A. Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.
A. If working within the US and its territories, they require EPA refrigeration certification. There may also be state and local licenses and certifications that would vary from place to place. But EPA certification is on a Federal level and if you work with refrigerants, you MUST have this certification..
A. An air conditioner is a device which uses a special type of substance which readily changes from its normal gas state to a liquid one. The gas is contained in a closed circuit of pipes connected to a pump. The pump compresses the gas so hard that the pressure is great enough for it to turn into a liquid. In doing this the gas/liquid has got hot (If you try to compress a gas, it will almost always get hot)
Now, the hot liquid travels round a set of pipes which allow the heat to escape. Next the liquid under pressure passes through a valve into a pipe where the pressure is much lower, and the liquid evaporates back into its gas state. In doing this it needs to take in heat from its surroundings, thus making the pipes colder. The gas now gets back to the pump and the whole cycle starts again.
The pipes are usually arranged so that there are fans to blow air over both the hot part of the pipes and the cold part. The hot part is frequently put outside the house, and the cold part inside.
A. . Sorry, but a certified refrigeration technician needs to do it. That is the law. The tools are going to cost you more than the service anyway, and if you don't get the oil charge right when you re-fill you will critically damage your compressor.
A. A heat pump is like a conventional air conditioner except it also can provide heat in winter. In the summer, the heat pump collects heat from the house and expels it outside. In the winter, the heat pump extracts heat from outside air and circulates it inside the house. A heat pump can save 30 to 60 percent less energy to supply the same heat when compared to an electric furnace with a resistance heating element.
In its cooling mode, a heat pump supplies exactly the same kind of cooling as all electric air conditioners. In its heating mode, the temperature of the air supplied by a heat pump is not as hot as the air supplied by a fossil fuel furnace, but the end result is the same: a warm, comfortable home. Air temperature from a heat pump at room outlets normally is about 100 degrees Fahrenheit compared to about 120 to 130 degrees from a fossil fuel furnace.
A. This can be caused by several reasons: low amount of refrigerant, it has a refrigerant leak, a control problem causing heat to turn on, or if you have a heat pump, the reversing valve has a problem.
Always check the operational status of the equipment since some models may have a "Dry Mode" that deactivates all heating and cooling modes.
A. This question is too broad. Refer to you local Refrigeration Technician.
A .The best system depends on many variables, including family size, house location and design, and utility cost and availability. The optimum indoor comfort system might include high efficiency air conditioning and heat pump units..
A.. Like most items, in the off season. That's when contractors have more time to spend with you determining exactly the best options you would want to consider for your individual needs. The off season ranges from December to March.
A. If you want flexibility to program your temperature changes, a computerized thermostat will probably be best.
A. When the system starts giving you more problems than seem cost effective to fix, particularly when major components such as the compressor start making unusual noises or otherwise indicating need for a service call. When faced with major repairs, consult several contractors for their recommendations. Replacing a compressor is somewhat less expensive than replacing the entire unit, but new units may give you greater efficiency and lower operating costs in the long run.
A. Manufacturers publish equipment efficiency ratings which are available to your contractor. ARI also publishes directories indicating various energy efficiency ratings of specific equipment.
It is important that a contractor install a unit that has just the right capacity to cool your home. Units with excess capacity will cycle on and off and work less efficiently, thus increasing your operating costs.
A. Sounds like they gave you a heat pump (instead of an ac) with a warranty issue OR Warranty issue. Sounds like you are low on refrigerant.
A. There are a couple of things that cause your AC to freeze up.
If your indoor coil is icing up you:
1. Have a dirty filter 2. Have a system low on refrigerant 3. You have a blower that is not providing enough air across the coil
A. It is freezing up. We find this problem occurs particularly when it cools off somewhat outside. Turn your a/c temperature up, and your fan speed to high. This helps to keep it from freezing. More than likely you are low on refrigerant. Have you had the pressures checked. Also check you filter and ensure it is not dirty.
A. It could be as simple as replacing a fuse, resetting a circuit breaker or checking to see if the thermostat is set properly. If an electrical problem isn't the cause, the refrigerant may be low if the system still runs but does not cool properly. This can be corrected by having an EPA certified technician add necessary refrigerant. Most likely, if the problem involves any major part, such as the compressor, you would hear strange noises similar to those of any mechanical equipment not running correctly, or the unit might not run at all.
