TECHNICAL TERMS (continued)

AHU
An air handler, or air handling unit (often abbreviated to AHU), is a device used to condition and circulate air as part of a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. An air handler is usually a large metal box containing a blower, heating or cooling elements, filter racks or chambers, sound attenuators, and dampers. Air handlers usually connect to a ductwork ventilation system that distributes the conditioned air through the building and returns it to the AHU. Sometimes AHUs discharge (supply) and admit (return) air directly to and from the space served without ductwork.

Small air handlers, for local use, are called terminal units, and may only include an air filter, coil, and blower; these simple terminal units are called blower coils or fan coil units. A larger air handler that conditions 100% outside air, and no recirculated air, is known as a makeup air unit (MAU). An air handler designed for outdoor use, typically on roofs, is known as a packaged unit (PU) or rooftop unit (RTU).

AHRI
Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, a non-profit, voluntary organization composed of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration manufacturers. AHRI publishes standards for testing and rating heat pumps and air conditioners.

TECHNICAL TERMS

In the next few days, I am going to explain some technical terms pertaining to your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)system:

There are many technical terms used in the description of Heat Pump systems; most of them are self-explanatory, but I will help to explain what they mean. We will do a few a day.

Heat Pump: A heat pump is a device for transferring energy in the form of useful heat from one place to another. It cannot store, make or destroy heat energy – it simply moves it. There are a number of techniques that exploit heat transfer; the commonest in use is the Refrigeration Cycle. A heat pump is capable of transforming a large quantity of low grade, low temperature heat. Some air source systems will operate in winter ambient conditions down to -15ºC. Heat pumps are available that can operate in a variety of media Air, Water, glycol, etc.

Heating Only Heat Pump: Ground Source heat pump systems are often optimised specially to deliver heating only. These units are often capable of delivering greater overall energy efficiencies than reversible units because the system is designed for a constant unvarying load above the freezing point of water at the evaporator section and can dispense with the Defrost Cycle.

Visit with me tomorrow and learn more.

PROTECT YOUR HVAC EQUIPMENT

NOW YOU SEE IT!!

NOW YOU DON'T!

The theft of construction supplies and building materials containing copper and other precious metals continues to grow across the nation. This includes your heat pump or air conditioning system.

Although the incidence of metal theft tends to be greater during periods of high commodity prices for copper and other metals, it is a problem that never disappears. With the current price of copper above $3.60 a pound, HVACR contractors and their customers are a frequent target.

There are laws that make this a federal crime, but criminals do not usually care about what laws are in effect. There are also mandated documents that must be submitted when scrapping metals that make it harder for criminals to dispose of their stolen good.

This is all well and good, but give us a call and we can speak with you about different ways to protect your heating and air conditioning system. For instance, there are cables that can protect your equipment, cages, and your equipment can be linked to your alarm 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.

Energy Saving Ideas for the Season

With energy prices rising across the country, now is a good time to learn how to use energy wisely. Here are some simple tips to help you reduce your energy consumption:

In Winter
• During the winter months, set your thermostat at 68 degrees fahrenheit during the day and 60 degrees fahrenheit at night. You can save 3 percent on your heating costs for every degree you reduce the temperature below 70 degrees fahrenheit.

Special Advice to Heat Pump Owners:
Heat pumps need to stay at a constant setting, unless you have a programmable electronic heat pump thermostat with adaptive recovery. Check with your heating or air conditioning contractor to determine the type of thermostat you have.

• Winterize windows with weather stripping (for all moveable joints) and caulk (for non-moving parts). Also, install a window kit to the inside of your windows to help keep cold air out and warm air in.
• Change filters once a month. A well-maintained heating system can save money and increase the comfort level in your home.
• When you cozy up to a crackling fire on a cold winter day, you may be losing more heat than you are generating if your fireplace is not airtight.
• Inspect ductwork for any air leakage. If you do feel air leaking at joints give us a call so we can check it out. You could save up to 10 percent of your heating costs by eliminating those leaks.

