Source EERE

When deciding to have a new HVAC system installed in your home it is pertinent that you know exactly what you are looking for in a system, what questions to ask, and the criteria to look for in an HVAC contractor.

The installation of an HVAC system is not a job that you should perform yourself. This sort of installation should always be left up to a trained professional. These systems can be dangerous if they are not put in correctly and you don’t want to take the chance of endangering your family.

As with any new service or product that you may be pursuing you should ask around to see what HVAC contractors are recommended in your area. Talking to people that you know who have had any recent maintenance or installations done by an HVAC company is a great way to obtain a referral. Some companies may even offer testimonials from previous clients that have employed their service. It is also a good idea to make sure that the company that you are using has been in business for a good amount of time, which shows how much experience they have.

Once you have chosen the contracting company that will install your new HVAC system it is best to see what type of people that are working for the company. The technicians that are employed with the company that you choose should be constantly trained and aware of updated technology and techniques. A responsible contracting company will also go one step further to ensure that you are receiving the best service possible by doing a background check of each of its technicians before they are hired. You want to be sure that your system is not only installed correctly but that you and your family are able to feel comfortable and safe.

Many HVAC contractors specialize in selling only one brand of HVAC system, which can be a good thing or a bad thing. If you use a reputable contractor you can rely on them to have a good knowledge of the product that they are selling and installing. More often times than not, these contractors have had some training, through the manufacturer, on how to install the system and on how the actual unit operates.

Making sure that you are dealing with an experienced and customer oriented HVAC contractor makes a huge difference in the experience, service, and product that you receive.

Kathleen Whitlow is a copywriter & marketing agent of Arundel Cooling & Heating. The heating and air conditioning contractor provides HVAC services throughout Maryland. For more information on their HVAC Contracting please visit their website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathleen_Whitlow
http://EzineArticles.com/?HVAC-Contractors—What-To-Look-For-When-Choosing-One?&id=1192779

With all the types and sizes available, replacing a HVAC coil can be intimidating. Keep in mind that 95% of the overall HVAC coil cost is the finned surface area, number of rows and fins per inch. Casing dimensions, coil depth, connection sizes and header sizes only account for 5% of the overall cost.

10 Simple HVAC coil facts:

1. If you eliminated the fins and only used the tubes, you would only get about 30% of the performance compared to the same HVAC coils with fins. The fins impact heat transfer much more than the tubes.
2. Because steam is erosive, steam coils are often constructed differently then hot water coils. Water and steam coils cannot always be used interchangeably. Some duct booster coils can be used with hot water or steam. Be aware that the steam should NOT be modulated through this type of coil if it will be exposed to below freezing air temperatures. As the valve modulates down, there is not enough pressure to push the condensate through this type of coil. If you are using steam in a hot water booster coil, you should choose 2 position control (on/off). Modulating type steam coils, aka “non-freeze” steam coils should not be used with hot water.
3. The industry has arbitrarily named 1 and 2 row coils “hot water HVAC coils” and 3 – 10 row coils “chilled water HVAC coils”. Hot water coils and chilled water coils are constructed the same. Hot water temperatures are much higher than the air temperature, resulting in a coil with fewer rows. Chilled water temperatures are very close to the air temperature, resulting in a much deeper coil.
4. Chilled water and DX (direct expansion) HVAC coils are identical except for the supply and return arrangement. You can’t feed refrigerant through a M.P.T. (male pipe thread) connection and header arrangement. You have to replace the standard hydronic feed with a refrigerant distributer. The “spaghetti tubing” connected to the distributer feeds as many tubes as you want it to feed. Beyond that, chilled water and DX HVAC coils are identical.
5. Fins have corrugations that run the entire height and depth of each fin. Fins are not flat. Corrugations promote turbulence, increasing the surface area and coil efficiency. Corrugations also help in preventing moisture carryover which is very common with chilled water HVAC coils running at face velocities higher the 550 FPM.
6. When you look at HVAC coils, you can see that the fins are rippled. This is another way to mix up the air, causing more turbulence which creates more heat transfer, increasing coil efficiency.
7. Most HVAC coils last 15-20 years. HVAC coils can last as long as 30 years if they are properly maintained. Proper maintenance includes regular cleaning on the airside, and proper treatment of the fluid passing through the tubes.
8. 5/8″ tube chilled water coils use more tubes per row than ½” tube chilled water coils. The ½ tube coils have more finned surface area, but the thicker 5/8″ tubes take up more surface area. The performance of the two different HVAC coils is similar. People often choose the 5/8″ tube coil due to its slightly lower water pressure drop and thicker tube wall thickness.
9. Since you pay for copper by the pound, you will pay more for a 5/8″ tube coil than a 1/2″ tube coil. This is because the wall thickness on a 5/8″ tube coil is 10 – 15% more than a comparable 1/2″ tube coil. Even though the performance is the same, you will pay more for a 5/8″ tube coil. One could claim that a 5/8″ tube coil will outlast a 1/2″ tube coil.
10. 95% of the overall cost of HVAC coils is the finned surface area, number of rows and fins per inch. Casing dimensions, coil depth, connection sizes and header sizes only account for 5% of the overall cost. Changing the materials can have a huge impact on the overall cost. Stainless steel casings and copper fins are very common in corrosive environments. The material costs are higher, and the heat transfer properties of different materials will affect the size of the coil. If you change the fins to copper, you will lose about 15% of the capacity, which means you will need a bigger coil.

