also points out several advantages of microchannel technology when compared to traditional copper tube and aluminum fin designs. Per Johnson Controls, that list includes improved heat transfer properties, smaller size and weight, improved durability and serviceability, improved corrosion protection, and reduced refrigerant charge up to 50 percent. The report goes on to state its case and proof for each advantage it listed.
“Looking towards the future, January 2010, one of the current refrigerant options, R-22, can no longer be used in the manufacture of HVAC equipment and will be entirely replaced with R-410A, a more environmentally friendly refrigerant,” it states in the white paper. “Microchannel addresses all of the current and foreseeable future challenges in the HVAC industry.”
Armstrong was just as definitive. “Although R-410A refrigerant is better for the environment than R-22, no one would argue that the less we use any greenhouse gas, the better,” he said.
“With our current MicroChannel 5-ton 13 SEER product, we use one-half as much refrigerant as our closest competitor and one-third as much as another. When considering energy and time used in recovery, this statistic alone has dramatic effects for this industry and our environment.”
He added, “When the Johnson Controls-built unit has completed its useful life, an all-aluminum coil is far easier to recycle than its tube-and-fin counterparts. With an eye on the future, Johnson Controls engineers have taken a smaller box to a higher level.”
The three basic components used in the manufacture of microchannel coils are parallel flow aluminum tubes (purple in illustration above), enhanced aluminum fins (red), and header manifolds (green). These components are combined by alternating tube and fin sections — a layer of tube atop a layer of fin atop a layer of tube, etc. This combination of fins and tubes is captured at both ends by the header manifolds. (Illustration courtesy of Johnson Controls.)
Manufacturers Continue to Tweak, Improve Upon Design of Condenser Coils
Long ago, the industry determined that the combination of copper tubing and aluminum fins provided the most efficient transfer of thermal heat in condenser coils.
Manufacturers of residential units are not necessarily on that same page — or that line of thinking — today.
Most manufacturers, if not all, are revising, have revised, or continue to revise their outdoor coil construction. One of the main objectives, of course, is to increase heat transfer efficiency, as energy efficiency is high on every homeowner’s wish list.
In the end, each manufacturer believes it has engineered and/or perfected — at least up to now — the most-efficient coil design. Some, like Goodman Manufacturing, have made changes as a direct result of the efficiency offered from R-410A refrigerant.
The NEWS asked major manufacturers to discuss the residential condenser coil changes that are occurring in the marketplace. Though not all responded, those that did provided great detail as to what’s happening with the component.
MICROCHANNEL TECHNOLOGY
Many years ago York engineers were concerned about 3 major issues concerning the industry.
“The first was efficiency, whether it was a 12 SEER or 13 SEER minimum,” said Andy Armstrong, director of marketing, Johnson Controls-Unitary Products. “We were confident that condenser coils would be challenged with new efficiencies.”
The second issue to address, he explained, was size. “The industry’s answer to efficiency has always been tied to bigger heat transfer surfaces,” he said. “Both application size restrictions and raw material usage made bigger and bigger coils an untenable long-term solution.”
The last issue involved sustainability. “We needed to make products that used less materials to begin with, and then, after use were easier to recycle and reuse,” said Armstrong.
In the case of Johnson Controls and York, they turned to microchannel technology, technology that has been used in the automotive industry for some time now. According to believers in the design, heat transfer efficiency and improvement in reliability are achieved through a higher level of corrosion resistance. (Johnson Controls uses the name MicroChannel.)
“Today, Johnson Controls believes that MicroChannel technology is the solution to all three challenges,” said Armstrong.
“With better heat transfer efficiency, MicroChannel allows us to economically reach the efficiency levels demanded by our customers. Not only do we reach higher efficiency levels, we reach them in a much smaller footprint. And from a sustainability standpoint, MicroChannel allows us to use far fewer raw materials.”
STATING ITS CASE
Enlarge this picture
Goodman said its unit with SmartCoil™ and R-410A refrigerant use 25 percent less refrigerant and the overall unit requires 15 percent less volume.
Johnson Controls is so convinced it has the answer, a year ago it produced a white paper on the subject, titled “Microchannel Technology: Benefits of Microchannel Technology in HVAC Applications.” (For the full report, go to www.us-ac.com.)
In the white paper, it states three basic components are used in the manufacture of microchannel coils: parallel-flow aluminum tubes, enhanced aluminum fins, and header manifolds.
According to the Johnson Controls’ report, these components are combined by alternating tube and fin sections — a layer of tube atop a layer of fin atop a layer of tube, and so forth. It said this combination of fins and tubes is captured at both ends by the header manifolds.
“Separator plates are located within the header manifolds to segment the coil assembly into two distinct sections: a desuperheating section, where the refrigerant gas transitions from gas to liquid, and a subcooling section, where the liquid refrigerant is further cooled below its saturated temperature,” it states in the report.
The manufacturer’s report also points out several advantages of microchannel technology when compared to traditional copper tube and aluminum fin designs. Per Johnson Controls, that list includes improved heat transfer properties, smaller size and weight, improved durability and serviceability, improved corrosion protection, and reduced refrigerant charge up to 50 percent. The report goes on to state its case and proof for each advantage it listed.
“Looking towards the future, January 2010, one of the current refrigerant options, R-22, can no longer be used in the manufacture of HVAC equipment and will be entirely replaced with R-410A, a more environmentally friendly refrigerant,” it states in the white paper. “Microchannel addresses all of the current and foreseeable future challenges in the HVAC industry.”
Armstrong was just as definitive. “Although R-410A refrigerant is better for the environment than R-22, no one would argue that the less we use any greenhouse gas, the better,” he said.
“With our current MicroChannel 5-ton 13 SEER product, we use one-half as much refrigerant as our closest competitor and one-third as much as another. When considering energy and time used in recovery, this statistic alone has dramatic effects for this industry and our environment.”
He added, “When the Johnson Controls-built unit has completed its useful life, an all-aluminum coil is far easier to recycle than its tube-and-fin counterparts. With an eye on the future, Johnson Controls engineers have taken a smaller box to a higher level.”
Saturday, September 6, 2008
In the South Air Conditioning is Art
Air conditioning artist named
Earlier this year, in the cold of winter, the Air Conditioning Tribute Committee announced a call for entries for artists to pay tribute to the most important of summer-time inventions — the air conditioner.
The response was positive, and the committee had a tough choice ahead, narrowing the submissions to just one winner.
But the committee members labored (in the cool air of the meeting room) and decided the entry that best captured the appreciation of air conditioning was the one submitted by Augusta, Ga., artist Thomas Lyles. The committee will meet with Lyles this month to complete the details.
Lyles, a native of Gadsden, presented a blueprint of his concept. His work, when complete, will showcase the winning poetry entry along with multiple mosaic scenes against the backdrop of industrial ductwork.
The artwork will include sound, working air vents and a video screen. People will be able to hear, see and feel the message of his work.
The next phase of the Air Conditioning Tribute Project involves area schoolchildren and the public. Friday, the committee announced an essay/poetry contest. The submissions will be used in conjunction with the exhibit next summer, and the winning students will receive cash prizes for themselves and their classrooms.
The student categories are elementary, middle and high school. The student must attend school in Etowah County. Entries should be no more than 400 words and capture the South’s thankfulness for the invention of the air conditioner.
In the adult category, entries by anyone with an Etowah County connection will be accepted.
The deadline for submissions is Nov. 23.
Categories and prizes:
• Elementary school — $100 for the winning student, $100 for classroom
• Middle school — $200 for the winning student, $200 for classroom
• High school — $200 for the winning student, $200 for classroom
• Adult (18 and older) — $500 for the winning adult
Complete details for the contest are available at the Hardin Center in downtown Gadsden and online at www.culturalarts.org.
Earlier this year, in the cold of winter, the Air Conditioning Tribute Committee announced a call for entries for artists to pay tribute to the most important of summer-time inventions — the air conditioner.
The response was positive, and the committee had a tough choice ahead, narrowing the submissions to just one winner.
But the committee members labored (in the cool air of the meeting room) and decided the entry that best captured the appreciation of air conditioning was the one submitted by Augusta, Ga., artist Thomas Lyles. The committee will meet with Lyles this month to complete the details.
Lyles, a native of Gadsden, presented a blueprint of his concept. His work, when complete, will showcase the winning poetry entry along with multiple mosaic scenes against the backdrop of industrial ductwork.
The artwork will include sound, working air vents and a video screen. People will be able to hear, see and feel the message of his work.
The next phase of the Air Conditioning Tribute Project involves area schoolchildren and the public. Friday, the committee announced an essay/poetry contest. The submissions will be used in conjunction with the exhibit next summer, and the winning students will receive cash prizes for themselves and their classrooms.
The student categories are elementary, middle and high school. The student must attend school in Etowah County. Entries should be no more than 400 words and capture the South’s thankfulness for the invention of the air conditioner.
In the adult category, entries by anyone with an Etowah County connection will be accepted.
The deadline for submissions is Nov. 23.
Categories and prizes:
• Elementary school — $100 for the winning student, $100 for classroom
• Middle school — $200 for the winning student, $200 for classroom
• High school — $200 for the winning student, $200 for classroom
• Adult (18 and older) — $500 for the winning adult
Complete details for the contest are available at the Hardin Center in downtown Gadsden and online at www.culturalarts.org.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Air conditioning could 'heat up' London
Air conditioning could 'heat up' London
The large scale installation of air conditioning to combat rising temperatures in London could make conditions in the capital even hotter – according to a draft report on climate change issued by the mayor’s office.
The draft London climate change adaptation strategy issued by Mayor of London Boris Johnson states: “In order to avoid unsustainable adaptation, when considering possible adaptation options, the wider implications of the action should be assessed over the lifetime of the action.
“For example, air conditioning is not considered to be a sustainable adaptation action except in extreme circumstances (because of the large energy demands),”
A particular concern raised by the report is the effect on the ‘urban heat island’ within London by waste heat from air conditioning systems.
This is where heat generated in the city by traffic, air conditioning systems and other energy uses adds to the heat being radiated from the buildings and roads, further raising temperatures in the area and meaning there is little let up during a heat wave.
The report says the contribution to the urban heat island by human activity – known as anthropogenic - is thought to be “minimal across” the whole of London at the moment, but significant in high density areas.
The report said: “In Westminster and the City of London modelling suggests that the anthropogenic contribution, calculated using the total energy demand for buildings and traffic, may be a significant contribution to urban heating.
“If the use of air conditioning were to become widespread, the area affected by a significant anthropogenic contribution would increase.”
