UNDERSTANDING THE DEFROST CYCLE OF YOUR HEAT PUMP

Understanding Defrost Cycle

During winter months many heat pumps will need to go through a “defrost” cycle during operation. Often this has not been explained well before installation, which leads to a lot of confusion about why the heat pump is not working. This document is provided to help users understand the defrosting cycle and address any concerns.

What is a “defrost cycle”?
In heating mode a heat pump extracts heat from the outside air and transfers it inside your premises to warm it. When the ambient temperature outside gets very cold (close to 0°C or below) the moisture in the air freezes on the outdoor unit’s heat exchanger as the fan blows the air across it. A defrost cycle is simply the system recognising that ice has formed or begun to form and automatically fixing this.

Why does my unit have to do a defrost cycle?
Any ice building up on the outside heat exchanger reduces the airflow across it, which will effect the efficiency, sometimes reducing it dramatically. In extreme cases this can also cause damage to the outdoor unit.

How do I tell if my unit is in a defrost cycle?
Inside you will notice the unit will stop heating, the indoor fan will stop and depending on the model there will usually be some form of visual indication like a light on the unit (usually the “run” light) will blink continuously. Outside, the outdoor fan will also have stopped and the compressor will be running.


How often will my unit go in to defrost mode?
There are a number of factors that influence how often a unit will go in to defrost mode. Some of these include:
The outdoor temperature and humidity
The amount of heating load the unit is trying to deliver
The condition of the heat pump system.
There are timers built in to the computer control of the unit that restrict how often defrosting can occur. Generally a unit must run for a minimum of around 35 minutes after starting up before completing its first defrost. From there defrosts should occur no more frequently than approximately every 35 minutes.

Once my unit is defrosting how long will it take?
Either of two factors can bring the unit out of a defrost cycle. Firstly, if the sensors on the outdoor unit detect that it’s heat exchanger temperature has risen enough, the unit will stop defrosting. Secondly, if the sensors do not stop it beforehand, the maximum time a unit will be in defrost cycle is around 10 minutes.

It is important not to stop the unit before the defrost cycle has ended, because if the unit is restarted shortly afterwards it will run very inefficiently and may cause damage to itself.


My unit is defrosting frequently / not delivering enough heat – what could be wrong?
Regular defrosting, or a lack of heat could be caused by a number of factors.

If the unit has operated like this since it was first installed (first cold snap), you may be operating it incorrectly or it may be undersized for the space it is trying to heat. Initially you should consult your instruction manual to ensure you are operating the unit correctly. If this doesn’t remedy the problem you should consult your installer or another reputable heat pump installer. They can assist you to ensure correct operation, and correct sizing.

If the unit is undersized for the space it is not faulty. The responsibility for correctly sizing the unit initially rests with the installing company – they will need to remedy the situation if the unit is too small.

A recently developed problem may be an indication of a fault or maintenance required. You can perform some basic maintenance yourself by cleaning the filters on your indoor unit, and ensuring that your outdoor unit is clear of foliage and the heat exchanger is not blocked. If this doesn’t remedy the problem you should consult your installer or another reputable heat pump installer.


Is there any way I can help to reduce defrosting?
Yes there certainly is. Keep your unit well maintained (as above) and ensure you are operating it correctly. This will help a lot.

Of course the less load you place on the unit the less frequently it will need to defrost in cold conditions. Ultimately permanent fixes such as installing insulation in ceilings, walls and under floors will help reduce your heating requirement (and ultimately save you money). More immediately, keeping doors closed and curtains drawn will also help to reduce your heating required.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website.

Lyric™ Wi-Fi Thermostat

What will the think of next?

The Lyric™ Wi-Fi thermostat delivers comfort at home and savings when you’re away, automatically, based on your smartphone’s location using geofencing technology. According to the company, the device features no complex menus, complicated programming, or a need to set schedules. The Fine Tune feature factors indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, and weather into its algorithm, enabling it to provide the most comfortable temperature for homeowners. Beyond a smartphone, the temperature can be managed using the company’s familiar round dial control on the thermostat itself. When a user approaches the unit, a built-in proximity sensor signals the display to turn on and show current temperature and the home’s heating or cooling status. A soft halo of light in orange (heating), blue (cooling), or green (away/energy savings) momentarily illuminates the thermostat to indicate it is making temperature adjustments. The unit will be available for retail in August 2014.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website.

Trilogy 45™ Q-Mode™ Variable Speed Geothermal Heat Pump

The Trilogy 45™ Q-Mode™ variable-speed geothermal heat pump system features efficiencies of 45 EER and offers convenient programming, monitoring, and control for homeowners and dealers over the Internet from any Wi-Fi-enabled device, according to the company. The unit’s patent pending Q-Mode technology reduces hot water operating costs by providing full-time, year-round domestic hot water heating at over 500 percent (5.0 COP) efficiency. According to the company, the Q-Mode technology also provides no-cost cooling by automatically drawing heat from a space into the unit’s iGate Smart Tank™ hot water storage tank. The tank’s polyethylene exterior further protects it from corrosion. Featuring iGate Connect™ technology, the Trilogy 45 Q-Mode residential geothermal heat pump system provides dealers with complete diagnostics and operating data via any Wi-Fi enabled device over the Internet.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website.

