Commercial HVAC Archives - Page 2 of 3

May 10, 2021 by Matt Hanson

Energy Recovery Wheels for Max Energy Savings

What is an Energy Recovery Wheel?

One of the best ways to make a DOAS unit function more efficiently is to add an Energy Recovery Wheel (ERW). In many cases local codes make it necessary for HVAC units to meet minimum standards for efficiency. An ERW also called an Enthalpy wheel works as part of a DOAS unit to remove moisture and deliver room neutral air to the heating and air conditioning unit. By using an ERW the U.S. Department of Energy determined that energy savings of 15% are achievable.

Why you need an ERW

Commercial buildings are full of indoor pollutants and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants including CO2 accumulate everyday with office variants such as people, furniture, carpeting and office machinery. It is imperative that this polluted indoor air is replaced regularly with clean fresh air. If the poor indoor air is allowed to remain it ultimately leads to negative health effects to the building’s occupants. Although standard HVAC units cool and heat the air and provide minimal ventilation, they do not provide the amount of fresh air recommended by ASHRAE 62.1-2016.

How an ERW works

Energy Recovery Wheels work year-round cooling down the warm Summer air and heating up the Winter air. In either case the ducted sensible and latent heat comes from the outside where it goes through the ERW. Conversely the leaving or exhaust air also goes through the ERW where the absorbed moisture is expelled from the building. As the wheel turns it removes moisture from the air and changes the air to a room neutral temperature. The wheel will spin slower during the Spring and Fall season where temperatures are not as extreme. This in turn helps the cooling or heating unit perform better and leads to increased energy savings.

Conclusion

With the ERW rotating, recovered heat is moved from two streams of air transferring energy from fresh air and exhaust air. Proper ventilation removes contaminants from inside air and reduces energy costs. A United CoolAir DOAS unit including an Energy Recovery Wheel is a wise choice when replacing an existing unit.

October 14, 2020 by Matt Hanson

Compressor Failure and the Effects on Warranty

Identifying why compressor failure is subject to many variables and is important to understanding warranty implications. Although compressors fail for a multitude of reasons, poor installation and maintenance are the most common causes. However, for the vast majority of compressors returned for claims, rarely is it due to a defect in the manufacturer supplied part.

Determining why a compressor has failed is a challenge for contractors of light commercial cooling systems. The mere fact that installation and maintenance procedures are key factors means that most compressor failures are preventable. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to understand the various ways in which these failures occur.

Following OEM guidelines for installation, startup and service are critical for installers of both ducted and ductless systems. For instance, the act of completing a compressor changeout can introduce contaminants to an HVAC system. Conversely, there is the rare occurrence of natural causes such as lightning or line voltage fluctuations that happen. On the other hand, proper routine maintenance improves the long-term reliability of the system.

This allows technicians to identify issues before they can cause a catastrophic failure. For instance, a dirty outdoor unit coil will result in the inability to reject heat, thus increasing compressor operating temperatures. When this happens, the compressor forces more expended energy while providing less capacity. Therefore, regular routine maintenance is key to keeping a system running well and avoiding compressor breakdown.

Other factors that affect compressor life

When it comes to compressor endurance, keeping refrigerant lines free of moisture or oxidization is very important. When refrigerant lines become contaminated it causes the internal lubricant to become acidic, which can eat away at internal windings.

Another factor contributing to compressor failure is incorrect refrigerant line sizing. When this occurs, it affects pressurization and evacuation to ensure the absence of leaks. It is also important to have correct minimum unit clearance and refrigerant charging procedures. These factors are critical to longevity and the life expectancy of the compressor.

Overheating is yet another variable that causes compressors to lose their operating capabilities. This usually happens when there is not enough refrigerant in the system. When overheating happens over an extended period it will cause the breakdown of winding insulation. Symptoms of overheating may include compressor short cycling due to increased trips on protection devices. This reduces heating and/or cooling performance, and an increases current draw.

Training and Startup Procedures

Contractors can help mitigate the chances of compressor failure by adhering to each manufacture’s startup procedure. This is because each manufacture has unique steps that must transpire in order to keep equipment running smoothly. Finally, attending a manufacturer training session is a good step in achieving longevity in HVAC systems.

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.

January 3, 2018 by Matt Hanson

Healthcare-Associated Infections: How can we help?

Indoor air pollutants can affect the health of children, the elderly and those with health problems and lead to infections. As people spend an extreme amount of time indoors, the air we breathe in closed-in spaces can further worsen health problems. For example, each and every day we are open to indoor impurities such as chemicals, gases, dust, and mold. Many health problems can occur from poor indoor air including sore eyes, nose burning, sore throat, headaches, and fatigue. These pollutants can be found in homes as well as schools offices and even healthcare facilities.