The effect of an urban heat island cam lead to an increase in mortality rates as people are less able to recover from the hot temperatures they experience during the day as the heat does not decrease significantly at night.
"It can also increase the demand for cooling and upset sleep patterns, while also putting pressure on water supplies and damaging temperature sensitive infrastructure. The increased reliance on electric cooling can also lead to blackouts.
The report said London had to look carefully at measures to limit the use of air conditioning and continue introducing further energy efficiency approaches.
Other issues highlighted included the threat of rising sea levels, wetter weather, a higher chance of heat waves and increased risks of flooding. Measures under consideration include better urban design and improved flood defences.
Mr Johnson said: ‘We need to concentrate efforts to slash carbon emissions and become more energy efficient in order to prevent dangerous climate change. But we also need to prepare for how our climate is expected to change in the future.”
The large scale installation of air conditioning to combat rising temperatures in London could make conditions in the capital even hotter – according to a draft report on climate change issued by the mayor’s office.
The draft London climate change adaptation strategy issued by Mayor of London Boris Johnson states: “In order to avoid unsustainable adaptation, when considering possible adaptation options, the wider implications of the action should be assessed over the lifetime of the action.
“For example, air conditioning is not considered to be a sustainable adaptation action except in extreme circumstances (because of the large energy demands),”
A particular concern raised by the report is the effect on the ‘urban heat island’ within London by waste heat from air conditioning systems.
This is where heat generated in the city by traffic, air conditioning systems and other energy uses adds to the heat being radiated from the buildings and roads, further raising temperatures in the area and meaning there is little let up during a heat wave.
The report says the contribution to the urban heat island by human activity – known as anthropogenic - is thought to be “minimal across” the whole of London at the moment, but significant in high density areas.
The report said: “In Westminster and the City of London modelling suggests that the anthropogenic contribution, calculated using the total energy demand for buildings and traffic, may be a significant contribution to urban heating.
“If the use of air conditioning were to become widespread, the area affected by a significant anthropogenic contribution would increase.”
The effect of an urban heat island cam lead to an increase in mortality rates as people are less able to recover from the hot temperatures they experience during the day as the heat does not decrease significantly at night.
"It can also increase the demand for cooling and upset sleep patterns, while also putting pressure on water supplies and damaging temperature sensitive infrastructure. The increased reliance on electric cooling can also lead to blackouts.
The report said London had to look carefully at measures to limit the use of air conditioning and continue introducing further energy efficiency approaches.
Other issues highlighted included the threat of rising sea levels, wetter weather, a higher chance of heat waves and increased risks of flooding. Measures under consideration include better urban design and improved flood defences.
Mr Johnson said: ‘We need to concentrate efforts to slash carbon emissions and become more energy efficient in order to prevent dangerous climate change. But we also need to prepare for how our climate is expected to change in the future.”
Monday, September 1, 2008
What is Cooling My Office and is it Efficient
Energy Savings Center - HVAC: Packaged Rooftop Air Conditioners
Approximately half of all U.S. commercial floor space is cooled by self-contained, packaged air-conditioning units, most of which sit on rooftops (Figure 1). Also called unitary air conditioners or simply "packaged units," these mass-produced machines include cooling equipment, air-handling fans, and sometimes gas or electric heating equipment. Rooftop units (RTUs) are available in sizes ranging from 1 ton to more than 100 tons of air-conditioning capacity (1 ton of cooling capacity will remove 12,000 Btu of heat per hour).
The three main power consumers in a rooftop unit—compressor, supply fan, and condenser fan—account for approximately 83, 10, and 7 percent, respectively, of the RTU's peak power (Figure 2). However, because supply fans are often used to provide ventilation even when the compressor is not in use, the compressor’s annual energy usage can be as low as 55 percent of the total energy use, with fans accounting for the remaining 45 percent.
What Are the Options?
Efficiency. RTUs of the same capacity are usually available with a wide range of efficiencies. The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) defines efficiency in several different ways:
• EER (energy-efficiency ratio): The ratio of the rate of cooling (Btu per hour, or Btu/h) to the power input (watts) at full-load conditions. The power input includes all inputs to compressors, fan motors, and controls.
•SEER (seasonal energy-efficiency ratio): A seasonally adjusted rating based on representative residential loads. SEER applies only to RTUs with a cooling capacity of less than 65,000 Btu per hour.
• IPLV (integrated part-load value): A seasonal efficiency rating method based on representative annual commercial loads. It applies to RTUs with cooling capacities equal to or greater than 65,000 Btu per hour.
EER is the rating of choice when determining which RTU will operate most efficiently during full-load conditions. SEER and IPLV are better indicators of which RTU will use less energy over the course of an entire cooling season.
The cooling efficiencies of RTUs under 250,000 Btu per hour are certified according to standards published by ARI. (ARI standards also apply to RTUs of 250,000 Btu per hour and over, but ARI has no certification program and does not publish efficiency data for this size range.)
Federal minimum standards. The current U.S. federal standard, last updated in 1992, requires manufacturers to produce equipment at a minimum efficiency of 8.9 EER and 8.3 IPLV for units with a capacity of at least 65 but less than 135,000 Btu/h and at a minimum efficiency of 8.5 EER and 7.5 IPLV for units of at least 135,000 Btu/h but less than 240,000 Btu/h.
Highest available efficiency. Manufacturers of RTUs continue to offer higher-efficiency units. As of 2005, the highest-efficiency RTUs on the market in sizes ranging from 65,000 to 135,000Btu/h have EER values as high as 13.5; units from 135,000 to 240,000 Btu/h have EER values as high as 13.1.
Compressor. Most RTUs use efficient reciprocating compressors, with several control options to consider. RTUs normally handle part-load conditions with simple on/off switches, operated by programmable timers, to stage compressors. As an alternative to completely shutting off the compressor, some units offer multiple valve-operated cylinders within the compressor that can be shut off individually. Effectively, shutting off cylinders creates a smaller cooling unit that is nevertheless operating with the original heat exchangers, and the result is a more efficient RTU. Another option is hot-gas bypass, which allows the compressor to provide reduced cooling at low loads. However, this option reduces capacity without reducing energy consumption.
Condenser. Nearly all RTUs under 20 tons have air-cooled condensers, which are about 20 percent less efficient than the evaporative condensers used in larger and more efficient models. Because evaporating water can remove more condenser heat than a stream of ambient air, lower condenser temperature and pressure are attained, and the compressors can therefore run at lower power. For smaller units, however (below about 20 tons), the energy required for pumping and spraying the water can outweigh the compressor energy savings gained by evaporative cooling. Other potential drawbacks are that the savings from water cooling decrease in humid climates and that evaporative condensers require more maintenance than air-cooled condensers.
Fans. Fans are used to move air across both the condenser and the evaporator. The airflow across the latter is also the supply air for the building. Although fan power use is a small fraction of compressor power use, fans can account for approximately 45 percent of the annual energy use because the fan operates for many more hours than the compressor. Most manufacturers also offer units with high-efficiency fans that increase both EER and IPLV as well as variable-speed fans that improve IPLV.
Economizers. An economizer is an additional dampered cabinet opening that draws air from the outside when outside air is cooler than the temperature inside the building, thereby providing "free" cooling. Many codes, standards, and utility programs already require the use of economizers, and most RTUs have this option. Economizers can reduce energy use by anywhere from 15 to 80 percent depending on conditions, and they are usually cost-effective given their minimal additional cost.
Controls. Programmable digital controls offer flexible settings that can be tailored to the application and are increasingly available as standard equipment. A good example is a seven-day time clock that consistently operates the RTU according to occupancy schedules and nighttime temperature setbacks. Digital controls are also easily tied into a central energy management system for monitoring and control as part of an overall building-control strategy. In addition, many new RTUs come ready to accept inputs from carbon dioxide sensors. These can be used to implement demand-controlled ventilation, an energy-saving strategy that adjusts building ventilation as occupancy changes rather than assuming that the building is always fully occupied.
Cooling coils. Smaller RTUs normally use direct-expansion evaporator coils, in which air is blown over a fin-and-tube heat exchanger that carries the evaporating refrigerant. Larger RTUs can use either direct-expansion or chilled-water coils. In the latter, the cooling water is piped to the RTU from a remote water-chilling unit. A key variable in coil design is the face area, which determines the air velocity over the coil. Most RTUs keep this face velocity below 600 feet per minute to prevent condensed water in the airstream from blowing off the coil and into the duct system.
How to Make the Best Choice
Select the right size. An undersized unit won't be able to provide sufficient cooling, but if a unit is oversized (the more frequent occurrence), it not only costs more but will lead to higher costs for associated ductwork and other auxiliaries. Operating costs increase too, because oversized equipment spends more time at less-efficient part-load conditions. Specifiers and designers commonly overestimate loads because they fail to take into account the reduced air-conditioning loads that result from energy-efficient lighting, and they overestimate plug loads by using nameplate ratings of office equipment in the building.
It is also critical to use diversity factors when calculating internal loads. For example, consider a school: Peak load for the classrooms occurs when the classrooms are full, peak for the auditorium happens during an assembly, and peak for a gym occurs during a basketball game with the stands full. However, peak load for the school is not the sum of these loads, because they do not all occur simultaneously.
Consider high-efficiency levels recommended by CEE. The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) offers a program known as the High-Efficiency Commercial Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps Initiative. The initiative's goal is to encourage the use of high-efficiency unitary (single-packaged and split-system) central air-conditioning and heat pump equipment in commercial buildings. CEE currently suggests two efficiency levels for commercial equipment that are approximately 22 percent greater than the current federal standard. The CEE specification is promoted by participating utilities through education and rebate programs.
Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that establishes an efficiency specification above the federal standards. Equipment that meets these specifications is awarded the Energy Star label, which helps consumers and others readily identify high-efficiency products. The current efficiency level for Energy Star was set in 2002 and is the same as that of the CEE.
Identify high-efficiency models. ARI is the main source of information about energy-efficient RTU products. The organization maintains directories (available in both print and electronic formats) on its web site that include products from all ARI member-manufacturers.
CEE also maintains a database of equipment efficiency data. that is easy to use.
Evaluate high-efficiency models by performing a cost-effectiveness calculation. The cost-effectiveness of a high-efficiency RTU depends on several factors, including cooling loads, operating hours, and the local cost of electricity. Use the calculation tool for preliminary screening of high-efficiency options. For more accurate predictions of performance, an analysis that accounts for local climate conditions and part-load equipment performance is necessary.
In addition, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory offers a free life-cycle cost estimation tool that can be used to compare high-efficiency units with standard ones. This tool is more detailed and has the added benefit of displaying results graphically.