SecurityWebb™ A/C Security Solutions, LLC

No product available on the market can guarantee that a thief or vandal will not strip your HVAC unit of its copper. This product takes a multi-faceted approach to theft deterrence. The color is RED and when a thief sees the SecurityWebb™ on your HVAC unit, they are likely to move to an easier mark. This product utilizes unique high strength security hardware and cable that is nearly impossible to cut with a sawsall or remove from the unit. Tamper switches are provided to wire into a security system in case an attempt is made to damage your HVAC equipment.

This product is manufactured for installation in coastal locations utilizing hot-dipped galvanized, stainless steel and powder coated aluminum components.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website.

LIGHTNING STRIKES

Summer is upon us and it is time for the lightning strikes to increase. Have you thought about a surge protector for your home and your air conditioning system? Lightning and power surges can be very damaging and costly to a homeowner. Protect your investments. Call us for a quote on protecting your air conditioning system.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website.

Berner Intl. Corp.: Single-Length Air Curtains

Some interesting information. The air curtains are usually used in restaurants, retail stores, and commercial business.

Single-length 7-, 8-, 9-, and 10-foot-long models have been added to the ANSI/NSF 37-certified E-Zone and K-Zone (EZN and KZN Series) air curtains. The EZN and KZN Series are now available in nine widths ranging from 3-10 feet in length. Each new length model uses the same E-Zone/K-Zone 8-½-by-8-inch cabinet design. The air curtains are suitable for walk-in coolers, pass-thru windows, concession windows, patio openings, service/customer entry doors, and other doorways that need environmental control in the food service, dock-and-door, and HVACR markets. Available in custom colors and durable power-coat finishes. Multiple air directional vanes constructed of strong heavy-gauge aluminum assure proper deflection and airflow to the outdoor threshold, said the company. Universal mounting system offers flexible horizontal or vertical mounting options.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website.

UNLICENSED HVAC CONTRACTORS

Report from the Air Conditioning│Heating│Refrigeration News on unlicensed HVAC contractors which seems never to stop in all contractor fields, not just HVAC. This was published June 16, 2014:

While hiring an unlicensed HVAC contractor may present itself as a money-saving deal upfront, many homeowners experience a bevy of bad fortune through crooked craftsmanship, untrustworthy diagnosis, unreliable repairs, and more. These actions, and a number of other concerns, may quickly convert preconceived cash savings into an invaluable hassle.

“Individuals who work outside the laws and regulations are a scourge to this industry,” said Charlie McCrudden, senior vice president, government relations, ACCA. “They take advantage of lax enforcement of permitting rules, licensing requirements, and the Clean Air Act. Unfortunately, we’ll never know how pervasive the problem is, since it’s so difficult to keep track of how many individuals are posing as professional HVAC technicians.”

Contractor Impact
In a trade where reputation is everything, reputable contractors and associations are continuing to stress the importance of contractor licensing to homeowners and those operating without the proper licensing.

Rocco DiBenedetto, owner, All Air of South Dade, Homestead, Florida, is on the forefront of the issue. Since 2009, Miami-Dade County has ceased enforcement of code requirements for contractors. In response, DiBenedetto formed the Miami-Dade Contractors Alliance, which works to regain enforcement in a region where unlicensed workers are running amok.

“It’s destroyed our ability to be honest contractors,” DiBenedetto said. “We’re still honest and ethical, but we go to houses and they tell us we’re price gougers. We’re not, but nobody else charges the real price.”

DiBenedetto said it’s frequent to hear advertisements offering air conditioning systems for $1,800. “In Broward County, 20 minutes north of us, they have an active task force and issue hundreds of citations a month for unlicensed activity,” DiBenedetto said.

Although not every state requires a license, it’s critical for the overall credibility of contractors to gain one in states where licensing is required.

“The issue of state licensing re-quires someone to show capability, to show experience,” said Paul Wadsworth, president, P.K. Wadsworth Heating and Cooling, Solon, Ohio. “To have a state license is important. It shows the individual has studied his craft and knows something. It’s not just some guy who decided he was going to slap a magnet on the side of a pickup truck and all of a sudden he’s a contractor.”

Steve Lauten, president, Total Air and Heat Co., Plano, Texas, said when he took the state licensing exam many years ago, he felt the questions were valid. “Now they’re being told to write questions so the person with the worst skill set can answer them. It seems they’re trying to make the playing field the same for everybody,” he said.