Healthcare-Associated Infections

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) are infections that patients can get while having treatment in any healthcare facility. Most of these HAI’s could be preventable with proper indoor air quality. Meanwhile, pollutants can cause or worsen existing allergies and breathing illnesses such as asthma, heart disease, cancer, and other conditions. Furthermore, the hospital’s physical environment can have a momentous impact on patients’ health. If the air is dry (as it is in most hospitals) this can create a home for microorganisms. In addition, this can worsen the indoor conditions that lead to infections and allergens to humans. An indoor relative humidity between 40-60% will help to protect patient health and decrease excess health care costs.

Indoor air hydration will support patients in a variety of ways including skin and respiratory tract defenses. This also includes immune cell functioning wound healing and total body fluid balance. In other words, all of those are natural defenses against HAI’s. Healthcare facilities need to ensure they are making patients their number one importance by focusing on indoor air quality. With proper indoor air quality, you will see a decrease in re-admissions, shorter inpatient stays, and lessening of non-reimbursable hospital expenses. One of the best ways to control IAQ and improve health is to have a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) in place. United CoolAir produces many units designed to bring in the fresh air and improve the health of buildings and patients.

March 25, 2013 by Matt Hanson

Targeting the HVAC Retrofit Market

United CoolAir Corporation (UCA) is repositioning itself to stand out in the high-growth retrofit air conditioning marketplace. Namely by adding the tagline “All-Indoor Solutions,” which calls attention to the fact that all UCA equipment mounts entirely indoors. For example, our units require no roof or pad space. UCA manufactures a wide range of equipment styles for practically any retrofit application.

With many aging buildings, especially in urban areas, older systems need replacement by more capable units meeting new efficiency standards. Because many of these old units were installed at the time during building construction, they are difficult to replace. Specifically, “A high proportion of the multi-story buildings in cities like NYC, Boston and Chicago have floor-by-floor air conditioning systems that are difficult to access.

The problem is not removing the old system out but rather replacing the system at a reasonable cost. “In most metropolitan buildings, space is unavailable for exterior condensing or rooftop unit mounting,” said United CoolAir President Neil Tucker. Mr. Tucker remarked that often owners, contractors, and even some consulting engineers tend to focus on equipment cost rather than the Total Installed Cost. You must include the additional charges for special permits, crane rental, rigging, building modifications, equipment modifications, and labor. In order to make these changes, the new HVAC equipment must only cost a small fraction of the entire project.

UCA’s All-Indoor Solutions include unique characteristics separating them from other suppliers of retrofit cooling equipment. Please see a list of the characteristics below.

UCA offers a variety of equipment styles and sizes that tailor to fit practically any building requirement. In other words, the design of UCA equipment is adaptable to the most difficult installations at a lower installed cost.
Configurations include horizontal, vertical, ceiling grid, VAV, and even dedicated outside air systems.
Air conditioners mount entirely indoors requiring no rooftop space, slab, or special exterior condensing section mounting. Furthermore, unit availability includes air-cooled, water-cooled, chilled water, and heat pump configurations.
The equipment modular design allows for disassembly for transportation. However, most sections fit through standard doorways and elevators, eliminating the need for expensive building modifications, rigging, or crane rental.
The equipment retains the exterior architectural appearance of the building, especially with historical structures.
Theft and vandalism are practically eliminated without the added expense of special security systems or cages.
The units refrigerant is factory charged during production. This means there is no piping, brazing, evacuation, or refrigerant charging in the field which realizes a lower installed cost.
Systems are made-to-order allowing us to place air paths, electrical connections, and refrigerant lines that match existing hookups. In fact, contractors can completely install a number of our systems in as little as a weekend, minimizing workplace disruption.
UCA equipment maximizes indoor space by taking advantage of closets, small rooms, and ceiling spaces. The equipment protection from harsh outdoor weather extends its operating life, and this eliminates high maintenance fees for outdoor servicing.
UCA uses standardized parts and components allowing routine maintenance completion at very cost.

Summary

United CoolAir leads in the manufacturing of indoor packaged and splittable light commercial air conditioners. Their “unique comfort solutions” develop around an innovative modular all-indoor design. UCA began manufacturing air conditioning equipment in 1988 for military applications along with highly specialized HVAC systems for commercial applications.

Presently, UCA manufactures a broad line of air conditioning systems that include horizontal ceiling mount, vertical systems, and outside air systems such as EZ-Fit and Renovator. They also manufacture a full line of portable air conditioners and heating systems for the rental industry. For more information about United CoolAir, please call 717-843-4311 or visit www.unitedcoolair.com.