Pay attention to design, commissioning, and maintenance. No matter what equipment you choose, it's also important to make sure that the overall system is designed to be efficient (see Figure 3), that it's commissioned to operate as planned, and that it is properly maintained. A low-static-pressure duct system will reduce control problems, noise, and the fan power required. Comprehensive testing, adjusting, and balancing of the installed unit and its controls will maximize installed efficiency and comfort. Conducting regular tune-ups, correcting refrigerant charge, cleaning and adjusting the system to correct airflow and improve heat transfer, and repairing major duct leaks can yield surprising energy savings at low cost. CEE offers installation guidelines for commercial air-conditioning equipment.
What's on the Horizon?
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandates that whenever ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers) updates the voluntary standard 90.1, which applies to commercial units, the DOE must update the federal standards within two years. ASHRAE approved a new version of 90.1 in 1999, thus initiating this process. Federal standards were passed for water-cooled and other equipment in 2001; however, the standards for commercial air-cooled equipment have not been updated yet. Proposed levels can be found at the DOE's web site. A final rule on the new standard is expected by March 2006, with the standards taking effect on January 1, 2010.
Approximately half of all U.S. commercial floor space is cooled by self-contained, packaged air-conditioning units, most of which sit on rooftops (Figure 1). Also called unitary air conditioners or simply "packaged units," these mass-produced machines include cooling equipment, air-handling fans, and sometimes gas or electric heating equipment. Rooftop units (RTUs) are available in sizes ranging from 1 ton to more than 100 tons of air-conditioning capacity (1 ton of cooling capacity will remove 12,000 Btu of heat per hour).
The three main power consumers in a rooftop unit—compressor, supply fan, and condenser fan—account for approximately 83, 10, and 7 percent, respectively, of the RTU's peak power (Figure 2). However, because supply fans are often used to provide ventilation even when the compressor is not in use, the compressor’s annual energy usage can be as low as 55 percent of the total energy use, with fans accounting for the remaining 45 percent.
What Are the Options?
Efficiency. RTUs of the same capacity are usually available with a wide range of efficiencies. The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) defines efficiency in several different ways:
• EER (energy-efficiency ratio): The ratio of the rate of cooling (Btu per hour, or Btu/h) to the power input (watts) at full-load conditions. The power input includes all inputs to compressors, fan motors, and controls.
•SEER (seasonal energy-efficiency ratio): A seasonally adjusted rating based on representative residential loads. SEER applies only to RTUs with a cooling capacity of less than 65,000 Btu per hour.
• IPLV (integrated part-load value): A seasonal efficiency rating method based on representative annual commercial loads. It applies to RTUs with cooling capacities equal to or greater than 65,000 Btu per hour.
EER is the rating of choice when determining which RTU will operate most efficiently during full-load conditions. SEER and IPLV are better indicators of which RTU will use less energy over the course of an entire cooling season.
The cooling efficiencies of RTUs under 250,000 Btu per hour are certified according to standards published by ARI. (ARI standards also apply to RTUs of 250,000 Btu per hour and over, but ARI has no certification program and does not publish efficiency data for this size range.)
Federal minimum standards. The current U.S. federal standard, last updated in 1992, requires manufacturers to produce equipment at a minimum efficiency of 8.9 EER and 8.3 IPLV for units with a capacity of at least 65 but less than 135,000 Btu/h and at a minimum efficiency of 8.5 EER and 7.5 IPLV for units of at least 135,000 Btu/h but less than 240,000 Btu/h.
Highest available efficiency. Manufacturers of RTUs continue to offer higher-efficiency units. As of 2005, the highest-efficiency RTUs on the market in sizes ranging from 65,000 to 135,000Btu/h have EER values as high as 13.5; units from 135,000 to 240,000 Btu/h have EER values as high as 13.1.
Compressor. Most RTUs use efficient reciprocating compressors, with several control options to consider. RTUs normally handle part-load conditions with simple on/off switches, operated by programmable timers, to stage compressors. As an alternative to completely shutting off the compressor, some units offer multiple valve-operated cylinders within the compressor that can be shut off individually. Effectively, shutting off cylinders creates a smaller cooling unit that is nevertheless operating with the original heat exchangers, and the result is a more efficient RTU. Another option is hot-gas bypass, which allows the compressor to provide reduced cooling at low loads. However, this option reduces capacity without reducing energy consumption.
Condenser. Nearly all RTUs under 20 tons have air-cooled condensers, which are about 20 percent less efficient than the evaporative condensers used in larger and more efficient models. Because evaporating water can remove more condenser heat than a stream of ambient air, lower condenser temperature and pressure are attained, and the compressors can therefore run at lower power. For smaller units, however (below about 20 tons), the energy required for pumping and spraying the water can outweigh the compressor energy savings gained by evaporative cooling. Other potential drawbacks are that the savings from water cooling decrease in humid climates and that evaporative condensers require more maintenance than air-cooled condensers.
Fans. Fans are used to move air across both the condenser and the evaporator. The airflow across the latter is also the supply air for the building. Although fan power use is a small fraction of compressor power use, fans can account for approximately 45 percent of the annual energy use because the fan operates for many more hours than the compressor. Most manufacturers also offer units with high-efficiency fans that increase both EER and IPLV as well as variable-speed fans that improve IPLV.
Economizers. An economizer is an additional dampered cabinet opening that draws air from the outside when outside air is cooler than the temperature inside the building, thereby providing "free" cooling. Many codes, standards, and utility programs already require the use of economizers, and most RTUs have this option. Economizers can reduce energy use by anywhere from 15 to 80 percent depending on conditions, and they are usually cost-effective given their minimal additional cost.
Controls. Programmable digital controls offer flexible settings that can be tailored to the application and are increasingly available as standard equipment. A good example is a seven-day time clock that consistently operates the RTU according to occupancy schedules and nighttime temperature setbacks. Digital controls are also easily tied into a central energy management system for monitoring and control as part of an overall building-control strategy. In addition, many new RTUs come ready to accept inputs from carbon dioxide sensors. These can be used to implement demand-controlled ventilation, an energy-saving strategy that adjusts building ventilation as occupancy changes rather than assuming that the building is always fully occupied.
Cooling coils. Smaller RTUs normally use direct-expansion evaporator coils, in which air is blown over a fin-and-tube heat exchanger that carries the evaporating refrigerant. Larger RTUs can use either direct-expansion or chilled-water coils. In the latter, the cooling water is piped to the RTU from a remote water-chilling unit. A key variable in coil design is the face area, which determines the air velocity over the coil. Most RTUs keep this face velocity below 600 feet per minute to prevent condensed water in the airstream from blowing off the coil and into the duct system.
How to Make the Best Choice
Select the right size. An undersized unit won't be able to provide sufficient cooling, but if a unit is oversized (the more frequent occurrence), it not only costs more but will lead to higher costs for associated ductwork and other auxiliaries. Operating costs increase too, because oversized equipment spends more time at less-efficient part-load conditions. Specifiers and designers commonly overestimate loads because they fail to take into account the reduced air-conditioning loads that result from energy-efficient lighting, and they overestimate plug loads by using nameplate ratings of office equipment in the building.
It is also critical to use diversity factors when calculating internal loads. For example, consider a school: Peak load for the classrooms occurs when the classrooms are full, peak for the auditorium happens during an assembly, and peak for a gym occurs during a basketball game with the stands full. However, peak load for the school is not the sum of these loads, because they do not all occur simultaneously.
Consider high-efficiency levels recommended by CEE. The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) offers a program known as the High-Efficiency Commercial Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps Initiative. The initiative's goal is to encourage the use of high-efficiency unitary (single-packaged and split-system) central air-conditioning and heat pump equipment in commercial buildings. CEE currently suggests two efficiency levels for commercial equipment that are approximately 22 percent greater than the current federal standard. The CEE specification is promoted by participating utilities through education and rebate programs.
Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that establishes an efficiency specification above the federal standards. Equipment that meets these specifications is awarded the Energy Star label, which helps consumers and others readily identify high-efficiency products. The current efficiency level for Energy Star was set in 2002 and is the same as that of the CEE.
Identify high-efficiency models. ARI is the main source of information about energy-efficient RTU products. The organization maintains directories (available in both print and electronic formats) on its web site that include products from all ARI member-manufacturers.
CEE also maintains a database of equipment efficiency data. that is easy to use.
Evaluate high-efficiency models by performing a cost-effectiveness calculation. The cost-effectiveness of a high-efficiency RTU depends on several factors, including cooling loads, operating hours, and the local cost of electricity. Use the calculation tool for preliminary screening of high-efficiency options. For more accurate predictions of performance, an analysis that accounts for local climate conditions and part-load equipment performance is necessary.
In addition, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory offers a free life-cycle cost estimation tool that can be used to compare high-efficiency units with standard ones. This tool is more detailed and has the added benefit of displaying results graphically.
Pay attention to design, commissioning, and maintenance. No matter what equipment you choose, it's also important to make sure that the overall system is designed to be efficient (see Figure 3), that it's commissioned to operate as planned, and that it is properly maintained. A low-static-pressure duct system will reduce control problems, noise, and the fan power required. Comprehensive testing, adjusting, and balancing of the installed unit and its controls will maximize installed efficiency and comfort. Conducting regular tune-ups, correcting refrigerant charge, cleaning and adjusting the system to correct airflow and improve heat transfer, and repairing major duct leaks can yield surprising energy savings at low cost. CEE offers installation guidelines for commercial air-conditioning equipment.
What's on the Horizon?
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandates that whenever ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers) updates the voluntary standard 90.1, which applies to commercial units, the DOE must update the federal standards within two years. ASHRAE approved a new version of 90.1 in 1999, thus initiating this process. Federal standards were passed for water-cooled and other equipment in 2001; however, the standards for commercial air-cooled equipment have not been updated yet. Proposed levels can be found at the DOE's web site. A final rule on the new standard is expected by March 2006, with the standards taking effect on January 1, 2010.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Everybody is a Critic
Air conditioning tips missed mark
In response to your front page article dated Aug. 4th, there were errors on "Help your house beat the heat" tips.
It read that insufficient air flow from a central air conditioning system can cause freezing of the condenser coil. Wrong. Poor air flow may cause freezing of the evaporating coil which is affixed to the furnace.
Secondly, the recommendation of monthly filter changes is typically unnecessary. A periodic inspection of clogging should necessitate the purpose of replacement.
A better tip should have been to go outside and inspect your air conditioning unit. While operating, the larger insulated pipe from your home should be sweaty cold. If not, it could be a sign of refrigerant shortage which creates prolonged operation and potential system damage.