HVAC Coil templates specific to your application can be downloaded and printed. Bring these templates to your jobsite, mark them up, and fax them to your manufacturer. They will use your template to build an exact duplicate.

For more details on replacing and purchasing HVAC coils, please visit: http://store.h-mac.com/index.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Haher
http://EzineArticles.com/?Understanding-HVAC-Coils—10-Easy-to-Understand-Facts&id=1287752

HVAC is an acronym of heating, ventilation and air conditioning. It is essential to maintain comfortable temperature and good air in a building. A good HVAC can improve the productivity of the employees working in that building. In turn poor HVAC can affect the performance of the workers. Hence it is indispensable to have good HVAC in an office building.

HVAC is also referred to as climate control and is essential for industrial and office buildings. Some of them even have computerized control. this of course can add to the cost. Though essential installing HVAC system in a building is a costly process and so HVAC financing is often essential.

The enormous size warehouse building requires Roof top HVAC system. It has unique features to ensure safety and protection of the loads. It is therefore essential for every industrial or warehouse buildings. However they can be expensive and so many companies look for HVAC financing.

Stand alone HVAC helps to maintain the temperature. It offers high class performance. It is fully operational and secure. But installing it in an office building is not a simple process. It requires the help of a specialist to install. Installing stand alone HVAC is a costly process and so many companies find it wise to go for HVAC financing.

Many traditional financial institutions may not be willing to finance HVAC due to their extreme cost. However there are some reliable financing companies that can understand the need of HVAC in a building and so they offer financial assistance to them.

The financing companies do not ask any documents to offer HVAC financing. A simple application process is enough to grant approval. Once the business owner submits the application with the financing company, the officials in that company would contact you immediately. They would grant loan amount on the same day itself. However most of the financing companies practice the habit of granting finance to the vendor or dealer mentioned by the applicant.

HVAC indirectly helps to increase the productivity of the company. Hence it is essential to install it. Due to their high cost, many companies hesitate to install them. HVAC financing is an excellent opportunity for them to have HVAC in their office building also.

The financing companies provide financial assistance to acquire HVAC at low interest rates. Hence the companies do not find it difficult to repay the amount in low monthly installments. Since there is no red tapism, the company can get loan at any time they want. Sometimes, HVAC financing can be obtained on the same day itself.

Since there are no cumbersome procedures, many companies find it a great relief to get financing HVAC. In fact, it is often difficult to get financial help for stand alone or roof top HVAC. But the genuine financing companies make it possible for almost all companies to have HVAC in their buildings.

A good HVAC system can also help saving power. Investing in HVAC system is not an expense but a great way to get increased productivity.

Chris Fletcher’s page features more about new and used HVAC Financing and other finance topics.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Mark_Fletcher
http://EzineArticles.com/?HVAC-Financing&id=1244145

With strengthening modern technology, HVAC training is more necessary today than ever! While many will train for a career in HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) while on the job, more and more employers are now searching for graduates who have successfully completed their post secondary HVAC training to fill the ever-increasing demand for skilled technicians.

In an HVAC training program, students commonly learn to read blueprints; they also learn about safety issues, tools of the trade, designs, equipment construction, electronics, and the installation, maintenance and repair of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems as well as heating and refrigeration systems. Additional coursework may include applied physics, chemistry, computer applications, electronics, and mechanical drawing.

A suitable HVAC training program is usually administered at a vocational or trade school, but there are some online HVAC schools, as well. Students are taught how to troubleshoot, repair and maintain heating, ventilation and air conditioning mechanisms and entire systems. Future HVAC technicians may evaluate settings and adjust system controls, test equipment, install fuel or water lines, and install air ducts, pumps, vent systems and other associated parts. In addition, prospective technicians learn how to connect electrical wiring and other components necessary for optimum HVAC operation.