Lauten pointed out that licensing, though, isn’t the end-all, be-all to being considered an ethical, quality contractor. “I think consumers are getting smarter, but the thing I’d mention is that just because your guy has a license, it doesn’t mean he’s going to do the job the way it should be done,” he said. “In Texas, we’re required to pull permits any time we’re within an incorporated city. And I would say on 90 percent of the jobs we bid, our state’s licensed competitors aren’t pulling permits.”

Evolution is a Mystery
As the HVAC industry continues to evolve beyond heating and air and into things such as IAQ and home-performance improvements, the role of a licensed, knowledgeable contractor is becoming even more important, said Wade Mayfield, president, Thermal Services Inc., Omaha, Nebraska, and chairman of the board of North American Technician Excellence (NATE).

“Technicians don’t just deal with heating and or cooling, they manage people’s livelihoods,” Mayfield said. “Properly licensed and trained technicians not only service and clean the units, they mitigate health hazards that exist in the home from IAQ problems, such as mold, toxins, carbon monoxide, etc. We also must realize that heating and air systems account for 30-40 percent of a home’s energy usage, so properly trained technicians have the skill set necessary to properly install and service the units in a way that optimizes energy efficiency.”

As the industry works to get its message across to consumers, some are taking notice, McCrudden said.

“Consumers are savvier about contractors, thanks to online review sites and media ‘sting’ operations that single out the bad actors,” McCrudden said. “As a result, their expectations are higher. And homeowners no longer call a contractor just when there’s a problem. The energy-saving improvement programs that incentivize an energy audit or pay rebates for upgrades have more homeowners thinking about ways to increase their system performance while saving money.”

In areas such as where DiBenedetto operates, though, it’s becoming tougher and tougher for the consumer to figure out who is licensed and insured as each day goes by without enforcement.

“If you decided you wanted to eat organic apples and you see there’s one that’s $5 and another that’s $2, how the hell do you distinguish between what’s organic and what’s not?” asked DiBenedetto. “There are tons of trucks running around with fake numbers on them. Those might as well be lottery numbers. The police don’t even know what’s real and what’s not. That’s how bad it is.”

Mayfield noted the issue of enforcement can often be a Catch-22 for contractors, as the only path to combat unlicensed contractors is through regulation, he said.

“It’s really a double-edged sword for contractors,” Mayfield said. “Contractors resist regulation, but need regulation matched with enforcement to offset unlicensed contractors. Done correctly, regulation in this context will protect the health and wellbeing of the public and allow licensed contractors to serve their customers at a high level.”

Importance of Licensing
As the industry continues to evolve, the credibility of hiring a licensed contractor is of the utmost importance, Wadsworth said, noting consumers really have a lot of due diligence to do these days.

“When I entered this trade 40 years ago, it was a much simpler business,” Wadsworth said. “The equipment was much simpler, much more straightforward. But, today, you have to know building science, sophisticated controls techniques, and so much more. That comes with requirements. You have to know how to correctly apply the latest technologies.”

DiBenedetto said his integrity and desire to adequately serve the customer will keep him from following in the footsteps of his Miami-Dade peers. “I’m not going to ask a guy to come in and do a great job for a customer and then tell him I’m going to 1099 him and ask him to work under shady conditions,” he said.

McCrudden referred to those working without a license in areas when licensing is required as bottom feeders, stating they drag down the image of upstanding contractors who follow industry-recognized standards.

Lauten said adequate licensing and following proper protocol is a key component to retaining the industry’s credibility with consumers.

“You’ll hear a lot of people say licensing doesn’t mean anything. I disagree. If plumbers and electricians have to be licensed, then air conditioning contractors should be licensed, too. There should be something that holds contractors accountable to doing jobs the way they should be done.”

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website.

SICK BUILDING SYNDROME

What an interesting article I found at the Air Conditioning│Heating│Refrigeration News, and wanted to share it with my readers.

n the 1990s, it seemed that everyone was talking about sick building syndrome (SBS) — it was on the news, in the paper, and, of course, in trade magazines. Speculation was rife over what was causing symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue in certain building occupants. After it came to light that inadequate ventilation was one of the primary causes of SBS, the HVAC industry started looking for solutions.

ASHRAE responded by creating Standard 62.1, “Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality,” and the industry started taking a closer look at other possible causes of SBS, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), proliferation of biological agents due to roofing or plumbing leaks and standing water in drain pans and ducts, radon, and air intakes placed near loading docks or parking garages. The industry worked hard to provide solutions for these — and other — issues, and after a few years, SBS gradually faded from the headlines. But SBS is far from being eradicated; indeed, it is still a concern that many HVAC professionals grapple with every day.

Terminology
One reason why SBS is not discussed as frequently these days may be that a more specific term has emerged to describe a similar problem. Building related illness (BRI) is now used to describe specific symptoms that can be attributed to a known contaminant or irritant within the building, said Alex Stadtner, president and building biologist, Healthy Building Science, San Francisco. SBS is essentially a collection of unrelated symptoms that originate for an unknown reason in at least 20 percent of the a building’s occupants.