A. Check it at least every month during peak use, and replace it when it looks dirty enough to significantly impair the air flow through it. Some filters, such as media filters or electronic air cleaners, are washable; others are disposable and must be replaced.
A. If your house is going to be empty for more than about four hours, it's a good idea to turn your thermostat up to about 82 degrees or so instead of the 78 usually recommended. Keep the house closed to minimize heat build up. When you come home, don't set the thermostat any lower than the temperature you actually want your air conditioning system wouldn't cool any faster and might easily waste money by cooling your home more than needed.
A. Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) measure of seasonal or annual efficiency of a central air conditioner or air conditioning heat pump. It takes into account the variations in temperature that can occur within a season and is the average number of Btu of cooling delivered for every watt-hour of electricity used by the heat pump over a cooling season.
A. Ceiling fans are definitely not a waste of energy.
Ceiling fans use very little electricity. Use them to circulate air in the house, to make the house feel cooler. By doing this, the thermostat setting for your air conditioner can be raised to 85 graos Fahrenheit, and still maintain the same comfort as the lower setting.
A. There are three main ways to determine the SEER of equipment: (1) find the model numbers of your present equipment (the outdoor condenser/compressor unit and the indoor evaporator coil unit) and check them with local contractors who handle your brand; (2) estimate the SEER based on the average SEER units produced approximately when your system was installed; or (3) check the energy efficiency label on your outdoor condenser/compressor unit if you have equipment produced after late 1988.
In the first method, contractors can then consult manufacturer data or the ARI unitary equipment certification directory which lists all models of equipment by manufacturers that certify their equipment SEER ratings. In the second method, for air conditioners and heat pumps produced in 1981, the first year SEER criteria was used, the average ratings were 7.78 and 7.51 respectively. By 1987, SEERs reached 8.97 and 8.93 respectively.
By 1994, ratings increased to 10.61 for air conditioners and 10.94 for heat pumps. In the third method, residential central air conditioners and heat pumps covered under Department of Energy (DOE) test procedures and manufactured on and after June 7, 1988, are required to have labels containing energy efficiency information. For each system, the label will be on the outdoor condenser/compressor unit, and will reflect the SEER achieved by matching the outdoor unit and the indoor evaporator coil unit. l
A. It can be surprisingly small on an annual basis, but it depends on how much you use your air conditioning, how efficient your equipment is, and how much you conserve energy by actions ranging from insulating your home to keeping doors and windows closed when the system in operating. You local electric company is the best source for specifics in your area.
A. Manufacturers publish equipment efficiency ratings which are available to your contractor. ARI also publishes directories indicating various energy efficiency ratings of specific equipment.
It is important that a contractor install a unit that has just the right capacity to cool your home. Units with excess capacity will cycle on and off and work less efficiently, thus increasing your operating costs.
Central Ac
A. Your condenser may be dirty and the evaporator coils should be cleaned there may be inadequate air flow around the condenser. if there is a leak, your unit may be out of refrigerant you might have a leak in your duct system
I had the same problem and when the service tech came out it was determined that a faulty relay was to blame - the ac and heat were on at the same time! Hope this helps.
A. Freon is a term used in the industry for most refridgerants. R-22 is a blend that is scheduled to be obsolete in 2010. R-22 is up to $12 a pound. The new repalcement is 410a or 134a. <
A. You do not need to pump the system down just to clean the coil unless you are planning to remove the coil completely from the unit.
A. This question is too broad. If it is a refrigerant leak it is most likely in one of the 2 coils. It could also be in the line set wherever the copper lines were joined with couplings and elbows.
It is also possible that the line set has been punctured with a nail during construction or home improvement.
A. More than likely, the clog is a clump of algae / mold. A solution of bleach and water cold help reduce the growth. A quicker solution is o replace the line, but it may not be accessible compressed air use a blow gun seal whith a rag and give a good burst of air some kits are sold for this that uses co2 cartridges same as the cartriges used in pellet guns.