In response to your front page article dated Aug. 4th, there were errors on "Help your house beat the heat" tips.
It read that insufficient air flow from a central air conditioning system can cause freezing of the condenser coil. Wrong. Poor air flow may cause freezing of the evaporating coil which is affixed to the furnace.
Secondly, the recommendation of monthly filter changes is typically unnecessary. A periodic inspection of clogging should necessitate the purpose of replacement.
A better tip should have been to go outside and inspect your air conditioning unit. While operating, the larger insulated pipe from your home should be sweaty cold. If not, it could be a sign of refrigerant shortage which creates prolonged operation and potential system damage.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
First Air Conditioner Guy Says Replace It For $5,000, Second Air Conditioner Guy Fixes It For $250
First Air Conditioner Guy Says Replace It For $5,000, Second Air Conditioner Guy Fixes It For $250
Reader F.'s air conditioner was broken, so he called the company that installed it when the house was built. They came out, charged him $100, and told him that he could repair the unit for $3,000 or replace it for $5,000. It's a good thing he got a second opinion, because the second repair guy fixed the problem for $250.
F. says:
I called the company that installed it 9 years ago, Westminster Mechanical, because it was making a loud noise and the fan was no longer working. They came out yesterday and in minutes declared that all the components need to be replaced. They estimated around $3000 [for the repair] or a new system for around $5000.
So, I called a neighbor in the business and she sent someone out. In about an hour he found a blockage and once again I have air. Do these companies install in new houses so they can slap a sticker with their number on it and years later when you call say it needs to be replaced? Instead it cost me $250, oh plus the $100 I wasted to have the original company tell me to replace it.
It's nearly impossible to say whether or not the first company was trying to mislead you, so we'll concentrate on what you did right. It's certainly not uncommon for companies to try to get unsuspecting homeowners to try to replace an air conditioner or a furnace when, in fact, it just needs a small repair. So, how do you figure out when your repair guy is telling the truth?
First, before you call someone to come in and look at your AC or furnace, do a little research with the BBB and ask your friends to recommend someone that you can trust. Second, if you're told that you may have to replace your equipment or make an expensive repair, thank the representative for his time and start collecting 2 more estimates. If your unit really does have to be replaced, some contractors will waive the fee and offer a free estimate for the new equipment.
If, like F., there was nothing seriously wrong with your AC, an honest contractor will catch it.
We asked the BBB about F.'s case and were told that complaints about AC repair are relatively uncommon, but that they do happen.
"With something like this, it’s hard for the consumer to know if they’re being lied to or not. If an AC repairman were to say to me, “Your flux capacitor is shot,” who am I to argue? That’s why it’s important to research the company first," said Alison Preszler, Media Relations Manager of the BBB.
Reader F.'s air conditioner was broken, so he called the company that installed it when the house was built. They came out, charged him $100, and told him that he could repair the unit for $3,000 or replace it for $5,000. It's a good thing he got a second opinion, because the second repair guy fixed the problem for $250.
F. says:
I called the company that installed it 9 years ago, Westminster Mechanical, because it was making a loud noise and the fan was no longer working. They came out yesterday and in minutes declared that all the components need to be replaced. They estimated around $3000 [for the repair] or a new system for around $5000.
So, I called a neighbor in the business and she sent someone out. In about an hour he found a blockage and once again I have air. Do these companies install in new houses so they can slap a sticker with their number on it and years later when you call say it needs to be replaced? Instead it cost me $250, oh plus the $100 I wasted to have the original company tell me to replace it.
It's nearly impossible to say whether or not the first company was trying to mislead you, so we'll concentrate on what you did right. It's certainly not uncommon for companies to try to get unsuspecting homeowners to try to replace an air conditioner or a furnace when, in fact, it just needs a small repair. So, how do you figure out when your repair guy is telling the truth?
First, before you call someone to come in and look at your AC or furnace, do a little research with the BBB and ask your friends to recommend someone that you can trust. Second, if you're told that you may have to replace your equipment or make an expensive repair, thank the representative for his time and start collecting 2 more estimates. If your unit really does have to be replaced, some contractors will waive the fee and offer a free estimate for the new equipment.
If, like F., there was nothing seriously wrong with your AC, an honest contractor will catch it.
We asked the BBB about F.'s case and were told that complaints about AC repair are relatively uncommon, but that they do happen.
"With something like this, it’s hard for the consumer to know if they’re being lied to or not. If an AC repairman were to say to me, “Your flux capacitor is shot,” who am I to argue? That’s why it’s important to research the company first," said Alison Preszler, Media Relations Manager of the BBB.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Indoor Smog?
Inside air more polluted than outside air - study
Over eighty leading professionals in air-conditioning in hot environments on Friday attended an expert seminar in Dar es Salaam.
Participants came from different countries, from such rare fields as architects, building contractors, project engineers and consultants.
The event was organised by Carrier Air Conditioning, at which issues such as current global warming and energy crisis were discussed at length.
A recent press release from Royal Furnishers Ltd said participants also showcased a wide range of products that are designed to suit the growing requirements of the market.
The adverse impact of sub-standard products flooding the domestic market was also discussed.
According to a recent study carried out in Britain, ``the air inside an office is probably ten times more polluted than the outside air`` and we spend 90 percent of our time in enclosed spaces.
Hence, it was important to use air conditioners in places of work for better health of the workers, it said.
Over eighty leading professionals in air-conditioning in hot environments on Friday attended an expert seminar in Dar es Salaam.
Participants came from different countries, from such rare fields as architects, building contractors, project engineers and consultants.
The event was organised by Carrier Air Conditioning, at which issues such as current global warming and energy crisis were discussed at length.
A recent press release from Royal Furnishers Ltd said participants also showcased a wide range of products that are designed to suit the growing requirements of the market.
The adverse impact of sub-standard products flooding the domestic market was also discussed.
According to a recent study carried out in Britain, ``the air inside an office is probably ten times more polluted than the outside air`` and we spend 90 percent of our time in enclosed spaces.
Hence, it was important to use air conditioners in places of work for better health of the workers, it said.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
The Sidewalk Sale, One more Global Warming Casualty
Council Would Fine Stores if They Cool the Sidewalks
Now the City Council is expected to pass legislation on Thursday that would impose fines on stores that leave their doors wide open with the air conditioning on.
Councilwoman Gale A. Brewer, a Manhattan Democrat who is co-sponsoring the bill, said she gets a lot of mail from residents complaining about these stores. She said electronics stores are the biggest offenders, though there are plenty of other shops on Fifth Avenue, 34th Street and other popular areas that keep their doors open.
“I’m calling it the Clyde Haberman bill,” she said, a reference to the NYC columnist for The New York Times, who has written about the topic on several occasions.
Ms. Brewer and 18 other council members signed on to the bill, which would affect any business with at least 4,000 square feet, or small stores that are part of a chain with five or more stores in the city. The Department of Consumer Affairs would issue a warning to first-time offenders who kept their exterior doors open while an air-conditioning system intended to cool the area was in use.
Stores would be fined $200 for a second offense and $400 for subsequent violations within an 18-month period.
“Hopefully, they will get the message to help save the planet,” Ms. Brewer said. “There’s no use cooling the sidewalk.”
Her timing is good. Thursday is the fifth anniversary of the blackout that left tens of millions of residents in the dark in eight states across the Midwest and Northeast.
Kathryn S. Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City, a business policy and advocacy group, regretted the need to “legislate common sense” but said, “The energy crisis in terms of global warming and fuel costs suggests that air conditioning should be contained as much as possible.”
According to calculations by Steven Winter Associates, a building systems consultant, a 5,000-square-foot store would pay $380 extra over a summer season if it kept its doors open with the air conditioning on, while a 10,000-square-foot store would spend an additional $1,000.
“The only group that should be opposing this sensible legislation is OPEC,” said Eric A. Goldstein, a senior lawyer at the Natural Resources Defense Council, which worked with the City Council on the legislation.
Now the City Council is expected to pass legislation on Thursday that would impose fines on stores that leave their doors wide open with the air conditioning on.
Councilwoman Gale A. Brewer, a Manhattan Democrat who is co-sponsoring the bill, said she gets a lot of mail from residents complaining about these stores. She said electronics stores are the biggest offenders, though there are plenty of other shops on Fifth Avenue, 34th Street and other popular areas that keep their doors open.
“I’m calling it the Clyde Haberman bill,” she said, a reference to the NYC columnist for The New York Times, who has written about the topic on several occasions.
Ms. Brewer and 18 other council members signed on to the bill, which would affect any business with at least 4,000 square feet, or small stores that are part of a chain with five or more stores in the city. The Department of Consumer Affairs would issue a warning to first-time offenders who kept their exterior doors open while an air-conditioning system intended to cool the area was in use.
Stores would be fined $200 for a second offense and $400 for subsequent violations within an 18-month period.
“Hopefully, they will get the message to help save the planet,” Ms. Brewer said. “There’s no use cooling the sidewalk.”
Her timing is good. Thursday is the fifth anniversary of the blackout that left tens of millions of residents in the dark in eight states across the Midwest and Northeast.
Kathryn S. Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City, a business policy and advocacy group, regretted the need to “legislate common sense” but said, “The energy crisis in terms of global warming and fuel costs suggests that air conditioning should be contained as much as possible.”
According to calculations by Steven Winter Associates, a building systems consultant, a 5,000-square-foot store would pay $380 extra over a summer season if it kept its doors open with the air conditioning on, while a 10,000-square-foot store would spend an additional $1,000.
“The only group that should be opposing this sensible legislation is OPEC,” said Eric A. Goldstein, a senior lawyer at the Natural Resources Defense Council, which worked with the City Council on the legislation.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Another Reason to Do It Yourself
Police warn about thieves posing as repairmen
York Regional Police have issued a warning about three men posing as repairmen after an attempted robbery at a Richmond Hill home Friday.
At about 11:30 a.m., the men knocked on the door of the Yonge Street and 16th Avenue-area home under the guise of Heating and Air Conditioning repair, police said. After forcing their way into the home, the men demanded cash from someone in the home.
The person in the home managed to call to police but was then confronted by the men, who were all holding handguns. With police on the way, the men fled empty-handed. The person in the home was not hurt.
As the men ran north on 16th Avenue, one of them was nearly run over by a vehicle.
Investigators urged the driver of that vehicle and any other witnesses to contact them.
All three would-be robbers are described as black males clad in navy blue golf shirts with patches reading “Heating and Air Conditioning”, long pants and black/orange gloves.
One man, standing five-feet, four-inches tall, was about 20 years old and 160 pounds, has short black hair and was clean shaven.