“BRI is generally an allergic reaction or infection, and specific symptoms include cough, chest tightness, fever, chills, and muscle aches. The symptoms may continue after occupants have left the building, and the cause of symptoms is known,” said Stadtner. “Humidifier fever, Legionnaires’ disease, skin rashes, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and other illnesses related to bacteria, fungus (mold), and viruses are often classified as BRI, not SBS.”

By definition, SBS is unspecific, as one single factor cannot be identified as causing occupant symptoms, said Pawel Wargocki, Ph.D., associate professor at the Technical University of Denmark and chairman of ASHRAE’s Environmental Health Committee. “We know that poor indoor conditions are responsible for SBS symptoms, including thermal discomfort (temperatures that are too high), elevated exposures to contaminants due to poor source control and/or inadequate ventilation, etc. The symptoms are generally reported more often by women as well as in buildings with air conditioning. Poor maintenance and/or the presence of moisture in the HVAC systems is clearly the high risk factor for SBS symptoms.”

Because there are a number of indoor environmental conditions that can cause SBS, contractors may be reluctant to use such a broad term to describe a problem, said Ellis G. Guiles Jr., vice president and owner, TAG Mechanical Systems, Syracuse, New York. “For instance, over the last year, we’ve been working with a client whose building has an intermittent odor issue. Initially we wouldn’t call this SBS, but the odor has gotten worse over the last two years, and the occupants are complaining more frequently. Now, I would place it in the SBS category for the very simple fact that the building has an indoor environmental issue that is impacting the quality of the experience of people using the building.”

Awareness
Better awareness may be another reason why we don’t hear much about SBS anymore. As Wargocki noted, “We know some of the potential risks, and we are attempting to deal with them; however, there is still a lot we have to do and learn. We need to be consistent and scrupulous and apply what we have learned so far about avoiding highly emitting materials and dirty ventilation filters, for example.”

There are many cases in which SBS symptoms could be mitigated, such as reducing ozone and the products of ozone chemistry indoors, said Wargocki. Distracting noise in open plan offices is another issue, as are temperatures that are too high. “Not to mention, too little attention is paid to the quality and maintenance of HVAC systems, which require not only regular cleaning, but also regular tests against the design values. Adequate ventilation is certainly important but should not be considered to be a ‘magic bullet’ that can solve all problems related with SBS symptoms. There are many other economical methods to make it happen.”

ASHRAE Standard 62.1 has also had an impact, as it has served to educate designers and builders about best practices for ventilation, said Stadtner. “It has helped tremendously in commercial buildings, because the vast majority of SBS/BRI cases do involve the ventilation system. Whether it’s insufficient or polluted outdoor air supply, inadequate exhaust of point-source contaminants that create cold spots for condensation and inadequate dehumidification, or simply the ventilation system creating the pressure or pathway for contaminants to traverse through a building — the ventilation system is almost always involved.”

A growing awareness of building science is slowly leading to better building techniques, as well, which may be reducing the cases of SBS. “I believe the most promising and exciting development in this arena is the establishment of clear standards for Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx),” said Stadtner. “This system institutionalizes building science reviews into the design process and ensures quality control verification during installation of key elements that are common to building failures. It’s a great advancement that will revolutionize the commercial construction trades in the coming decades.”

Better building materials are another key element, as many of the early cases of SBS/BRI were related to items such as carpet and paint, which were off-gassing chemicals that created symptoms in occupants. “A growing movement toward healthy building materials and material ingredient transparency is helping to move the industry toward better alternatives,” said Stadtner. “We still get calls about new carpet or paint smells, and some occupants very clearly get headaches (BRI) from the off-gassing of some building materials. More stringent standards are unrolling every year, and I trust this trend will continue with top-down pressure [regulations] and bottom-up demand.”

Guiles noted that while many of his clients are becoming more aware and concerned about their comfort and IAQ, most building owners/managers still take a “wait until complaints” approach. “Even in buildings such as hospitals, where you would expect to find a more proactive approach, this doesn’t always happen because of economic factors being considered by the administrators.”

Another issue that may delay the diagnosis of SBS is the tendency of doctors to prescribe medication to treat symptoms rather than finding the underlying cause. Stadtner uses asthma as an example, noting that doctors have become much better at ameliorating the symptoms through modern medicine, but they do not always address the underlying cause. “When these kids tell their doctors that they feel worse in the morning or evening, the doctor tells them to use an inhaler before going to bed or right when they get up in the morning, rather than asking more detailed questions about why the symptoms are occurring at that time of day. Doctors should suggest an air quality inspection to identify and address the cause of the problem instead of simply medicating patients who so clearly suffer in one particular building.”