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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The "Fiscal Cliff tax agreement" has allowed for the extension of the previously expired 25C tax credit which could get our customers up to 10% of the installed cost of qualifying new, high efficiency heating & cooling equipment, with a maximum credit of $500. And these credits are now retroactive to January, 2012.

For customers who install qualifying equipment in 2013, the tax credit would be seen when 2013 taxes are filed.

Give our office a call for more information.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

All of us at Action Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

"DIRTY SOCK SYNDROME"

What is “Dirty Sock Syndrome?”

Do you get a mildew-type odor when your HVAC system first starts up? If so, this article may explain some of the reasons for that odor.

From information gathered over many years, most professionals agree “Dirty Sock Syndrome” is caused by a bacteria that collects and grows on the indoor coils of heat pumps and air conditioners.

Complaints normally surface when heat pumps go into defrost or when systems are run in heating for a brief time then switched back into cooling. The bacteria or odor collects and grows on the coil during this heating time and is released all at once when the indoor coil gets cool and damp. Heat pump owners notice the odor when the system goes into defrost, usually when the outdoor temperature dips below 40 degrees. Heat pumps and air conditioners experience the problem when the air conditioner is turned back on after the heating has been used. Our climate can require heating in the morning and cooling in the afternoon which is a perfect condition for a complaint to surface.

Most customers describe the odor as a musky, dirty, locker room smell. The problem is similar to an odor that is blown out of a car air conditioner when the AC has not been used for a while.

It is very important to properly identify the problem before any action can be taken, since many odor problems are incorrectly labeled as a dirty sock problem. Eliminate dirty drain pans holding water, drain lines connected to plumbing system without adequate traps or dry traps, return air leaks in ductwork or chases, or dead animals in ductwork or near the living space. If the odor is present ALL the time, especially during heat, the problem is NOT a dirty sock syndrome complaint. Dirty sock complaints only smell when the indoor coil gets cool and the bacteria releases its odor into the air stream.

The Dirty Sock Syndrome plagues 0.5 to 2 percent of heat pumps in the southern states, with Texas being on the lower side of the percentage. The syndrome is not brand specific, with all manufacturers acknowledging complaints. The problem itself is sporadic and limited to isolated households and is somehow related to the living style or products in the home. This can be proven as Trane and other manufacturers have documented changing out systems with new product and the complaint returns. After removing a ‘stinky’ unit from a complaint house, the unit can be cleaned and installed elsewhere without complaint surfacing. Changing the brand of equipment is met with a similar lack of success. In one instance a complaining customer underwent a divorce and when one of them moved out of the home, the problem went away.

Much effort and expense has been given by the industry to research and solve this syndrome, and Trane alone admits to spending tens of thousands of dollars in their effort. In an effort to determine what in these homes could create the complaints, Trane has taken numerous air samples looking for a common denominator with no successful results.

Once the problem has been properly identified, action can then be taken to resolve or reduce the complaint, starting with a thorough cleaning of the evaporator coil with a non-acid coil cleaner. Cleaning will bring the system back to normal and will usually prevent a complaint for the rest of the heating season. Some systems cleaned early in the season or those having more of a problem may have repeated problems during the same season, especially if the weather conditions force a system back and forth from heating to cooling. The majority of complaints are resolved with a thorough cleaning.

If the coil cleaning does not resolve the complaint to a satisfactory level, the next suggested action would be to clean the coil again and apply a coating of Alathene II, a special spray designed to continuously protect coils from fouling caused by airborne contaminates. If seasonal cleanings or the application of Alathene II does not resolve the complaint, as a last resort, your coil may need to be replaced.

Dirty Sock Syndrome complaints can be quite emotional and are generally aimed at the equipment manufacturer. Hopefully this information will educate our customers to the real cause of the problem: Airborne Contaminants that are circulated into the heating and air conditioning system via the return air duct system.