News - United CoolAir

May 24, 2019 by Matt Hanson

Sick Building Syndrome and what to do about it

Sick or tight building syndrome is a term that describes from the ill effects building occupants suffer due to poor indoor air quality. Although not attributed to any specific disease (SBS), leads to a loss of employee productivity.

An extensive list of symptoms related to (SBS) include:

headache
cough
dizziness
nausea
eye, nose or throat irritation
dry cough, dry or itching skin
difficulty in concentration
fatigue
sensitivity to odors
hoarseness of voice
allergies
cold, flu-like symptoms
increased incidence of asthma

shortness of breath on mild exertion
edema
palpitations
nosebleeds
cancers
pregnancy problems and miscarriages
Legionnaire’s disease
humidifier fever
pneumonia and occupational asthma
chest pain

[Read more…]

April 9, 2019 by Matt Hanson

Business Owners Guide to Commercial HVAC

When business owners are in need of a new or replacement HVAC system, there may be many questions that arise. First and probably most importantly is the cost. However, cost not only pertains to the price of the equipment, but to the installation cost as well. Equipment cost will vary from one brand to another and between companies performing the install. Since most buyers are usually not HVAC experts, they often defer to the expertise of the engineer or contractor and may not search or understand that there are alternatives.

When it comes to Commercial HVAC systems many can be quite large. Furthermore, in many cases they were installed when the building was under construction. Typically, an HVAC system consists of condenser section placed on the rooftop or outside the perimeter on the ground. While outdoors these units are susceptible to weather damage and vandalism. Next, the installation of an evaporator section takes place, usually inside a mechanical room where it cannot be easily relocated.

How Replacements can be Made Easier

Generally, HVAC units need to be replacement after just a few decades. However, replacing an existing unit can be a very involved process. Installers routinely tell building owners that replacing the unit would be a daunting task. To complete the retrofit installation, it is often recommended to remove some of the walls or part of the roof. The reason is although the old unit can be chopped up and removed, it is very difficult to get a replacement unit in the space. Additionally, a crane is often needed to hoist the replacement unit into place, especially if the height of the building is several stories.

The total cost of an installation is broken down into separate categories; labor materials, and tasks. Installation companies will compute hourly wage times how many laborers it will take to complete the change out. Other expenditures could include permits, insurance, supervision, warehouse, crane rental, and delivery.

The selection of the proper HVAC system is yet another consideration. Owners, architects, engineers, and contractors have the choice of chilled water, refrigerant direct expansion, packaged, air-cooled, water-cooled, and VRF systems. Will the system be a central or floor-by-floor method? Each of these will have pro and cons and can be one of the more difficult decisions to be made. Sometimes decisions are based on building codes. Historic districts usually have restrictions on placing units outdoors or on the rooftop.

There is a better way!

For retrofit installations, the design of United CoolAir (UCA) products helps avoid all of the unnecessary costs that can occur. This is due to United CoolAir’s design that involves a complete indoor installation. This factor alone saves the unit from weather damage and potential vandalism. Additionally, UCA units are built as modular units that fit through doorways, meaning there is never a need for expensive rigging or demolition of the building. UCA units can also fit into historic buildings, thus avoiding the aggravation of code restrictions. Additional permits or non-allowance for outdoor equipment. United CoolAir HVAC units not only save in installation cost but their units last longer over the competition.

February 27, 2019 by Matt Hanson

Choosing a Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS)

In order to comply with current strict ventilation standards in the HVAC industry, manufacturers’ are introducing innovative new equipment to improve indoor air quality. Dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) are one such methods used to help regulate temperature and humidity. Schools, hospitals, offices, and other commercial spaces can all benefit from a DOAS unit. As these systems become more popular throughout the USA and Canada, technicians and end users need to understand the operation and importance of these units.

Although DOAS units are not the primary source of cooling, they help the main HVAC unit work more efficiently. These units function by bringing in fresh air independently of other cooling and heating equipment. This pretreated air will ultimately save fan energy on the main HVAC unit and improve the overall indoor air quality. These units can be air-cooled, water-cooled and chilled water and may include variable capacity compressors.

How to Get Started

Specifying a DOAS unit usually begins with selection software. This takes the basic parameters of the installation and focuses on the specific needs and requirements for fresh air. The software will calculate the performance expectations and recommend additional modifications to the basic package. A variety of fresh air units handle a range of CFM and tonnage and include options such as water-source heat pumps and modulating hot gas reheat.

Other fresh air units could include direct expansion with an energy recovery enthalpy wheel. The unit should be able to handle the large latent ventilation load and deliver “neutral” air of 72°F to 75°F @ 50% RH. By separating the sensible load from the latent load, the unit will remove moisture from the primary source of fresh outside air. What this does is reduce the load on the primary AC unit that will be used in cooling the space. Ultimately, this leads to greater efficiency and better indoor air quality with a lower overall cost.

Why Install Equipment Indoor?

Many HVAC manufacturers provide outdoor rooftop equipment as DOAS units, but occasionally a customer might require an all indoor packaged unit. This is the case when the building topography does not allow for outside mounting. Furthermore, codes that affect historic buildings often don’t allow for HVAC equipment to be installed outdoors. This is the case even if there were ample room on the roof or outside. The indoor packaged solution typically realizes a smaller footprint. This aides in new installations as well as for retrofitting as part of a VRF or conventional DX air conditioning project.

Ideally, the performance of your DOAS unit should meet or surpass the ASHRAE 90.1 standards of ISMRE 11.1 and ISCOP 8.0 and adhere to a sound rating of less than NC-40. Dedicated Outdoor Units also include options such as the installation of MERV 8 or 13 filters. Units can also include special coil coatings to prevent rust and corrosion when installed in harsh conditions. Some examples would include Marine or paper mill applications. Lastly, units may also include a manual on/off override switch and meet the power requirements of 208/230 single or three phase or 460/3 phase power.