Students who complete in HVAC training may earn a certificate or college credits. Furthermore, those who have fulfilled requirements for becoming an HVAC technician can expect a promising career outlook as the projected rate of available jobs is increasing more rapidly than many other occupations. While earnings vary, the top ten percent of HVAC technicians make more than $27 per hour.

If you would like to learn more about HVAC Training and HVAC Schools, you can find more in-depth information and resources on our website.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2007 – All rights reserved by SchoolsGalore.com, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Find HVAC Schools, Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools, and Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com, your educational resource to locate schools.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Bustamante
http://EzineArticles.com/?HVAC-Training&id=448872

• Select a heat pump with a demand-defrost control. This will minimize the defrost cycles, thereby reducing supplementary and heat pump energy use.
• If you’re adding a heat pump to an electric furnace, the heat pump coil should usually be placed on the cold (upstream) side of the furnace for greatest efficiency.
• Fans and compressors make noise. Locate the outdoor unit away from windows and adjacent buildings, and select a heat pump with an outdoor sound rating of 7.6 bels or lower. You can also reduce this noise by mounting the unit on a noise-absorbing base.

Source:U.S Dept of Energy

by Hans Dekker

At first glance, solar cooling looks like an oxymoron. However, the same energy that can provide heat in the wintertime can also provide cooling during the summer.

Several passive cooling systems have been developed and tested. At their simplest, they rely on a coolant that absorbs and dissipates heat from the house. This could be a pool of water on the rooftop which absorbs seat from the inside of the house as it evaporates on exposure to the sun.

More sophisticated passive solar cooling systems have a solar collector which is shaded during the daytime. A storage medium collects heat during the day and dissipates it at night by exposing the solar collector to the cool night air.

Since the solar collector must be shaded, a retractable awning or overhang extension can be installed. Since the system can be reversed in the winter months, it is important that the solar collector can be exposed to sunshine if needed.

Solar panels can also be used to operate traditional air conditioners. As it happens, the periods of intense heat correspond to the periods of peak electricity production from photovoltaic cells. As long as you have solar panels which generate sufficient to electricity, you can operate air conditioners at no cost.

Solar cooling that does not take advantage of high technology is another possibility. The Romans used a system of running water to cool down exterior walls of their houses. The heat of the sun causes the water to evaporate and dissipate the heat within the house. This kind of system can be used on walls or on rooftops.

Heating and cooling are two of the biggest expenses for most households. Using solar energy to reduce this expense makes sense financially as well as ecologically. The less dependent we are on fossil fuels for heating and cooling the cleaner the environment will be.

Hans is author at
http://www.alternative-energy-guide.com the energy site for “non techies”

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hans_Dekker

By Tom Sample

If you own an air conditioner, then it is safe to say that at some time in the future you will need air-conditioning repairs. There are a few different things that can go wrong and some are very easily repaired. For example, if your air conditioner is not cooling, but is still running it may just need cleaning. Before you start, find your owner’s manual. If you can’t find it, then you can request one from the manufacturer. Try to pick a fairly warm day for the repair because this will give you a better idea of why it is not working.

Before you start your air-conditioning repairs, make sure the power to the unit is turned off. You should be able to find a shut off panels for this. If you can’t find this panel then shut off the electricity to the house itself. Make sure you rake any debris away from the outside condenser.

Now you can start to find out what the problem is by removing the grill cover off the condenser and clean the fins by using a soft cloth and brush. You have to be careful not to damage the fins as this can be done very easily. Vacuum them out after cleaning. Now unscrew and lift up the cover of the grill, but be careful. The fan is attached to some of them and you don’t want to pull any wires loose. After cleaning, you can hose out the fins, but protect the motor with some kind of waterproof covering. If you think the motor needs lubricating, now is the time to do it. Now put the unit back together. This is the easy part of air-conditioning repairs.

To test your air conditioning repairs, turn the power back on and let your unit run for a few minutes. Place your hand on the pipes that connect to the condenser unit. One of the pipes should feel warm and the other should feel cool. If it’s still not working, then you probably need the refrigerant recharged and this will require a professional.

If your air conditioner doesn’t go on automatically, there are a few steps you can take to check this out. First, make sure that your thermostat is set to cool and below room temperature. You should also check to see if a fuse is blown or the problem may be a tripped breaker on your main panel box. Make sure that the power switch on the furnace is turned on and also the condenser switch on the outside unit. You can also check to make sure the 240-volt disconnect, which is next to the compressor outside, hasn’t been turned off. These are some steps that will help you with air-conditioning repairs.