Opportunities
While better awareness has helped minimize issues related to poor indoor environmental quality, Guiles still sees far more buildings with HVAC systems that are not operating correctly and building envelopes that have problems. “This leads me to believe there are more issues than are really being discussed, and that the majority of people haven’t connected the dots between how they feel and the buildings they live, work, and play in.”

For this reason, SBS can be a great opportunity for HVAC contractors, who could be proactive and offer to perform testing and balancing on a regular basis for their customers in order to stay ahead of any problems. “Of course, contractors should be checking the drain lines and making sure the coils aren’t dirty and replacing the filters. But it’s also an opportunity for them to reengage with the owner about how the system is working and optimizing it over time,” said Stadtner.

And having that on-going conversation with building owners and managers is important because even with better building materials and more awareness, there will always be cases of BRI or SBS, said Wargocki. “There are many new buildings that are energy efficient, but people still complain. Contractors should, at a minimum, follow the recommendations in ASHRAE’s Indoor Air Quality Guide and GreenGuide and make sure their customers’ buildings are well commissioned and maintained. That will help, but unfortunately, new pollutants are introduced indoors at a very high rate, and many chemicals can be toxic and cause SBS. We only learn about them when people get sick in actual buildings.”

This means there will always be an opportunity in this area for contractors, because SBS/BRI can occur in any kind of building, and every market has a need for environmental assessments.

Publication date: 5/12/2014

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website.

MITSUBISHI MINI-SPLIT DUCTLESS SYSTEM

Comfort Control

Below you will find some interesting information from Mitsubishi:

Control your comfort...in every room.

Freedom to control your comfort in each and every room. Simply set the temperature for each room with an easy-to-use controller

INVERTER-driven compressor technology in the outdoor unit delivers precise indoor comfort in each conditioned room with consistent temperature and total control

Our indoor systems operate as low as 19dBs; quieter than a human whisper
i-see™ Sensor detects real-time temperature disparities within a room and automatically adjusts airflow to compensate and perfect comfort

H2i® hyper-heating INVERTER technology provides tremendous heating capabilities when outside ambient temperatures are -13° F to make sure your home is warm and comfortable, even on the coldest days

It's possible to transform any room in your home or your entire home into an oasis of comfort; cool and dry in the summer and warm and cozy in the winter. Mitsubishi Electric gives you precise temperature control even in spaces you thought would be impossible to fix. Thanks to our advanced INVERTER-driven compressor technology and smart, easy-to-use controls, you can achieve consistent temperatures throughout the room as you are saving energy all year long, year after year.

How it works

Controlling your comfort is easy. Just use the smart remote controller to get your perfect temperature with the touch of a button. Adjust your mode of operation between COOL, HEAT, DRY or AUTO. AUTO mode will automatically decide if you need cooling or heating delivered to the space to maintain the set temperature. You can even adjust fan speed and the direction of the vane (on applicable units.) Everything you need to control your comfort is right there in your room with you; not in another room or a different floor. Comfort control - room by room.

Our INVERTER-driven compressor in the outdoor unit maximizes efficiency by automatically changing its speed to match the cooling and heating needs of a room. This technology allows us to ramp up compressor speed to quickly cool or heat a room (or multiple rooms) and reduce the compressor speed to maintain the ideal comfort level, while using less energy. This innovative system differs from conventional systems, which start and stop repetitively causing temperature variations and wasting energy.

This feature is just one of the smart technological advances that make the Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating systems superior to other comfort conditioning options.

The advances in the heating performance of our systems are remarkable. Our H21® hyper-heating INVERTER technology can heat effectively even when temperatures outside are as low as -13° F. H2i systems can provide up to 100% heating capacity at 5° F and are extremely efficient. In fact, many qualify for ENEREGY STAR. Plus all of our heat pump systems feature Hot Start technology that delivers hot air from the very start of operation; that means no cold blasts or drafts.
Our i-see™ Sensor automatically detects temperature disparities in a room, typically closer to the ceiling and the floor. It scans the room's ambient temperature readings and automatically adjusts airflow in the room. This process ensures that you always enjoy uniform comfort throughout the room.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website.

Poor Ductwork Design and Sealing Can Send Your Conditioned Air Astray: Three Factors To Consider

A home’s poor ductwork design and inadequate sealing can account for significant energy loss on a daily basis. The problem is, you’re the one paying for that energy. With that in mind, it’s time to assess whether your conditioned air is safe within your ducts.

Here are three factors to consider:

Design.
If your ductwork wasn’t designed with certain aspects of your home’s floor plan in mind, your conditioned air may be leaking out. Common problems include ducts that are stretched too tight or kinked to be maneuvered around obstructions, as well as ducts that are installed too close to appliances that could affect the temperature or quality of the air inside.

