#hvacr Archives | United CoolAir

October 25, 2019 by Matt Hanson

Industrial Grow Room Units

As cannabis becomes legalized or decriminalized throughout the United States, Grow Room units are in high demand. Medical applications of the plant alone have led to further community acceptance and therefore more facilities have emerged for growth and distribution. In order for this up-and-coming industry to thrive, HVAC companies have developed specialized equipment that promotes indoor plant growth.

Growing cannabis indoors on a massive scale is an elaborate process. To start with, optimal growth conditions require stable temperatures both day and night. When the plants are in the early stages of development they need oxygen-rich air for vigorous growth. Grow room unit development leads to the control of both temperature and humidity in the various stages of plant growth. In particular, the heat stress on developing plants can quickly ruin a crop.

The two-stage humidity problem

When the humidity levels rise too high, conditions become such that mold can develop. Likewise, when levels of humidity fall too low this can add additional stress to the plants. The cannabis plants thrive best when relative humidity is kept within a manageable range.

Grow Room Units by United CoolAir

When it comes to Dedicated Indoor Agricultural System (DIAS) AKA, Grow Room units, United CoolAir is on the cutting edge. Starting in the Spring of 2018 we began producing equipment for Cultiva Systems. This is a complete system unlike the conventional approach that utilizes a standard air conditioner to control temperature and a separate dehumidifier to control humidity. The DIAS has the required capacity for late flower loads and enough turn down to maintain conditions during the earliest stages of the plant. Powerful moisture removal capability and full condensing modulating hot gas reheat keep the room conditions on target. Integral controls and advanced components maximize energy efficiency while achieving the desired conditions; therefore, lowering the operating cost to the grower. Furthermore, these units range from 10 – 45 tons and come in both horizontal and vertical configurations.

October 18, 2019 by Matt Hanson

Retrofitting Commercial HVAC Units

Retrofitting Major Commercial HVAC Brands

Millions of HVAC systems are reaching replacement age. The life cycle for most will pass several times over the life of commercial, industrial and institutional structures. Estimates show that there are over 5 million buildings available for retrofit HVAC upgrades. While 70% of commercial buildings built prior to 1980 have not had any HVAC improvements. With changes in building codes, government regulations, technology, IAQ and environmental standards many building owners face a plethora of challenges.
One of the issues that building owners have little control over is the cost of energy. Current rates range from 6.5 cents to over 12 cents dependent on region. All forecasts show great increases over the next few decades. Considering that 40% of building power cost use is HVAC related, gaining efficiency and cost savings are vital for owners.

Why The Difficulty in Replacing Outdated Units

When initially installing HVAC systems, size, weight, ease of installation and refrigerant there were of no concern. During construction, large chillers were lowered into basements, and rooftop units were installed using machinery already onsite. Now twenty to thirty years later things are more difficult. No longer is there open access or a crane onsite to simplify improvising an HVAC system. Brands of HVAC units reaching the end of life include Trane^® SWUD units, Bohn HVAC Systems, Blazer units, McQuay^® HVAC, Mammoth^® v cube and Carrier^® AC units.

Going Green is the Future

In order to make energy cleaner, greener and more efficient, governments are constantly developing new refrigerant liquids. Many of today’s HVAC units are using the less efficient R22 refrigerant and are therefore in need of replacement. Newer units are using R410a refrigerant but even this will soon be outdated as well. With an emphasis on green buildings, what is the best solution? Buy a replacement rooftop unit and spend thousands of dollars on installation. Installation could cost half of the cost of the replacement unit. How do you remove and retrofit large tonnage chillers from a basement in a dense urban area?

There is a Solution

Keeping this in mind, there are products to solve these retrofit problems. Selecting an off the shelf or stock unit will not be a perfect fit like the initial installations. United CoolAir modifies units to make retrofit projects simple and easy to install. Choosing a splittable system that can move through a standard 32-inch doorway into a standard elevator, resolves to get the units inside an existing structure. This will also lessen the total cost of installation by using less manpower; overcome other technical issues that would be necessary for the installation of standard commercial units. What can make these EZ Fit units even more appealing is they can fit above the ceiling or in a mechanical room? By bringing your units indoors you can gain valuable roof space for green projects such as solar panels or a living roof.