The other two were five-feet, eight-inches tall with skinny builds and wore their hair in cornrows. One was about 18 years old.
Always ask for identification before allowing anyone into your home and call the company providing the service to confirm the identity of the people at your door, police said.
If you have any information about this case or the people involved, call police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6630, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or leave a tip at www.1800222tips.com
York Regional Police have issued a warning about three men posing as repairmen after an attempted robbery at a Richmond Hill home Friday.
At about 11:30 a.m., the men knocked on the door of the Yonge Street and 16th Avenue-area home under the guise of Heating and Air Conditioning repair, police said. After forcing their way into the home, the men demanded cash from someone in the home.
The person in the home managed to call to police but was then confronted by the men, who were all holding handguns. With police on the way, the men fled empty-handed. The person in the home was not hurt.
As the men ran north on 16th Avenue, one of them was nearly run over by a vehicle.
Investigators urged the driver of that vehicle and any other witnesses to contact them.
All three would-be robbers are described as black males clad in navy blue golf shirts with patches reading “Heating and Air Conditioning”, long pants and black/orange gloves.
One man, standing five-feet, four-inches tall, was about 20 years old and 160 pounds, has short black hair and was clean shaven.
The other two were five-feet, eight-inches tall with skinny builds and wore their hair in cornrows. One was about 18 years old.
Always ask for identification before allowing anyone into your home and call the company providing the service to confirm the identity of the people at your door, police said.
If you have any information about this case or the people involved, call police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6630, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or leave a tip at www.1800222tips.com
Monday, August 18, 2008
To Repair or not to Repair
Should you fix an ailing A/C unit?
Hot days and a cool economy mean more people consider repairing rather than replacing broken air conditioners.
"With current economic conditions, people are afraid to pay for a replacement when it seems less expensive to repair," says Richard Henderson, president of M.B. Kiser Heating and Air Conditioning in Dallas.
The $5,000 to $15,000 cost of replacing a central air-conditioning system is enough to make homeowners sweat, yet not many are happy with the idea of continually repairing a unit that does not do a good job of cooling.
How does a homeowner know when it is smarter to replace the A/C?
The age of the unit is the first thing to consider in the repair-or-replace debate. Air conditioners start to wear out after about 10 years. That's the lifespan for efficiency recommended by the federal government's Energy Star program.
Yet units may stay in good working order for a few years longer, even in sweltering North Texas where Mr. Henderson estimates A/C units are pressed into service for about 1,750 to 2,000 hours during warm seasons that last from April to October.
Making repairs
The system is bound to fail eventually, and frequent repairs are one sign that replacement is a better option.
"If it costs $200 to repair a 20-year-old unit, you may want to think twice about putting $200 into it over and over," Mr. Henderson says.
Also, consider the type of repairs. Replacing major components is costly, and the piecemeal addition of those crucial parts can cause the whole system to operate less efficiently. Adding a condenser, for instance, can cost $3,000 to $6,000.
New technology and standards also make replacement attractive.
Replacing an ailing unit that uses an old style of refrigerant is likely to be a smarter choice than repairing it, notes Colin Creel, service manager of the Air Comfort Company in Richardson.
Under the U.S. Clean Air Act, an official phase-out of a common air-conditioner refrigerant known as R-22 begins in 2010. R-22 has been in use in home systems for about 40 years, and it is associated with greenhouse gases that can cause global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency predicts the cost of the refrigerant will climb as it gradually disappears from the market.
Newer units also run more efficiently. An air conditioner's ability to cool is measured by what's known as seasonal energy efficiency ratings (SEER). The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the unit. If a unit with a SEER rating of 8 is replaced with one with a 15 SEER rating, a homeowner can reduce energy costs by almost half, estimates Bill Cunningham, a specialist with Lennox.
Payback time
The savings offered by newer units can be substantial if the homeowner is planning to stay in the house long enough to recover the costs of replacing the system.
"If you are going to stay in the house less than five years, it is going to be difficult to pay for A/C replacement," says Mr. Henderson of M.B. Kiser.
A new, high-efficiency system may give the home an edge in a slow housing market, but the cost of the unit might not be recovered during a sale, he says.
Smart homeowners have regular, annual inspections of their cooling system, Mr. Creel of Air Comfort says. "The system needs maintenance. It's like a car."
Inspectors can find the minor problems that shorten the life of the system and detect faulty ductwork, lack of insulation or an improperly sized unit, all of which can lead to an uncomfortable home.
Jessie Milligan is a Fort Worth freelance writer.
When to replace the A/C
• If the air inside is cool but the humidity is high, the unit may be oversize for the job. (Leaky ductwork also can lead to high humidity, so have the repairman look at the ducts first.)
• If the air conditioner runs constantly but doesn't adequately cool the air, there could be several causes. The unit may be undersize for the area you're trying to cool or, depending on the age of the equipment, parts could be failing.
• If repairs are frequent.
• If a major component such as the outside condenser box is failing and the warranty has expired.
• If the unit is more than 10 years old, especially if it uses the old form of refrigerant known as R-22.
SOURCES: Energy Star, M.B. Kiser, the Air Comfort Company, Lennox
Guide to shopping for window units
The new generation of window-unit air conditioners comes with lower prices and high efficiency, making them good choices for cooling one or two rooms, according to recent ratings in Consumer Reports.
1. Expect to pay $100 to $700, although good units can be had for $150 to $240.
2. Pay attention to British Thermal Units or Btu. Choose units that use:
• 5,000 to 6,000 Btu per hour for rooms of 100 to 300 square feet.
• 7,000 to 8,200 Btu per hour for 250 to 550 square feet.
• 9,800 to 12,500 Btu for rooms of 350 to 950 square feet.
3. Pick a model that allows you to control the direction of airflow. The window it is placed in may be off to one side of the room. You want to be able to direct the airflow to the area of the room in use.
4. Look for certification stickers. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) monitor energy efficiency ratings.
Here are room units that Consumer Reports
Hot days and a cool economy mean more people consider repairing rather than replacing broken air conditioners.
"With current economic conditions, people are afraid to pay for a replacement when it seems less expensive to repair," says Richard Henderson, president of M.B. Kiser Heating and Air Conditioning in Dallas.
The $5,000 to $15,000 cost of replacing a central air-conditioning system is enough to make homeowners sweat, yet not many are happy with the idea of continually repairing a unit that does not do a good job of cooling.
How does a homeowner know when it is smarter to replace the A/C?
The age of the unit is the first thing to consider in the repair-or-replace debate. Air conditioners start to wear out after about 10 years. That's the lifespan for efficiency recommended by the federal government's Energy Star program.
Yet units may stay in good working order for a few years longer, even in sweltering North Texas where Mr. Henderson estimates A/C units are pressed into service for about 1,750 to 2,000 hours during warm seasons that last from April to October.
Making repairs
The system is bound to fail eventually, and frequent repairs are one sign that replacement is a better option.
"If it costs $200 to repair a 20-year-old unit, you may want to think twice about putting $200 into it over and over," Mr. Henderson says.
Also, consider the type of repairs. Replacing major components is costly, and the piecemeal addition of those crucial parts can cause the whole system to operate less efficiently. Adding a condenser, for instance, can cost $3,000 to $6,000.
New technology and standards also make replacement attractive.
Replacing an ailing unit that uses an old style of refrigerant is likely to be a smarter choice than repairing it, notes Colin Creel, service manager of the Air Comfort Company in Richardson.
Under the U.S. Clean Air Act, an official phase-out of a common air-conditioner refrigerant known as R-22 begins in 2010. R-22 has been in use in home systems for about 40 years, and it is associated with greenhouse gases that can cause global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency predicts the cost of the refrigerant will climb as it gradually disappears from the market.
Newer units also run more efficiently. An air conditioner's ability to cool is measured by what's known as seasonal energy efficiency ratings (SEER). The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the unit. If a unit with a SEER rating of 8 is replaced with one with a 15 SEER rating, a homeowner can reduce energy costs by almost half, estimates Bill Cunningham, a specialist with Lennox.
Payback time
The savings offered by newer units can be substantial if the homeowner is planning to stay in the house long enough to recover the costs of replacing the system.
"If you are going to stay in the house less than five years, it is going to be difficult to pay for A/C replacement," says Mr. Henderson of M.B. Kiser.
A new, high-efficiency system may give the home an edge in a slow housing market, but the cost of the unit might not be recovered during a sale, he says.
Smart homeowners have regular, annual inspections of their cooling system, Mr. Creel of Air Comfort says. "The system needs maintenance. It's like a car."
Inspectors can find the minor problems that shorten the life of the system and detect faulty ductwork, lack of insulation or an improperly sized unit, all of which can lead to an uncomfortable home.
Jessie Milligan is a Fort Worth freelance writer.
When to replace the A/C
• If the air inside is cool but the humidity is high, the unit may be oversize for the job. (Leaky ductwork also can lead to high humidity, so have the repairman look at the ducts first.)
• If the air conditioner runs constantly but doesn't adequately cool the air, there could be several causes. The unit may be undersize for the area you're trying to cool or, depending on the age of the equipment, parts could be failing.
• If repairs are frequent.
• If a major component such as the outside condenser box is failing and the warranty has expired.
• If the unit is more than 10 years old, especially if it uses the old form of refrigerant known as R-22.
SOURCES: Energy Star, M.B. Kiser, the Air Comfort Company, Lennox
Guide to shopping for window units
The new generation of window-unit air conditioners comes with lower prices and high efficiency, making them good choices for cooling one or two rooms, according to recent ratings in Consumer Reports.
1. Expect to pay $100 to $700, although good units can be had for $150 to $240.
2. Pay attention to British Thermal Units or Btu. Choose units that use:
• 5,000 to 6,000 Btu per hour for rooms of 100 to 300 square feet.
• 7,000 to 8,200 Btu per hour for 250 to 550 square feet.
• 9,800 to 12,500 Btu for rooms of 350 to 950 square feet.
3. Pick a model that allows you to control the direction of airflow. The window it is placed in may be off to one side of the room. You want to be able to direct the airflow to the area of the room in use.
4. Look for certification stickers. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) monitor energy efficiency ratings.
Here are room units that Consumer Reports
Friday, August 15, 2008
All about Scroll Compressors
The Breakthrough of the Scroll Compressor
The first Copeland Scroll® rolled off the production line in 1987, and the cooling industry was changed in a way that would benefit contractors and their customers in many, many ways. The prime benefits have been efficiency and product reliability.
Many features of the Scroll focus on preventing compressor failures, but the Scroll’s primary design also improves efficiency and reliability thanks to its classic, concentric compression scroll, in which one spiral-shaped part fits into another; the space between the two parts contains crescent-shaped gas pockets.