Mini Split AC / Ductless AC
Like the central air conditioner units, mini split air conditioners have two main components: an outdoor compressor/condenser, and an indoor air-handling unit. A conduit, which houses the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing, and a condensate drain, links the outdoor and indoor units through a small hole (3 inches usually) that is drilled in the wall of the building. The main advantages of split air conditioners are their small size and flexibility for zoning or heating and cooling individual rooms. Some split air conditioners can have as many as four indoor air handling units (for four zones or rooms) connected to one outdoor unit. The number depends on how much heating or cooling is required for the building or each zone (which is also affected by how well the building is insulated). Since each of the split air conditioner zones/rooms will have it's own thermostat, you only need to condition that area when someone is present, which saves energy and money. If you are in a office building at a higher floor, you can also install Outside Compressor using our Wall Bracket.
YES and NO. Depends if you are good technically. You may or may not be able to do it. Some people do the handyman work on the indoor and outdoor unit and pay a small amount to an electrician to hard wire the outdoor unit and pay HVAC professional to vaccuum the lines before releasing the refrigerant. Some people choose to do it all by themselves with their past experience. Manufacturer recommends to have it installed by an HVAC professional. Any of your local professional air conditioning company should be able to install it easily for couple of hundred dollars. It is worth spending this money initially, this way you can have it installed professionally and enjoy the benefits of energy efficient mini split AC for year's to come.
But How easy are the units to install? Click Here To See An Easy Diagram Of How It Is Installed. To ensure an easy installation and fault free operation, we recommend the unit be installed by a professional HVAC installer.
WHISPER QUIET OPERATION is one of the many reasons why they are very popular. The indoor units are typically no noisier than a standard domestic fan, but as they do make some noise, consideration should be given to their location.
Ductless split system uses a high quality compressor and environmentally friendly "green" refrigerant to cool your home, and an innovative heat pump technology to keep your interiors warm in cold weather. The near silent operation is made possible by installing the compressor outside your home or offi ce. The air handler (indoor AC unit) in your dwelling is designed for ideal climate control, allowing you to cool or heat or dehumidify your interiors. You can conveniently adjust the fan speed, air flow direction, and oscillating louvers via remote control, or simply set the 24 hour timer for care free operation.
It is an amenity that has been designed to blend harmoniously with your home and offi ce interiors. These high performance, high quality appliances are offered in three beautiful designs. Unlike window mounted air conditioners of yesterday, the Ductless Split AC is mounted high up on walls, not in windows, preserving your outdoor views for all to enjoy. Click Here to see some examples .
These energy efficient units provide localized cooling and heating for certain parts of your home or office, rather than cooling or heating other areas that are not occupied. This localized climate control enables you to reduce your energy bills. SEER ratings we have is the best standard in industry and mini split AC's are most energy efficient AC's you can ever find.
A. Depening on various situations. The Ductless Split can be easily installed anywhere. In all cases, the drain pipe is pitched to the outside. In some cases, a condensate pump may be required.
A. Absolutely Yes. You can install the compressor on the roof or on the ground, would not make any difference. This is why mini splits are so convinient for installations. Check the installation diagram below.
A. The units are rated to work between 0-109°F or more depending upon the features you get
Vacuuming the lines is essential under any weather conditions. The actual procedure is dehydrating the lines with a vacuum pump. You are taking all the air and moisture out of the lines. There is moisture in any air at any given time, and it will get into any lines that were open. If you don't do this, the system may have a complete failure within weeks of operation.
NO.
Unit would not drain properly and water would flow into the unit shorting out controls.
A mini split air conditioner is a cost effective choice to central air conditioning. However, it is typically more expensive than a wall or window air conditioner and you need a professional to install it. Since the compressor sits outside the split air conditioner is very quiet and efficient. Since mini splits have no ducts, they avoid the energy losses associated with the ductwork of central forced air systems. Duct losses can account for more than 30% of energy consumption for space conditioning, especially if the ducts are in an unconditioned space such as an attic.
Mini split air conditioners are also sometimes easier to install than other types of air conditioning systems. For example, the hook-up between the outdoor and indoor units generally requires only a three inch hole through a wall for the conduit. Also, most manufacturers of this type of system can provide a variety of lengths of connecting conduits. So, if necessary, you can locate the outdoor unit as far away as 50 feet from the indoor evaporator. This makes it possible to cool rooms on the front side of a building or house with the compressor in a more advantageous or inconspicuous place on the outside of the building.
