News - United CoolAir

May 4, 2022 by Matt Hanson

BTUs in Air Conditioning

When it comes to air conditioning, calculating BTUs is an essential part of determining the size of the unit. A BTU or British Thermal Unit is the measure of heat energy that comes from a thermal unit and an Imperial Gallon is 10 pounds in weight. Therefore, a BTU is 1/10 of an Imperial Gallon or one pound of water at sea level and a BTU will raise water temperature one degree Fahrenheit. However, in air-conditioning, we are not changing water temperature, but the temperature of the air. While the metric system has taken over most industries, BTUs in air conditioning remains the standard due to their significance in heating and cooling.

What does a BTU do?

Simply put, a BTU measurement shows how much energy an AC unit uses to remove heat from a space within an hour. This allows HVAC techs to determine what size HVAC units should be installed. When an HVAC tech determines BTU usage, they must account for many factors. Every BTU has a corresponding tonnage, which has nothing to do with weight but is in reference to a unit’s cooling capacity.

A ton of cooling known as refrigeration is the amount of heat it takes to melt a pound of ice in a 24-hour period. Furthermore, 12,000 BTUs is equal to one ton of cooling and there are guidelines for how many BTUs are needed for the square footage of a space. Also, heat in air conditioning is referring to energy and not temperature. Air conditioning systems simply move energy from one place to another.

Square Fee	BTUs
100-150	5,000
150-250	6,000
250-300	7,000
300-350	8,000
350-400	9,000
400-450	10,000
450-500	12,000
500-700	14,000
700-1,000	18,000
1,000-1,200	21,000
1,200-1,400	23,000
1,400-1,500	24,000
1,500-2,000	30,000
2,000-2,500	34,000

Here is a resource to quickly calculate the BTUs needed.

Calculator

Conclusion

Many factors go into choosing an HVAC system and BTUs are just one factor in this calculation. It also helps in determining kilowatts which has a direct impact on energy costs. Equally important are room size, aspects of insulation, humidity levels, ceiling height, window size, and room occupancy. Being informed of all these factors make sure the perfect sized HVAC unit is installed to serve the cooling needs.

March 17, 2022 by Matt Hanson

Commercial vs Residential HVAC

While the commercial and residential HVAC industries have similarities there are differences as well. No matter what type of HVAC being deployed, the purpose always comes down to cooling, heating, dehumidification, and ventilation. Some of the key differences involve size, location and manufacturing. While there are HVAC manufacturers that specialize in one or the other, some companies are more specialized. Whichever industry is in question there are key things to know about when it comes to commercial vs residential HVAC.

Residential HVAC

Residential HVAC systems are what cools and heats homes and small businesses. Fundamentally, these systems operate the same as commercial units. These unit are often split between the evaporator and condenser section and located outdoors beside the home. Other times the location is an attic or crawl space. These use of these types of units is most heavily in the Summer and Winter months.

The residential market accounts for roughly 40 percent of the HVAC market. Furthermore, servicing these units occurs by a single contractor. Residential units are usually smaller than commercial units and are easier to service. As a repair technician there is much more contact with the owner of the unit than with commercial.

Commercial HVAC

Commercial HVAC systems have the same functions as residential but are instead, installed in corporate and industrial buildings of all sizes. These units are very large and located on rooftops but there are also modular packaged units that are installed indoors. These units usually involve contractors and architects in the planning phase. Some industries using commercial units include manufacturing, healthcare, education, offices, churches, restaurants, retail stores, banks, and hotels. Commercial units are more complex and costly than residential and require a higher skill level to install and maintain. They account for up to 60% of the HVAC market.

Summary

Whether residential or commercial, HVAC units will continue to innovate to meet the cooling and heating needs of both markets. New efficiency requirements and coolant types are ever evolving. The following resources have updated information on the HVAC industry.

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
HVAC Excellence
North American Technician Excellence (NATE)
Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA)
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)

February 4, 2022 by Matt Hanson

Packaged HVAC Indoor vs Outdoor

There are two basic types of HVAC systems, that being packaged and split systems. In short, a split system model contains a condenser and compressor residing in an outdoor cabinet while connected to an indoor evaporator. They connection by copper tubing and include various line lengths depending on numerous factors. Packaged systems on the other hand also known as all-in-one or self-contained are not as easily defined. Therefore, packaged HVAC indoor vs outdoor requires further explanation.

In a packaged HVAC system, all of the components; condenser, compressor, and evaporator reside in the same cabinet. However, there is a misconception about where a packaged unit is located. Some believe a packaged unit is located outside much like the condenser of a split system. So, when comparing a packaged system to a split system many HVAC providers will list the pros and cons each system.

HVAC installers will correctly point to the ease of installation and servicing of packaged units. However, they will also state that packaged unit installation is outside making them susceptible to weather, animal damage and rust. While this may be true of most packaged units on the market, there exist packaged units installed entirely indoors. For this reason, there are multiple reasons to consider HVAC indoor vs outdoor in a packaged unit.

United CoolAir Packaged HVAC Units

While split HVAC systems dominate the commercial HVAC industry, packaged units are often the right solution for many installations. For decades United CoolAir (UCA) packaged units have solved challenging HVAC installations. This is due to the fact of UCA units easy installation. Besides, these units also avoid any of the drawbacks of other packaged units on the market.