CLASSIC SCROLL OPERATION
In operation, one Scroll is fixed in place while the other orbits within the first. The refrigerant gas is drawn in by the movement and forced toward the center of the scroll through successively smaller pockets, thereby increasing the gas pressure until it reaches its maximum pressure. Then it’s released through a discharge port in the fixed scroll.
Copeland Scroll compressors are unique in the industry because they feature both axial and radial compliance in their design, whereas other scroll models utilize a mechanically fixed design and scroll tip seals.
Axial compliance refers to the ability of the scrolls to separate in the axial — or vertical — direction remaining in continuous contact around an axis, in all normal operating conditions, ensuring minimal leakage without the use of tip seals. Radial compliance refers to the ability of the scroll flanks to separate. These features of the Scroll design allow the compressor to be more tolerant of liquid refrigerant or debris than other technologies, making for a compressor that is extremely durable and reliable.
The combination of axial and radial compliance means that Scroll compressors actually “wear in” rather than wearing out. Continuous flank contact, maintained by centrifugal force, also minimizes gas leakage and maximizes efficiency of the compressor.
The first Copeland Scroll® rolled off the production line in 1987, and the cooling industry was changed in a way that would benefit contractors and their customers in many, many ways. The prime benefits have been efficiency and product reliability.
Many features of the Scroll focus on preventing compressor failures, but the Scroll’s primary design also improves efficiency and reliability thanks to its classic, concentric compression scroll, in which one spiral-shaped part fits into another; the space between the two parts contains crescent-shaped gas pockets.
CLASSIC SCROLL OPERATION
In operation, one Scroll is fixed in place while the other orbits within the first. The refrigerant gas is drawn in by the movement and forced toward the center of the scroll through successively smaller pockets, thereby increasing the gas pressure until it reaches its maximum pressure. Then it’s released through a discharge port in the fixed scroll.
Copeland Scroll compressors are unique in the industry because they feature both axial and radial compliance in their design, whereas other scroll models utilize a mechanically fixed design and scroll tip seals.
Axial compliance refers to the ability of the scrolls to separate in the axial — or vertical — direction remaining in continuous contact around an axis, in all normal operating conditions, ensuring minimal leakage without the use of tip seals. Radial compliance refers to the ability of the scroll flanks to separate. These features of the Scroll design allow the compressor to be more tolerant of liquid refrigerant or debris than other technologies, making for a compressor that is extremely durable and reliable.
The combination of axial and radial compliance means that Scroll compressors actually “wear in” rather than wearing out. Continuous flank contact, maintained by centrifugal force, also minimizes gas leakage and maximizes efficiency of the compressor.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Why won't China buy their own Air Conditioners
Carrier Corp. Secures Nearly 70 Percent of HVAC Contracts for Beijing Games
Last update: 11:29 a.m. EDT Aug. 13, 2008
BEIJING, Aug 13, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Carrier Corp., a unit of United Technologies Corp., achieved another milestone in its connection to the 2008 Beijing Games, securing nearly 70 percent of all heating, ventilating and air-conditioning contracts for the venues. Carrier supplied a full line of integrated systems to the Summer Games facilities, ranging from AquaSnap(R) air-cooled chillers with Puron(R) refrigerant to large centrifugal chillers to air-handling units, fan coil units and the Carrier Comfort Network (CCN) controls system.
The "Water Cube" National Aquatics Center, one of the major venues for the Beijing Games, utilizes four Carrier Centrifugal Chillers, a control network and air-side products. Carrier's innovative technology recovers more than 50 percent of the exhaust heat in the aquatics center and then uses it to warm the swimming pool. "This technology reduces heat emission in the environment as well as the energy consumed for heating," stated Ross Shuster, president, Carrier Building Systems and Services, Asia. "Additionally, our high tier air-handling units have gone through a strict anticorrosive process to ensure long-term operation under a damp and high-chlorine indoor environment."
Another application featuring Carrier's customized solutions is the Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium for badminton and rhythmic gymnastics. Carrier's uniquely designed air-conditioning system uses a water-source heat pump to employ ground water to prepare cold and hot water for air conditioning.
The "Bird's Nest" National Stadium features the first Chinese-produced HVAC product certified by EN 1886, the highest international HVAC standards. Carrier's air-handling units have air leakage rate of less then 1 percent and each unit is equipped with Carrier's new high-voltage electrostatic air cleaner to remove airborne particles which improves indoor air quality.
To ensure that the air-conditioning systems in all venues operate smoothly and efficiently, Carrier established a Remote Monitoring Center for the Beijing Games. The high-tech center can trace and analyze the data of air-conditioning system operations and release warnings. "This service helps ensure that Carrier's air-conditioning systems are operating under optimized conditions with maximum energy efficiency," added Shuster.
One important venue in Beijing is a multi-building community that will house athletes during the games. The Beijing Olympic Village achieved LEED(R) ND (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development) certification with design consultation support from Environmental Market Solutions, Inc. (EMSI). EMSI is an environmental and green building company owned by Carrier Corp. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) awards the venue LEED ND certification at the Gold level.
With a long tradition of environmental leadership, Carrier's forward- looking view drives the company to address the environmental effect of products well in advance of regulatory timetables. Carrier was the pioneer in the global phase-out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in 1994 and introduced Puron(R) refrigerant, a non-ozone depleting refrigerant, into air-conditioning systems in 1996. Carrier is leading the transition away from hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as well to further promoting ozone preservation. Carrier's environmental stewardship extends beyond its products. Since 1997, Carrier has doubled sales but kept energy use flat.
Carrier's Environmental Leadership
For its environmental leadership around the world, Carrier Corp. was awarded the 2007 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chinese Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In addition, Carrier was the first HVAC manufacturer to be permitted entry into the U.S. EPA's Climate Leader program and a corporate founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council.
"Worldwide, Carrier invests in innovative products and solutions that meet the varied needs of customers in an environmentally sound manner," said Kelly Romano, president, Building Systems and Services, Carrier. "The 'green' values that are apparent in Carrier's work for the 2008 Beijing Games are the same principles that have built both the success of Carrier Corp. and our reputation for visionary environmental leadership."
For more information on these and other Carrier and EMSI projects and services visit www.carrier.com.
About Carrier Corp.
Carrier Corp., headquartered in Farmington, Conn., is the world's largest provider of heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. With 2007 revenues of $14.6 billion, Carrier has approximately 43,000 employees worldwide and operations in more than 170 countries. Carrier is part of United Technologies Corp., a Hartford, Connecticut-based provider of products and services to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. Visit www.carrier.com for more information.
About EMSI
Established in 2000, Environmental Market Solutions, Inc. (EMSI) is an environmental and green building consulting company with offices in Washington, D.C., Missouri, Beijing and Shanghai. The company provides sustainable design consulting services to building developers and owners to create energy-efficient and LEED-certified buildings.
Last update: 11:29 a.m. EDT Aug. 13, 2008
BEIJING, Aug 13, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Carrier Corp., a unit of United Technologies Corp., achieved another milestone in its connection to the 2008 Beijing Games, securing nearly 70 percent of all heating, ventilating and air-conditioning contracts for the venues. Carrier supplied a full line of integrated systems to the Summer Games facilities, ranging from AquaSnap(R) air-cooled chillers with Puron(R) refrigerant to large centrifugal chillers to air-handling units, fan coil units and the Carrier Comfort Network (CCN) controls system.
The "Water Cube" National Aquatics Center, one of the major venues for the Beijing Games, utilizes four Carrier Centrifugal Chillers, a control network and air-side products. Carrier's innovative technology recovers more than 50 percent of the exhaust heat in the aquatics center and then uses it to warm the swimming pool. "This technology reduces heat emission in the environment as well as the energy consumed for heating," stated Ross Shuster, president, Carrier Building Systems and Services, Asia. "Additionally, our high tier air-handling units have gone through a strict anticorrosive process to ensure long-term operation under a damp and high-chlorine indoor environment."
Another application featuring Carrier's customized solutions is the Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium for badminton and rhythmic gymnastics. Carrier's uniquely designed air-conditioning system uses a water-source heat pump to employ ground water to prepare cold and hot water for air conditioning.
The "Bird's Nest" National Stadium features the first Chinese-produced HVAC product certified by EN 1886, the highest international HVAC standards. Carrier's air-handling units have air leakage rate of less then 1 percent and each unit is equipped with Carrier's new high-voltage electrostatic air cleaner to remove airborne particles which improves indoor air quality.
To ensure that the air-conditioning systems in all venues operate smoothly and efficiently, Carrier established a Remote Monitoring Center for the Beijing Games. The high-tech center can trace and analyze the data of air-conditioning system operations and release warnings. "This service helps ensure that Carrier's air-conditioning systems are operating under optimized conditions with maximum energy efficiency," added Shuster.
One important venue in Beijing is a multi-building community that will house athletes during the games. The Beijing Olympic Village achieved LEED(R) ND (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development) certification with design consultation support from Environmental Market Solutions, Inc. (EMSI). EMSI is an environmental and green building company owned by Carrier Corp. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) awards the venue LEED ND certification at the Gold level.
With a long tradition of environmental leadership, Carrier's forward- looking view drives the company to address the environmental effect of products well in advance of regulatory timetables. Carrier was the pioneer in the global phase-out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in 1994 and introduced Puron(R) refrigerant, a non-ozone depleting refrigerant, into air-conditioning systems in 1996. Carrier is leading the transition away from hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as well to further promoting ozone preservation. Carrier's environmental stewardship extends beyond its products. Since 1997, Carrier has doubled sales but kept energy use flat.
Carrier's Environmental Leadership
For its environmental leadership around the world, Carrier Corp. was awarded the 2007 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chinese Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In addition, Carrier was the first HVAC manufacturer to be permitted entry into the U.S. EPA's Climate Leader program and a corporate founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council.
"Worldwide, Carrier invests in innovative products and solutions that meet the varied needs of customers in an environmentally sound manner," said Kelly Romano, president, Building Systems and Services, Carrier. "The 'green' values that are apparent in Carrier's work for the 2008 Beijing Games are the same principles that have built both the success of Carrier Corp. and our reputation for visionary environmental leadership."
For more information on these and other Carrier and EMSI projects and services visit www.carrier.com.
About Carrier Corp.
Carrier Corp., headquartered in Farmington, Conn., is the world's largest provider of heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. With 2007 revenues of $14.6 billion, Carrier has approximately 43,000 employees worldwide and operations in more than 170 countries. Carrier is part of United Technologies Corp., a Hartford, Connecticut-based provider of products and services to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. Visit www.carrier.com for more information.