In comparison to other add-on systems, split air conditioners offer more flexibility in interior design options. The indoor air handlers can be suspended from a ceiling, mounted flush into a drop ceiling, or hung on a wall. Floor-standing models are also available. Most indoor units have profiles of about seven inches deep and usually come with sleek, high tech-looking jackets.
A. YES AND NO. If you are not sure what you are doing, you will end up installing it incorrectly and thereby will loose the warranty.
A. WHISPER QUIET OPERATION is one of the many reasons why they are very popular. The indoor units are typically no noisier than a standard domestic fan.
A. Ductless split system uses a high quality compressor and environmentally friendly "green" refrigerant to cool your home, and an innovative heat pump technology to keep your interiors warm in cold weather. The near silent operation is made possible by installing the compressor outside your home or office. The air handler (indoor AC unit) in your dwelling is designed for ideal climate control, allowing you to cool or heat or dehumidify your interiors. You can conveniently adjust the fan speed, air flow direction, and oscillating louvers via remote control, or simply configure the units for carefree operation.
A. It is an amenity that has been designed to blend harmoniously with your home and office interiors. Unlike window mounted air conditioners of yesterday, the Ductless Split AC is mounted high up on walls, not in windows, preserving your outdoor views for all to enjoy.
A. These energy efficient units provide localized cooling and heating for certain parts of your home or office, rather than cooling or heating other areas that are not occupied. This localized climate control enables you to reduce your energy bills. SEER ratings is the best standard for efficiency in the industry, and mini split ACs are the most energy efficient ACs you can ever find.
A. It depends on various situations. The type of evaporator (indoor unit) will be chosen based on the type of air distribution needed and if a condensate drain pump is required or not.
A. Absolutely Yes. You can install the compressor on the roof or on the ground.
A. The units are rated to work between -4°F to 110°F or more depending upon the features and model selected.
A. Vacuuming the lines is essential under any weather conditions. The actual procedure is dehydrating the lines with a vacuum pump. You are taking all the air and moisture out of the lines. There is moisture in any air at any given time, and it will get into any lines that were open. If you don't do this, the system may have a complete failure within weeks of operation.
A. No. Follow the Manufacturer recommended Installation Instructions included with the equipment.
A. Unit will not drain properly and water would flow into the unit, shorting out the controls.
A. A mini split air conditioner is a cost effective choice to central air conditioning. However, it is typically more expensive than a wall or window air conditioner and you need a professional to install it. Since the compressor sits outside the split air conditioner is very quiet and efficient. Since mini splits have no ducts, they avoid the energy losses associated with the ductwork of central forced air systems. Duct losses can account for more than 30% of energy consumption for space conditioning, especially if the ducts are in an unconditioned space such as an attic.
Mini split air conditioners are also sometimes easier to install than other types of air conditioning systems. For example, the hook-up between the outdoor and indoor units generally requires only a three inch hole through a wall for the conduit. Also, most manufacturers of this type of system can provide a variety of lengths of connecting conduits. So, if necessary, you can locate the outdoor unit as far away as 3280 feet (depends on the model selected; typically 100 feet without the need of adding additional refrigerant than the pre-charged amount) from the indoor evaporator. This makes it possible to cool rooms on the front side of a building or house with the compressor in a more advantageous or inconspicuous place on the outside of the building.
In comparison to other add-on systems, split air conditioners offer more flexibility in interior design options. The indoor air handlers can be suspended from a ceiling, mounted flush into a drop ceiling, or hung on a wall. Floor-standing models are also available. Most indoor units have profiles of about seven inches deep and usually come with sleek, high tech-looking jackets.
A. Yes it is. Refer to equipment documentation for further details.
A. If you have no other option and want to mount it lower, it's possible. However, the units effectiveness and efficiency are dramatically reduced. Always refer to equipment documentation for installation details.
A. Yes. Some models have several air filter options.
A. This depends on the model and its options.
A. Straight between condenser and evaporator (indoor unit) is ok.
A. Refer to Manufacturer Recommendations and local Electrical Codes.
A. 2 copper lines. Both lines need to be insulated.
A. They vary. This depends on the model and its options.
A. It is needed to supply power to the condenser outside only, since the condenser will then feed power to the inside evaporator.
|