Sealing.
Duct leaks can cause you to lose as much as 20 percent of your conditioned air. While you can inspect and seal accessible duct leaks on your own, a heating and cooling professional can do a more thorough job, reaching ducts that you cannot, such as those hidden behind walls and ceilings. Common issues include loose connections and rips and tears in flexible ductwork. These can be sealed using duct mastic or metal-backed tape.

Insulation.
In most homes, large sections of ductwork run through unconditioned areas such as the attic, basement or crawl space. Extreme temperatures in these areas can affect your conditioned air. With proper insulation, however, you can reduce energy loss in such situations.

If you suspect you’re losing energy through ill-conceived, leaky or exposed ducts, contact one of our trained technicians for a professional assessment. Using our training, experience and specialized tools of the trade, we can determine where your problems lie and help you form a plan of Action.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website

IS IT TIME TO REPLACE AN HVAC SYSTEM? SIX TIPS TO HELP YOU DECIDE!

Much like buying a new car or upgrading a large appliance, you want to be sure you have received the most from your existing equipment before you make a major investment. However, if you wait too long, costly repairs and poor performance could end up being more expensive. The same is true when you decide to replace an HVAC system: you want to get the most from your existing equipment while avoiding breakdowns and discomfort.

Of course, nobody can predict the future, so this can sometimes be a difficult decision to make. Use these six tips to help you decide when to replace an HVAC system:

•Equipment age: If you have had your Air handler, furnace or Heat Pump for 15 years or longer, it is probably time to consider an upgrade. New models are much more efficient and replacing your equipment before it breaks can save you a lot of stress and discomfort.

•Increasing energy bills: Although fuel and electricity are getting more expensive, as your equipment ages it will become less efficient and cost more each month to operate. Your contractor can help you compare monthly usage to costs to help you determine whether your HVAC system is getting more expensive to run.

•Frequent repairs: If you have had any necessary repairs in the past two years it is a sign of equipment aging and may be time to replace an HVAC system.

•Strange noises: Any odd noises coming from your HVAC system should be examined by a professional. Another sign to watch for is excessive running of the blower fan.

•Home comfort: Do you achieve home comfort in every room in your home?

•Humidity levels: If you experience extreme humidity or dryness in your home, you may benefit from new equipment that has more advanced features.
If you are ready to replace an HVAC system in your home or business, call the trained professionals at Action Heating and Air Conditioning for expert installation and maintenance.

We’ll help you properly evaluate your cooling and heating needs so you can get the most from your new investment. Serving Northeast Florida, we’re always happy to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Ventilation and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website.

Nest Issues Consumer Safety Notice

PALO ALTO, Calif. — Nest Labs Inc. has issued a consumer safety notice for its Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide detector after recent laboratory testing showed the Nest Wave feature, which enables the user to turn off the alarm with “a wave of the hand,” could be “unintentionally activated,” causing a delay in the alarm going off in the event of a real fire.

In a letter to the Nest community, Nest CEO Tony Fadell said the company feels “the best and safest thing to do is to immediately disable the Nest Wave feature to resolve the issue and remove any safety concerns,” even though they are “not aware of any customers who have experienced this.” In the meantime, Nest has halted sales of all new Nest Protect alarms “to ensure no one buys an alarm that needs an immediate update.”

Fadell also issued the following instructions to Nest Protect owners in order to resolve the safety issue:

• If you have a Nest Protect connected to a Nest account via Wi-Fi: Within 24 hours, Nest Wave will be automatically disabled. You don’t need to do anything, and even with this feature disabled, our smoke alarm will continue to work very effectively, monitoring for increased levels of smoke and CO in the home.

• If you have a Nest Protect that is not connected to a Nest account, or have since taken it offline: It’s very important that you immediately connect your Nest Protect to your Nest account so we can remotely disable Nest Wave. Detailed instructions on how to connect your Nest Protect to the Nest Account quickly and easily can be found at www.nest.com.

• If you have a Nest Protect that is not connected to a Nest account and do not have access to Wi-Fi: If you are unable to immediately connect to a Nest account, please discontinue use of your Nest Protect and we will give you a complete refund. To claim your refund, visit www.nest.com/
contact/refund.

• If you want to buy a Nest Protect: Nest Wave is on by default in every alarm we sell. To ensure no one buys an alarm that needs an immediate update, we’ve decided to stop all sales while we fix this issue. For updates on availability, please check nest.com.