About EMSI
Established in 2000, Environmental Market Solutions, Inc. (EMSI) is an environmental and green building consulting company with offices in Washington, D.C., Missouri, Beijing and Shanghai. The company provides sustainable design consulting services to building developers and owners to create energy-efficient and LEED-certified buildings.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Fast Food Goes Green
GreenCore Solar Air Conditioners to Be Installed in McDonald's Restaurant
Marketwire
McDonald's Franchisee in Dallas, TX Purchases GreenCore Solar Air Conditioners
August 06, 2008: 08:00 AM EST
GreenCore Technology, Inc., formerly AquaCell Technologies, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: AQUA) announced today that its Texas distributor, Solar Green Solutions, has sold the Company's GreenCore 10200 solar powered DC air conditioners to a McDonald's franchisee for installation in a McDonald's restaurant. McDonald's will be supplementing its traditional air conditioning system with the GreenCore solar DC air conditioners in order to reduce energy usage and related monthly operating costs.
Brian Becker, President of Solar Green Solutions, said, "McDonald's is a great high-profile application for the GreenCore Solar Air Conditioner. The ability to bring hybrid air conditioning to reduce the McDonald's restaurant's operating costs was very important to the franchisee for many reasons, not the least of which is their desire to 'go green.'"
Mr. Becker continued, "We are very optimistic about expanding this market application beyond this particular franchisee. With the recent heat wave we have experienced in the Dallas area, we are even more excited about the opportunity to bring this alternative energy climate control product to our growing customer base."
Kevin Spence, GreenCore's President and Chief Financial Officer, said, "We are extremely excited about this customer opportunity for our GreenCore solar powered DC air conditioner brought to us by Solar Green Solutions. We are convinced that as exposure to our product becomes more widespread, applications for our solar powered DC air conditioner will expand far beyond our initial target markets."
The GreenCore solar powered DC air conditioner (www.greencoreair.com) combines the most efficient photovoltaic technology with DC engineered air conditioning innovation to provide climate control that does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. The system has been designed to efficiently operate completely grid-free or as a hybrid air conditioning unit.
About GreenCore Technology
GreenCore Technology, Inc., formerly AquaCell Technologies, Inc. (www.aquacell.com) is based in Rancho Cucamonga CA. GreenCore develops, manufactures and markets "green" technology products. GreenCore is dedicated to helping conserve energy and natural resources while reducing pollutants and unwanted biological agents.
GreenCore is the world's only producer of a patented DC air conditioner powered by solar energy. The Company also manufactures earth-friendly water coolers designed to eliminate the energy required to produce and deliver traditional bottled water, as well as the waste generated in landfills.
Marketwire
McDonald's Franchisee in Dallas, TX Purchases GreenCore Solar Air Conditioners
August 06, 2008: 08:00 AM EST
GreenCore Technology, Inc., formerly AquaCell Technologies, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: AQUA) announced today that its Texas distributor, Solar Green Solutions, has sold the Company's GreenCore 10200 solar powered DC air conditioners to a McDonald's franchisee for installation in a McDonald's restaurant. McDonald's will be supplementing its traditional air conditioning system with the GreenCore solar DC air conditioners in order to reduce energy usage and related monthly operating costs.
Brian Becker, President of Solar Green Solutions, said, "McDonald's is a great high-profile application for the GreenCore Solar Air Conditioner. The ability to bring hybrid air conditioning to reduce the McDonald's restaurant's operating costs was very important to the franchisee for many reasons, not the least of which is their desire to 'go green.'"
Mr. Becker continued, "We are very optimistic about expanding this market application beyond this particular franchisee. With the recent heat wave we have experienced in the Dallas area, we are even more excited about the opportunity to bring this alternative energy climate control product to our growing customer base."
Kevin Spence, GreenCore's President and Chief Financial Officer, said, "We are extremely excited about this customer opportunity for our GreenCore solar powered DC air conditioner brought to us by Solar Green Solutions. We are convinced that as exposure to our product becomes more widespread, applications for our solar powered DC air conditioner will expand far beyond our initial target markets."
The GreenCore solar powered DC air conditioner (www.greencoreair.com) combines the most efficient photovoltaic technology with DC engineered air conditioning innovation to provide climate control that does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. The system has been designed to efficiently operate completely grid-free or as a hybrid air conditioning unit.
About GreenCore Technology
GreenCore Technology, Inc., formerly AquaCell Technologies, Inc. (www.aquacell.com) is based in Rancho Cucamonga CA. GreenCore develops, manufactures and markets "green" technology products. GreenCore is dedicated to helping conserve energy and natural resources while reducing pollutants and unwanted biological agents.
GreenCore is the world's only producer of a patented DC air conditioner powered by solar energy. The Company also manufactures earth-friendly water coolers designed to eliminate the energy required to produce and deliver traditional bottled water, as well as the waste generated in landfills.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
There are no silly questions
Q: My husband thinks you get better cooling and airflow if you leave some windows open while running the air conditioning. He leaves two windows open on the second floor of our house 2 or 3 inches.
One of the windows is above the air conditioning unit. I think it is inefficient and wasteful.
A: It's not wise.
"Operating the air conditioner with the window open negates the dehumidification that the AC would be providing," said Phil Smith, energy specialist with the Minnesota Department of Energy Security.
"The Dehumidification of air is one of the key elements to the comfort we get in air conditioning."
In the situation you describe, the open window above the compressor and coils could serve as a "short circuit," permitting heat you have just removed to simply blow back in, he added.
Close the windows when using air conditioning. But be mindful of outdoor conditions so you can turn off the AC and open your windows when the weather permits.
Other home-cooling tips from the Department of Energy Security:
Run the dishwasher at night, turn off lights when not needed, and use bath and kitchen fans to exhaust hot, moist air from bathing and cooking to the outside.
- Use a ceiling fan. Although ceilings fan don't cool a house, they help people feel cool by moving air over them. Energy Star-qualified ceiling fans have optimized fan blades and motors; those with qualified light kits are 50 percent more energy-efficient than standard models.
- If you use window fans, place them on the cool side of the house, blowing inward. Fans blowing to the outside can depressurize a house, creating dangerous back-drafting problems with water heaters or other combustion appliances. Attic fans and whole house fans are not recommended for the same reason.
One of the windows is above the air conditioning unit. I think it is inefficient and wasteful.
A: It's not wise.
"Operating the air conditioner with the window open negates the dehumidification that the AC would be providing," said Phil Smith, energy specialist with the Minnesota Department of Energy Security.
"The Dehumidification of air is one of the key elements to the comfort we get in air conditioning."
In the situation you describe, the open window above the compressor and coils could serve as a "short circuit," permitting heat you have just removed to simply blow back in, he added.
Close the windows when using air conditioning. But be mindful of outdoor conditions so you can turn off the AC and open your windows when the weather permits.
Other home-cooling tips from the Department of Energy Security:
Run the dishwasher at night, turn off lights when not needed, and use bath and kitchen fans to exhaust hot, moist air from bathing and cooking to the outside.
- Use a ceiling fan. Although ceilings fan don't cool a house, they help people feel cool by moving air over them. Energy Star-qualified ceiling fans have optimized fan blades and motors; those with qualified light kits are 50 percent more energy-efficient than standard models.
- If you use window fans, place them on the cool side of the house, blowing inward. Fans blowing to the outside can depressurize a house, creating dangerous back-drafting problems with water heaters or other combustion appliances. Attic fans and whole house fans are not recommended for the same reason.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Air Conditioning Basics
Air-conditioning Basics
An air conditioner is basically a refrigerator without the insulated box. It uses the evaporation of a refrigerant, like Freon, to provide cooling. The mechanics of the Freon evaporation cycle are the same in a refrigerator as in an air conditioner. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online, the term Freon is generically "used for any of various nonflammable fluorocarbons used as refrigerants and as propellants for aerosols."
The compressor compresses cool Freon gas, causing it to become hot, high-pressure Freon gas (red in the diagram above).
This hot gas runs through a set of coils so it can dissipate its heat, and it condenses into a liquid.
The Freon liquid runs through an expansion valve, and in the process it evaporates to become cold, low-pressure Freon gas (light blue in the diagram above).
This cold gas runs through a set of coils that allow the gas to absorb heat and cool down the air inside the building.
Mixed in with the Freon is a small amount of a lightweight oil. This oil lubricates the compressor.
An air conditioner is basically a refrigerator without the insulated box. It uses the evaporation of a refrigerant, like Freon, to provide cooling. The mechanics of the Freon evaporation cycle are the same in a refrigerator as in an air conditioner. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online, the term Freon is generically "used for any of various nonflammable fluorocarbons used as refrigerants and as propellants for aerosols."
The compressor compresses cool Freon gas, causing it to become hot, high-pressure Freon gas (red in the diagram above).
This hot gas runs through a set of coils so it can dissipate its heat, and it condenses into a liquid.
The Freon liquid runs through an expansion valve, and in the process it evaporates to become cold, low-pressure Freon gas (light blue in the diagram above).
This cold gas runs through a set of coils that allow the gas to absorb heat and cool down the air inside the building.
Mixed in with the Freon is a small amount of a lightweight oil. This oil lubricates the compressor.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
UN goes green, orders drastic cut of air-conditioning use
UN goes green, orders drastic cut of air-conditioning use
The United Nations on Wednesday announced a drastic cut of air-conditioning usage at its New York headquarters for the month of August that will raise the temperature from a crisp 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 Celsius) to a balmy 77.
Under a directive from UN chief Ban Ki-moon, the air-conditioning in the 39-floor Secretariat building will be turned off on weekends.
Assuming the temperature change goes smoothly, the ‘Cool UN’ initiative to cut down on energy costs and implement climate change solutions could be extended for a full year, saving the world body one million dollars and reducing the building’s carbon dioxide emmissions by 2,800 tonnes.
During the winter, the process would be reversed and the thermostat would be lowered by five degrees Fahrenheit.
“We have succeeded in moving climate change to the top of the international agenda for action, and this means that the UN must take action itself,” Ban said in a statement. “We must lead by example and if we are to ask others to take action, we must do so as well.”
As part of the initiative, Ban is encouraging staff, delegates and diplomats to relax clothing protocols and wear lighter attire or don their national dress rather than wear business suits as of August 1.
Asked whether the secretary general would be setting an example in this regard as well, Janos Pasztor, head of the the Secretary General Climate Support Team, told reporters: “He will be wearing lighter clothes as well, he has confirmed that.” afp
The United Nations on Wednesday announced a drastic cut of air-conditioning usage at its New York headquarters for the month of August that will raise the temperature from a crisp 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 Celsius) to a balmy 77.