United CoolAir packaged units are modular with each module able to fit through a standard doorway as well as hallways. The use of quick connects means installations happen faster than many other brands. UCA units are also pre-charged and tested before shipment from the factory. As a result, we say United CoolAir units are All-indoor Solutions.

December 29, 2021 by Matt Hanson

Improving Indoor air hygiene

Since the onset of the novel corona virus that has become a pandemic, there is emphasis placed on improving indoor hygiene. People across the globe now realize that prevention of illness needs to be part of the strategy to control infection. Although mask wearing and social distancing may reduce transmission it is not enough to solve the problem.

Keeping building occupants healthy begins with making sure we are combating indoor air pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends fresh air standards for commercial buildings. Probably due to the fact the average American spends up to 90% of their time indoors and the workplace is one such instance.

To ensure fresh air is at satisfactory levels the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 62.1 has established guidelines. These guidelines give building or facility managers a baseline for acceptable Indoor Air Quality and ventilation.

Identifying pollutants

Besides Corona there are other airborne pathogens that contribute to poor health. Indoor pollutant includes microorganisms, germs, spores, molds along with carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Since many pollutants have no smell and cannot visibility they can be potentially dangerous.

Combined together these variables come together to make indoor space unhealthy hence the term sick building syndrome. During the Summer of 1976 a new ailment named Legionaries disease during a convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia, PA. This was due to a strain of bacteria called Legionella found in the cooling tower of the AC system.

Symptoms of poor Indoor air

When buildings contain too much humidity people will describe them as being muggy. Then symptoms such as congestion, dizziness, fatigue, nausea along with irritation of the eyes nose and throat can set in. However, many of these problems can be identical to a cold or allergic reaction. Only a medical professional can diagnose the true source of these symptoms.

Solutions for Improving Indoor air

While providing us cooling and heating our air conditioning units can be made to be healthier. Fortunately, we have many ways in which to diminish poor indoor air quality and actually improve the air we breathe. The first way to improve indoor air is with a Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) to continually bring in fresh air and circulate it in spaces.

Fortunately, we have many ways in which to diminish poor indoor air quality and actually improve the air we breathe. The first way to improve indoor air is with a Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) to continually bring in fresh air and circulate it in spaces. A DOAS system will remove humidity from the room and help the AC unit operate more efficiently. Additionally, filtration and air sanitization are helping to make buildings safer for occupants.

September 8, 2021 by Matt Hanson

How HVAC Retrofit Can Benefit Commercial Buildings

Every day there is a commercial HVAC system that is starting to fail as it reaches the end of its lifespan. Even well-maintained systems have components that will wear out. On top of that, the needs of a building change overtime as perhaps more people occupy the space. There could also be a change in office equipment or hours of operation. In fact, the life span of the typical HVAC system is only from 15–30 years. This is why an HVAC retrofit could be the best way to solve this unending problem.

Early Warning Signs of a Failing HVAC System

The first warning signs of a system that is starting to diminish is a noticeable change in the comfort level and changes in IAQ. Also, there could be an increase in the energy costs associated with the building. The rising costs of repairing and maintaining an HVAC system is also a sign that it might be time to consider an HVAC retrofit.

The Problem with Retrofit and Replacement of Existing Equipment

Most commercial HVAC systems are installable as packaged rooftop units or located in a basement or mechanical room. This presents s huge problem of having to hire cranes or major demolition to a building. Many times, a retrofit replacement unit is too large to move through hallways to their final destination. Complicating the process is the disruption to occupants as replacement can take a long time to complete. The cost of replacement equipment along with business down time is enough to discourage many facility managers to complete the update.

Finding the Best HVAC Retrofit Solution

Fortunately, there is a way to avoid all the drawbacks of a retrofit or replacement HVAC system. United CoolAir creates modular replacement HVAC units that can fit through standard doors and hallways and then reassembled. Additionally, this retrofit process is most often accomplished over a weekend. With United CoolAir units, HVAC retrofit and replacement is a easy process.

August 26, 2021 by Matt Hanson

What is a Water Source Heat Pump?

When it comes to reliability and efficiency, a Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP) could be the best option for commercial buildings. A Water Source Heat Pump works much in the same way as an air source heat pump; but extracts and disperses heat by water instead of air. An air source uses heat from the outside since even cold air contains substantial heat, until it reaches below freezing temperatures. This happens by cycling water through a piping system loop usually supplied by a water tower.

The WSHP operates in a simple way and operate year-round by bringing in heat in the Winter months and removing it in the Summer. Additionally, they are usually packaged units that are installed in a closet or even above the ceiling. They are deliverable into zones and controllable independently so that we achieve energy conservation. For this reason (WSHPs) are more efficient in cooling rather than heating.

During Spring and Autumn there can be extremes of both warm and cold weather and WSHPs can serve both situations. This makes them ideal for commercial buildings such as office buildings, hotels, hospitals, schools and retail spaces. The simple design of WSHPs contains a compressor, 4-way reversing valve, refrigerant heat exchanger, thermal expansion device, coil, and fan. Furthermore, the popular packaged systems can be easy for technicians to service since every component is in the same location.

United CoolAir is The Best Solution

United CoolAir (UCA), offers several units that operate as both air source and water source heat pumps. These units come in both vertical and horizontal configurations and a wide range of tonnages. As an added benefit, United CoolAir units contain modular construction which allows them to go through standard doorways. This makes UCA units the best choice when it comes to choosing a Water Source Heat Pump for your commercial building.