Fadell said the Nest Wave feature will be enabled again “once we have a solution that ensures Nest Wave works as intended,” which “will only happen after extensive testing and once we have received approval from safety agencies in the U.S., Canada, and U.K.” Fadell said the process will take at least two or three months and apologized for the inconvenience while offering a complete refund to those who do not wish to keep their Nest Protect

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our websit

Quality Flow Controls LLC: Brass and Copper Isolation Valve

Some interesting information for service technicians.
Installation of the 2-Port Isolation Valve (2PIV) provides quick and easy refrigerant leak detection in evaporators, condenser coils, and refrigerant line sets. According to the manufacturer, faster results are now possible when searching for leaks in hard-to-reach locations, such as ceilings, walls, attics, or crawl spaces, providing 100 percent successful results for the technician. Valves are brazed on the suction and liquid lines, just ahead of the evaporator and condenser. Service gauges are connected to the valves. The system is then pressurized with nitrogen, and each valve closed, isolating the four circuits, providing easy determination of the leak’s location through pressure loss. Easily installed in any position or direction, the 2PIV can remain in place without any loss of performance to the system, the company said. The method saves time and money by eliminating guesswork. HVAC companies now have the ability to flat rate this task, said the manufacturer.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website

Dayton Reliable Air Filter: Panel Air Filter

An interesting article we wanted to share with our followers:

Made of post-consumer products, the Eco Green panel air filter features two layers of polyester heat sealed around a metal grid. The air inlet side of the filter is a white, multidenier coarse polyester. The air exit side of the filter is a green fine-denier tackified polyester made using recycled plastic pop bottles with an internal wire made of recycled metal. With the dual layers of media, the adhesive stops and retains respirable particles such as microorganisms, dust, and allergens. The filter features a low initial resistance to airflow, minimizing energy consumption, and a MERV 8 efficiency. It depth loads, giving it high dust-holding capacity and is UL standard 900 tested and approved. The self-sealing edge seal eliminates dirty air bypass. The filter’s total face is utilized. The filter media will not support the growth of bacteria, the company said.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website

Leak Freeze™

Leak Freeze™ is the leading Air Conditioning and Refrigerant leak repair solution in the U.S. today. Our HVACR repair was invented with American know-how and is manufactured by a company owned right here in the USA. A/C Leak Freeze™ is revolutionizing the AC leak repair world because it uniquely stops leaks of refrigerant gas in HVACR air conditioning and refrigeration systems in homes and commercial buildings.

A/C Leak Freeze™ is inert until it mixes with the refrigerant. A/C Leak Freeze™ is activated by refrigerant escaping at the site of a leak —forming a permanent seal. A/C Leak Freeze™ is compatible with all standard refrigerant gases. It’s polymer-free, tested to be non-clogging to the AC compressor and recovery unit — it’s a permanent fix.

A/C Leak Freeze™ with Magic Frost provides all the benefits of A/C Leak Freeze™ plus extends compressor life and reduces noise, improves AC system lubrication and reduces friction. It cleans and revitalizes the AC system while reducing energy consumption. A/C Leak Freeze™ with Magic Frost enhances the performance of older AC systems.

It is the perfect refrigerant leak solution for AC repair, fridge repair or any HVACR repair.

We have used a similar product and have had good results. We have not tried this product, so we cannot tell you that it will solve a leak issue.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website

HVAC Equipment Shipments Spike in 2013

Some interesting news from the Air Conditioning|Heating|Refrigeration News:

HVACR equipment was selling in 2013. In fact, some would describe 2013 as a banner year for HVACR shipments. According to the Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), shipments of residential storage water heaters, commercial storage water heaters, warm-air furnaces, central air conditioners, and air-source heat pumps increased in 2013, when compared to comparable data recorded in 2012.

Things are Looking Up

The numbers support the growing consensus in the industry that things are definitely improving. At the 2014 AHR Expo, held this January in New York City, Steve Yurek, president and CEO at AHRI, agreed that manufacturers are feeling more optimistic than they were a year ago.

“I think everybody’s feeling pretty good about 2013 — it was a good year for the industry,” Yurek said in a recent NEWSmaker podcast. “I think everyone is [feeling] very positive. I think the industry itself … has a positive outlook for 2014, both in the residential and commercial space.”

Francis Dietz, vice president of public affairs, AHRI, said the organization is happy with the shipment data and hopes to see the trend continue

"We are pleased to see an uptick in shipments in the year-to-date numbers for these products,” he said. “[We] hope it bodes well for the industry as a whole in 2014 and beyond.”

According to the data, which was released in February, equipment shipments increased in every category AHRI tracks, but one — oil warm-air furnaces, which decreased 10.7 percent to 32,144 in 2013, compared with 35,980 units shipped during the same period in 2012.

U.S. shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps increased 9.9 percent to 6,169,700 units in 2013, up from 5,613,665 units shipped in 2012. Year-to-date shipments of central air conditioners increased 7.3 percent to 4,201,068 units, up from 3,915,869 units shipped during the same period in 2012. Year-to-date heat pump shipments increased 16.0 percent to 1,968,632 units, up from 1,697,796 units shipped in 2012.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website

PORTABLE HEAT PUMPS

Just some information I wanted to share with our readers.