Under a directive from UN chief Ban Ki-moon, the air-conditioning in the 39-floor Secretariat building will be turned off on weekends.
Assuming the temperature change goes smoothly, the ‘Cool UN’ initiative to cut down on energy costs and implement climate change solutions could be extended for a full year, saving the world body one million dollars and reducing the building’s carbon dioxide emmissions by 2,800 tonnes.
During the winter, the process would be reversed and the thermostat would be lowered by five degrees Fahrenheit.
“We have succeeded in moving climate change to the top of the international agenda for action, and this means that the UN must take action itself,” Ban said in a statement. “We must lead by example and if we are to ask others to take action, we must do so as well.”
As part of the initiative, Ban is encouraging staff, delegates and diplomats to relax clothing protocols and wear lighter attire or don their national dress rather than wear business suits as of August 1.
Asked whether the secretary general would be setting an example in this regard as well, Janos Pasztor, head of the the Secretary General Climate Support Team, told reporters: “He will be wearing lighter clothes as well, he has confirmed that.” afp
Friday, August 1, 2008
I Love Engineers but they don't know it all
Just finished a Walk through on a new school we did the Mechanical on (we are in the mid south so we build alot of schools) and we found one system for the common area/ hallway the unit was running fine with proper superheat and subcooling the temperature drop was 18 degrees the problem was they had us install the system in a closet in an unconditioned closet in the outside wall I did not notice it on the plans and during start up it never occurred to anyone until the space temp and humidity were an issue guess it happens to us all
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Money Saving Tips from the Motley Fool
Stop Sweating That A/C Bill
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average family shells out $1,500 annually for utilities. Air conditioning can account for as much as 70% of summer energy costs. To put this in everyday context, let's hear from Mr. Electricity: He says that running central A/C for 12 hours a day for three weeks uses more energy than leaving the refrigerator door open 24 hours a day for an entire year. (I'm not willing to sacrifice my Fudgesicle stash to fact-check that theory.)
To twist a timeless cliche: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of sweat. Small things (like changing the filter and cleaning the coil) can reduce your unit's original efficiency anywhere from 5% to 20% each year. Here are some additional tips that will help you beat the heat wave and keep your (financial) cool this summer:
Get audited: Many utility companies perform energy audits for free or a small fee. They'll identify trouble spots and make remedy recommendations.
Give your HVAC an annual physical: Regular maintenance (which you're going to schedule right now, right?) will prevent a minor HVAC problem from turning into a major one.
During an annual checkup, your heating/cooling pro can also look for buildup on the outdoor A/C and heating coils and clean them. Ask them how to check and clean the indoor coil, too. Because the coil is moist during summertime, it attracts a lot of dust. According to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), dirt buildup on the indoor coil is the most common cause of poor efficiency.
Keep your coolant: A system that's 10% low on coolant (also called freon or the "refrigerant charge") costs about 20% more to operate than a system that's fully loaded, says the ACCA. (Leave the topping off to the pros, since freon is a hazardous substance.) Additionally, low freon can cause the compressor to overheat and die early. That can result in a big-ticket repair bill if you have to replace the compressor or condensing unit.
Go with the flow: All A/C operation manuals recommend cleaning or replacing your air filter about once a month. (Easier said than done in my place, where doing so requires moving a bookcase. Is that bad feng shui?) Most filters cost less than a cappuccino, and a clean one can lower your A/C's energy suck by 5% to 15%.
Keep a lid on it: Grandma was right about drafts being dangerous. Worn-out (or nonexistent) weatherproofing can result in serious air leaks that can contribute to more than one-third of cooling costs. (Looks like plastic sheeting and duct tape are handy to have around.) About 30% of the heat in your house is absorbed through the roof. Vents and attic fans can help keep things circulating and prevent your bills from going through the ... well, you get it.
Do planetary good and save big: Switching to a high efficiency air conditioner (see energystar.gov for more), though costly, will probably put the most money back in your pocket over time. According to the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), a homeowner replacing a 10-year-old unit could improve energy efficiency by as much as 55% by upgrading to a system with a more efficient SEER. Not only that, but the karmic bonus points are immeasurable. Two-thirds of all homes have A/C, releasing about 100 million tons of carbon dioxide into the air each year. (That's two tons for each home with an air conditioner.)
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average family shells out $1,500 annually for utilities. Air conditioning can account for as much as 70% of summer energy costs. To put this in everyday context, let's hear from Mr. Electricity: He says that running central A/C for 12 hours a day for three weeks uses more energy than leaving the refrigerator door open 24 hours a day for an entire year. (I'm not willing to sacrifice my Fudgesicle stash to fact-check that theory.)
To twist a timeless cliche: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of sweat. Small things (like changing the filter and cleaning the coil) can reduce your unit's original efficiency anywhere from 5% to 20% each year. Here are some additional tips that will help you beat the heat wave and keep your (financial) cool this summer:
Get audited: Many utility companies perform energy audits for free or a small fee. They'll identify trouble spots and make remedy recommendations.
Give your HVAC an annual physical: Regular maintenance (which you're going to schedule right now, right?) will prevent a minor HVAC problem from turning into a major one.
During an annual checkup, your heating/cooling pro can also look for buildup on the outdoor A/C and heating coils and clean them. Ask them how to check and clean the indoor coil, too. Because the coil is moist during summertime, it attracts a lot of dust. According to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), dirt buildup on the indoor coil is the most common cause of poor efficiency.
Keep your coolant: A system that's 10% low on coolant (also called freon or the "refrigerant charge") costs about 20% more to operate than a system that's fully loaded, says the ACCA. (Leave the topping off to the pros, since freon is a hazardous substance.) Additionally, low freon can cause the compressor to overheat and die early. That can result in a big-ticket repair bill if you have to replace the compressor or condensing unit.
Go with the flow: All A/C operation manuals recommend cleaning or replacing your air filter about once a month. (Easier said than done in my place, where doing so requires moving a bookcase. Is that bad feng shui?) Most filters cost less than a cappuccino, and a clean one can lower your A/C's energy suck by 5% to 15%.
Keep a lid on it: Grandma was right about drafts being dangerous. Worn-out (or nonexistent) weatherproofing can result in serious air leaks that can contribute to more than one-third of cooling costs. (Looks like plastic sheeting and duct tape are handy to have around.) About 30% of the heat in your house is absorbed through the roof. Vents and attic fans can help keep things circulating and prevent your bills from going through the ... well, you get it.
Do planetary good and save big: Switching to a high efficiency air conditioner (see energystar.gov for more), though costly, will probably put the most money back in your pocket over time. According to the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), a homeowner replacing a 10-year-old unit could improve energy efficiency by as much as 55% by upgrading to a system with a more efficient SEER. Not only that, but the karmic bonus points are immeasurable. Two-thirds of all homes have A/C, releasing about 100 million tons of carbon dioxide into the air each year. (That's two tons for each home with an air conditioner.)
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Yeah it's hot so whatcha gonna do about it
Your air conditioner may not be broken, it may only need maintenance
Keeping your air conditioner running during the heat wave
Lawton_Monday was the hottest day of the year in Lawton, reaching a temperature of 108 degrees - and, the forecasts predict more of the same. It's also a banner season for the air conditioning business. Pippin Brothers in Lawton says it's working overtime lately since more and more people have been calling to complain that their air conditioners are broken. However, when a maintenance tech arrives, they find that the air conditioner isn't broken at all. Instead, it hasn't been properly maintained.
Chief Executive Officer of Pippin Brothers Heat and Air, Mark Pippin, says that the number one complaint is that a unit seems to be improperly cooling a home. However, he says the problem is not always with the air conditioner itself. The first step in troubleshooting a problem with your air conditioner: "Make sure your filter is clean," says Pippin.
Pippin says it's easy to check your filter yourself. He recommends that air filters be changed monthly - sometimes more. "If you've got cats and dogs, more than that," he says. "That air circulating like that collects more dander." He says you could run up some hefty bills if you don't change them regularly. "It can increase your utility bills by 50-70% in one month - sometimes double."
Pippin says that it also helps to keep your air ducts and vents clean. The dirtier they are, the harder your unit has to work - and, if it breaks, it may be a while before you cool off, because his technicians have been handling so many calls, they're about a day and a half behind on their response time.
Pippin also warns of the dangers of not having proper air conditioning. Without central air or a window unit, extreme heat can be dangerous for the elderly and young children. "When we get in the attics, they're about 150 degrees," he says. "You can imagine how that heat can come down, without air circulation. There's hardly any wind blowing today. It can get to 120 degrees easily."
He says the average life span of an air unit once was 17 years, but the newer models now only last about 13. Just as with any large appliance, air conditioning units come in different sizes and prices. They can range in cost anywhere from $5,000-$12,000.
Keeping your air conditioner running during the heat wave
Lawton_Monday was the hottest day of the year in Lawton, reaching a temperature of 108 degrees - and, the forecasts predict more of the same. It's also a banner season for the air conditioning business. Pippin Brothers in Lawton says it's working overtime lately since more and more people have been calling to complain that their air conditioners are broken. However, when a maintenance tech arrives, they find that the air conditioner isn't broken at all. Instead, it hasn't been properly maintained.
Chief Executive Officer of Pippin Brothers Heat and Air, Mark Pippin, says that the number one complaint is that a unit seems to be improperly cooling a home. However, he says the problem is not always with the air conditioner itself. The first step in troubleshooting a problem with your air conditioner: "Make sure your filter is clean," says Pippin.
Pippin says it's easy to check your filter yourself. He recommends that air filters be changed monthly - sometimes more. "If you've got cats and dogs, more than that," he says. "That air circulating like that collects more dander." He says you could run up some hefty bills if you don't change them regularly. "It can increase your utility bills by 50-70% in one month - sometimes double."
Pippin says that it also helps to keep your air ducts and vents clean. The dirtier they are, the harder your unit has to work - and, if it breaks, it may be a while before you cool off, because his technicians have been handling so many calls, they're about a day and a half behind on their response time.
Pippin also warns of the dangers of not having proper air conditioning. Without central air or a window unit, extreme heat can be dangerous for the elderly and young children. "When we get in the attics, they're about 150 degrees," he says. "You can imagine how that heat can come down, without air circulation. There's hardly any wind blowing today. It can get to 120 degrees easily."
He says the average life span of an air unit once was 17 years, but the newer models now only last about 13. Just as with any large appliance, air conditioning units come in different sizes and prices. They can range in cost anywhere from $5,000-$12,000.
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