In Conclusion

Additionally, repairs can be made anytime indoors, support longer unit life; eliminate damages from storms, vandalism or even theft of valuable copper destroying your units. Owners can expect a shorter return on investment, lower energy costs, and an overall lower lifecycle cost. Complaints from building owners vary from too costly, tenant interruption, no funding, and others. In today’s climate, governments along with others are providing programs to lessen the financial burden.

PACE bonds, leasing, and energy programs like Potomac Edison provide fantastic incentives to become more energy efficient. Potomac ED’s program provides up to 50% rebate of the purchase price, excluding taxes for each VFD installed capped at a total of $250,000. These programs give building owners every reason to retrofit their obsolete HVAC systems. Besides repair or retrofit is going to become more widespread than new construction in the upcoming years. Lastly, retrofitting your old high energy-consuming system with a unique feature split unit can make a retrofit project as simple as screwing in a light bulb.

July 3, 2019 by Matt Hanson

The Thermal Expansion Valve (TXV) Explained

What you need to know about refrigerant flow

The Thermal Expansion Valve (TXV) is installed to control the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator in response to the cooling load. TXV’s measure the superheat at the outlet and react to this by increasing or decreasing the amount of refrigerant flowing into the evaporator to try and maintain a constant superheat.

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June 18, 2019 by Matt Hanson

Commercial vs Residential HVAC Units

Learn the similarites and differences between commercial and residential units

Commercial vs Residential

Commercial and Residential HVAC units share many similarities but contain many differences as well. While some HVAC manufacturing companies produce units for both markets, others specialize in one or the other. The biggest differences have to do with size, and whether the unit is packaged or split. Commercial systems are typically modular in nature, which makes them more flexible and expandable. These units are for business applications and can serve very large office buildings to small shops.

Many times the HVAC unit is installed when the building is first being constructed presenting a problem later. Eventually the unit will be in need of replacement. Commercial units because of their size and complexity usually require more highly trained technicians to install and service the equipment. This type of HVAC unit is designed to serve multiple zones and is capable of providing heating as well as cooling to the building. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) sets Minimum Ventilation Rates in Breathing Zone standards as to how much fresh air must be delivered for the number of occupants in a given room. HVAC units are measured in tonnage or CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute), while ASHRAE advises 20 CFM per person in a health club, only 5 CFM per person is recommended for a library.

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March 5, 2018 by Matt Hanson

Hotel HVAC Solutions

Many hotels and other high-rise buildings can develop indoor humidity issues causing high moisture levels. As a result, these problems can lead to damage to the building or discomfort to their guests without having the proper DOAS system into place. It is critical for business designers to implement cost-effective strategies to ensure their buildings are operating efficiently.

A proper DOAS system combined with interior conditioning strategies such as chilled beams or VRF systems can help control high humidity levels within a building. Preventing high indoor moisture is extremely important not only for the building but for the health of their occupants. The initial upfront could be a costly endeavor, however, the long term benefits of investing in a DOAS will far outweigh the short term cost.

Moisture Level in Hotels is Key

Moisture removal is the key component to optimal IAQ (indoor air quality) and occupant comfort. This can maximize the life of the facilities equipment and furnishings. The recommended range of human comfort (defined by ASHRAE) and desirable humidity level for interiors is around 65% relative humidity. Anything above 65% will yield the likelihood of microbial growth. One way to minimize the reheat energy associated with dehumidification would be through an energy recovery wheel (ERV). If you had an extremely hot and muggy day at 88°F and 60% RH, an ERV could reduce the outside air temperature down to 77°F and 60% RH.

Dehumidification often tends to be ignored because of the high cost and high energy expenditure of operating today’s buildings. Consequently, the lack of dehumidification in hotels can not only cause occupant discomfort but building damage as well. The best way to address this concern is to properly design a dehumidification system. Using a system with an energy recovery wheel is a great solution. Contact United CoolAir today and ask about how our Alpha Aire unit can meet all the needs of your building.