Less than 30 inches wide, the PACSlim-5 portable heat pump delivers 57,100-Btuh cooling capacity and 55,700-Btuh heating capacity. It may be used for outdoor spot cooling and heating or for indoor areas such as offices and conferences rooms, lobbies, stores, classrooms, health care facilities, and more. The PACSlim-5 can be used as a portable cooling unit only, a cooler with electric resistive heat, a conventional heat pump, or heat pump with auxiliary electric heat. Units are available in either 208-230-V single-phase or triple-phase, or 460-V triple-phase power supply, with or without 10- or 15-kW resistive heat. Features include lockable casters and removable 16-inch supply and return duct collars. The unit is factory-charged with an environmentally friendly refrigerant. A secure, weather-tight control panel and
color-coded Camlock power connectors contribute to the unit’s installation and maintenance ease. Options include a remote thermostat or condensate pump. The PACSlim-5 has an operating range of 65°-115°F in the cooling mode. In the heating function, the range can vary depending on the mode (electric heat versus heat pump).

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website

GPS in SERVICE VEHICLES

Here at Action Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., all of our vehicles are equiped with a GPS Tracking device. We find it very helpful to keep in touch with our technicians and to better serve our customers. An example would be when a customer calls in to the office and would like an estimated time of arrival at their residence. We can pull the vehicle up on the computer and find the location of that vehicle. The GPS enables us to track the amount of time a vehicle is on a job. This is very helpful with billable hours. The GPS tracking system has improved our business.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website.

WINTER MAINTENANCE

There is still plenty of time to call and set up a maintenance on your system. Give our office a call and we will explain our Action USA (Ultimate Savings Agreement) Service Agreements. Choose one that fits your budget. We service and repair all makes and models.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website

HEAT PUMP DEFROST CYCLE/MODE

When the weather is colder, we get a lot of call from our customers stating that they saw smoke coming out of their outside heat pump condensing unit and there is ice on the unit. My first question to them usually is, "Is it ICE, or is it FROST?" Then they usually respond that it is frost. So I explain to them that the heat pump is in the defrost cycle/mode and it was steam, not smoke, that they saw and NOT to turn the system off because this is a normal function of the heat pump system.

When a homeowner sees a puff of steam coming out of their heat pump condensing unit, and it is a cold day, the heat pump is probably in the "defrost cycle/mode". The defrost cycle/mode is a normal function of a heat pump system in colder weather. Icing/frosting on a heat pump condenser is normal in cooler weather. The outdoor unit, which is normally an air conditioner, reverses the process and becomes a heater. In the heating mode, the outdoor coil becomes cooler than the outdoor air in order to absorb heat from the outdoor air and pump it indoors. The heat pump has a defrost cycle/mode that will reverse the heat pump back to the air conditioning mode when it detects ice/frost on the outdoor coil. In the cooling mode, the outdoor coil is hot from the heat absorbed from the indoor air. The hot outdoor coil melts the ice and then the defrost control returns the heat pump to the heating mode. During the defrost cycle/mode, the indoor coil is cold, so the auxiliary heat is used to temper the cooler air.

If you see ice (about a 1/4" thick), turn your thermostat to the auxilary/emergency heat mode and call your service provider.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website.

Air Scrubber Plus: Air Purification System

Applicable in homes, hospitals, schools, offices, and more, the Air Scrubber Plus® with ActivePure™ technology cleans, freshens, and purifies the air using specialized germicidal UV light waves along with a proprietary catalytic process that creates enviroscrubbing molecules of oxygen and hydrogen. It cleans the air and surfaces of a home or building, reducing up to 99 percent of surface microorganisms and a dramatic amount of airborne contaminants and allergens, said the manufacturer. The system works via a combination of UV light, oxygen, and water molecules reacting together and passing through the honeycomb cell coated with a proprietary formulation of non-nano titanium dioxide and other highly reactive metals. The oxidation process produces superoxide ions, hydroxyls, and hydrogen peroxide, which in turn cleans the air and surfaces in the indoor environment. It has a simple installation process that allows it to be incorporated into virtually any indoor heating and cooling system according to the company.


Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website.

SLICK LOCKS

Welcome to 2014. We hope you had a very nice Christmas and continue to have a great New Year.

Along with homeowners protecting their equipment, we in the service field also have to protect our investments. Below is an article we found that is quite interesting.

The commercial vehicle locking system, Slick Locks, is a no-drill puck lock security system. The system’s patented blade bracket design uses stainless steel hasps that pass between a vehicle’s doors and easily bolts to existing factory mounting points. According to the manufacturer, work vehicle security is a major issue for contractors, tradesmen, and fleet managers, due, in part, to remote job sites and valuable equipment that is stored inside the trucks. The locking systems install rapidly and are a cost-effective way to meet a truck fleet’s security needs, said the company. The Slick Locks locking systems are available for work vehicles, including the Ford Transit Connect, full-size Ford Econoline, and Chevy Express in both sliding and 60/40 hinged-door models.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics, click here to visit our website.