Any air conditioning repairs you can do on your own will certainly help your budget and can be spent on other problems that may arise where you can’t repair your air conditioning yourself. The repairs above are straightforward and you should have no problem in completing them. If you run into difficulty, contact the manufacturer. They hold a world of knowledge about the products they make and may be able to contribute some useful information for the problems you face while doing the repairs.

#1 Resource

Air conditioner information.

http://www.airconditioninginc.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Sample

Every home is different and there are many factors that effect how long you should wait between filter changes. Wait too long and the efficiency of the equipment will deteriorate and operating costs go up. Change your filter too often and it’s like throwing money away. Considering the cost of some filters that could add up to a lot of money over time.

It is important to keep in mind that the more efficient your air conditioner filter is the more often it will have to be cleaned or replaced. For most people pleated filters will do an adequate job. These filters are ten to sixty percent efficient and some manufacturers claim even higher efficiencies.

Pleated filters should be changed every three to six months. If you live in an area with lots of dust then you should probably change your filter about every three months.

If you require more efficient air filtration you may want an electrostatic, electronic or even a HEPA filter. The more efficient the filter is the more often it will have to be cleaned or replaced.

Electrostatic filters probably offer the best combination of value and efficiency. You will pay between two to six times what a good quality disposable filter would cost but you just wash them with water when they become dirty and reuse them.

Electronic filters will never become dirty enough to effect airflow. They just become inefficient and there ability to remove dust from the air deteriorates as they become dirty. To clean these filters you have to remove the electronic cells and soak them in some like HVAC cleaner and then rinse them and let them dry.

HEPA filters are the most efficient filters available and become plugged very quickly. They need to be checked monthly and often cause too much restriction to airflow to be used at all. An air conditioner contractor will be able to tell you if it is worth trying one of these in your system.

If you are using economy panel filters from your local hardware store and getting a pack of four for five or ten dollars, you are not doing yourself, your family or your air conditioning equipment any favours. When it comes to rating filters, these are at the bottom of the list.

These filters do such a poor job you could leave one in your air conditioner for a year and it would not collect enough dust to require changing. The unfortunate thing is the evaporator coil of your air conditioner would need to be cleaned every year to remove the dirt that should have been stopped by the filter.

Donald Munn has been in the air conditioning, ventilation and heating industry for twenty years and shares his experience and insight into furnace filter and air conditioner filter selection, performance and care at http://www.furnacefiltercare.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donald_Munn

1. Study up – Find out about license and insurance requirements for contractors in your state. And before you call a contractor, know the model of your current system and its maintenance history. Also make note of any uncomfortable rooms. This will help potential contractors better understand your heating needs.

2. Consider certified professionals – Look for a contractor who employs technicians certified by NATE (North American Technician Excellence) , the leading industry-supported testing and certification program.

3. Call references – Ask contractors for customer references and call them. Ask about the contractor’s installation or service performance, and if the job was completed on time and within budget.

4. Find special offers – A heating and cooling system is one of the largest purchases you’ll make as a homeowner. Keep your costs down by checking around for available rebates on energy-efficient ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling equipment. Begin your search at www.energystar.gov.

5. Look for ENERGY STAR – ENERGY STAR qualified products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and offer significant long-term energy savings. Contractors should be able to show you calculations of savings for ENERGY STAR heating and cooling equipment.

6. Expect a home evaluation – The contractor should spend significant time inspecting your current system and home to assess your needs. A bigger system isn’t always better; a contractor should size the heating and cooling system based on the size of your house, level of insulation, and windows. A good contractor will inspect your duct system (if applicable) for air leaks and insulation and measure airflow to make sure it meets manufacturers specifications.

7. Get written, itemized estimates – When comparing contractors’ proposals (bids), be sure to compare cost, energy efficiency and warranties. A lowest price may not be the best deal if it’s not the most efficient because your energy costs will be higher.

8. Get it in ink - Sign a written proposal with a contractor before work gets started. It’ll protect you by specifying project costs, model numbers, job schedule and warranty information.

9. Pass it on - Tell friends and family about ENERGY STAR. Almost one-quarter of households knowingly purchased at least one qualified product last year, and 71% of those consumers say they would recommend ENERGY STAR to a friend. Spread the word, and we can all make a big difference.

10. Get the ENERGY STAR Guide – For complete information on keeping your home comfortable year-round, get the ENERGY STAR Guide to Energy Efficient Cooling and Heating (708 KB) or 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

[via:energystar]

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