When calculating the need for a DOAS unit it is important to understand all the benefits.

By removing outdoor contaminants before they enter the building the indoor air quality will be greatly improved. Additionally, this will allow the main cooling unit to run more efficiently.
The dehumidification process removes moisture from the entering air which helps prevent the formation of mold. These elements can negatively affect the health of the building occupants.
Energy savings are also achieved by separating the ventilation requirement from the main cooling or heating unit.

Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems have become an integral component to an overall approach to HVAC installation. As concerns about climate change drive governments to enact more stringent energy requirements in the manufacturing process; DOAS units will continue to grow in importance. Ongoing developments will ensure that these types of units will become even more efficient and used well into the future.

February 7, 2019 by Matt Hanson

HVAC Replacement Made Better

What if there was a way to replace existing indoor HVAC equipment that has reached its lifespan. Furthermore, without expensive demolition and alterations to the building structure?
Many contractors, engineers, and property managers try to answer this question each day. It’s a question that is seemingly easy to answer. The dismantling of Outdated equipment could help make the debris more easily hauled away to make way for a replacement unit. The problem is that most replacement units are too large to bring into spaces without major disruption and structure modifications.

There is a better way of HVAC Replacement

United CoolAir equipment is a better solution for replacement HVAC units. Our units are modular in construction with quick connects and re-sealable fittings that allow replacing equipment without demolition. Most UCA units can fit through a standard doorway or elevator, around tight corners of hallways and into the space. The process of installing United CoolAir units can save time and money leading to greater satisfaction in the retrofit process.

Countless numbers of HVAC units were installed while the building was under construction thus confining the unit in its chosen location. The current protocol is to chop up a brand new unit and bring it into spaces and then reassemble the equipment. The alternative is to knock down a wall or removing part of the roof in order to accomplish the replacement task. The problem with both of these solutions is the damage that can result in new equipment and the expense of building demolition and reconstruction. These building alterations can add tens of thousands of dollars to the total replacement cost.

Do all commercial HVAC units have to be installed outdoors?

No, companies such as United CoolAir produce HVAC units that are installed completely indoors.

Is there such a thing as an indoor DOAS unit?

Yes, United CoolAir produces several dedicated outside air units that are installed completely indoors.

October 5, 2018 by Matt Hanson

Commercial Grow Room Units for a Growing Industry

As cannabis growth facilities begin to expand in popularity, they present a challenge for HVAC producers. For instance, how best to control the environment in temperature and humidity. Unlike most crops that are grown outdoors, cannabis is grown indoors and needs an environment controllable with the utmost precision. The formation of Commercial Grow Room AC units is one such method to solve this challenge.

The indoor conditions needed to promote plant growth include ventilation with some way to achieve indoor air circulation. To begin with, grow light activation in these facilities in the daytime to simulate sunlight produces a great amount of heat. Cannabis grows best at a moderate temperature that does not fall below 60°(F). Of equal importance is preventing the rise above 80°(F). Ideally, humidity level that needs to remain around 50 to 60 percent.

If not maintaining these conditions at a consistent level, it can lead to mold growth. This can damage the crop leading to thousands of dollars in crop damage. United CoolAir has developed grow room air conditioning units that solve the problem of how to maintain the best environment for plant growth. The building of grow room units with special controls allow for the AC unit to perform differently during the day and night.

Legalization is Spurring Growth

As the legalization of cannabis continues, commercial grow room AC units are in high demand. These special units mimic the natural flow of cooling during the day and reduce cooling at night all while keeping humidity at optimum levels for healthy plants. United CoolAir all indoor units continue to provide cooling and heating needs for many unique applications.

Finally, as the need for heating, cooling, and de-humidification solutions continue; United CoolAir Corporation will continue to develop units to meet these needs. Contact United CoolAir today to learn what we can do for you.

September 28, 2018 by Matt Hanson

Emergency Temporary Portable Cooling and Heating

Emergency temporary cooling, heating units

When tragedy strikes in the form of natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and other extreme weather events, time, and resources are of the essence. Without reliable temporary cooling and heating systems, critical infrastructure can fail. This results in important social services such as hospitals and other institutions being unable to function as well as data loss. Moreover, the housing of evacuees requires large populations to locate into tents or makeshift shelters, and having appropriate systems can save lives. Unfortunately, AC units sold on the retail market lack the power to provide adequate relief to a large space or populace. This is because retail units only go up to 14,000 BTUs. Therefore, it is imperative to have mobile, rugged, and powerful systems that can reach up to 360,000 BTUs, such as Untitled Cool Air’s units. In addition, larger units are in development.

Built to last Commercial Units

Emergency units must be tough and hold up under harsh conditions and transport. Instead of cabinets built out of flimsy plastic, you will need a unit constructed from thick metal and quality parts. During the construction of United CoolAir portable units, they tested before leaving the factory. This line of portable units is self-contained and built with various capacities and sizes. Units are also provided as air-cooled, water-cooled, and heat pumps. The production of these well-constructed reliable units started in 1988, in York, PA.

For indoor or outdoor applications, these horizontal units are small and flexible. But also when operating indoors, the condenser air can be ducted outside. A low-profile design provides a neat, clean appearance. Mobility is paramount for these portable air conditioning units. They can be provided with an integral unit-mounted forklift pod or with casters. The ducted feature makes these units ideal for temporary cooling or heating in renovation projects. Other applications include spot cooling or heating and temporary cooling when the building air conditioner is down for maintenance. Other uses include providing extra cooling or heating when needed to augment the building system. These portables can supply cooling only or cooling and heating options. On the other hand, the design of these units for your specific requirements covers a wide variety of options.