#UCA Archives - United CoolAir

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.

June 29, 2020 by Kevin Stepp

What is DOAS?

With Independence Day weekend approaching Americans are making plans to celebrate with cookouts, swimming, and other outdoors activities. These simple pleasures become even sweeter knowing that, when outside, we are breathing clean, fresh air. What some don’t know is that when we return to work, we are often returning to buildings that have been consciously designed to bring in fresh outdoor air. This fresh air creates cleaner and safer indoor environments. You don’t need to be in the backyard in order to breathe fresh air!

We refer to HVAC equipment specifically designed to condition outside air as DOAS equipment, or a Dedicated Outdoor Air System. The goal is to flush recirculated air from a building and replace it with clean air from outdoors. Doing so reduces the quantity of unwanted particles in the air by diluting their concentration.

How does a DOAS unit work?

While technologies and applications differ, most DOAS equipment operates on the same basic principles. Outside air, which in the summer is hotter and more humid than indoor air, must be cooled and dehumidified before being discharged into the space. If it were not, temperature and humidity in the building would skyrocket. Air passes across a cooling coil that reduces its temperature to around 50°-55°F. This process removes much of the moisture from the air. Because 50°-55° is too low to comfortably blow into a room, DOAS units often offer hot gas reheat as an option to heat the now-dry air up to a more comfortable 68-72°. Now, fresh air is ready to enter the space.

While we will likely return to work still thinking about the fun we had outdoors over the holiday, we can do so knowing that some of the outdoors is still with us.

To learn more about United CoolAir’s DOAS offerings, click the following link to our Omega Air product or call us to discuss how we can modify our other products to fit your DOAS application.

December 13, 2017 by Matt Hanson

You’ll Call it Remarkable, We Call it EZ-FIT

The Variable Air Volume (VAV) VariCool® EZ-Fit unit’s specific design is for the cost-effective replacement of existing floor-by-floor or constant volume purposes. These self-contained ﬂoor-mounted systems are modular in design and consist of three or four sections. Single module sizes range in capacity from 12 – 45 tons. Individual combined modules are able to achieve 90 tons of total cooling capacity with either air or water-cooled conﬁgurations.

The EZ-Fit design is especially important in multi-ﬂoor structures with limited space and accessibility. It’s an All-Indoor Solution specifically for installation in renovation and retroﬁt applications.
When compared to traditional air conditioners, United CoolAir has the Lowest Installed Cost! Each of the VariCool® EZ-FIT sections is capable of ﬁtting through a standard 3-0 doorway. The units easily negotiate corners, narrow hallways and can be placed into service elevators. The result is no building modification, fast access to the mechanical room, and no unnecessary handling, rigging, or permits.

Installations completed over the Weekend

The installation of modules happens over a weekend or during plant shutdown, minimizing disruption in services or workflow. United CoolAir custom manufactures all its equipment to the customer’s unique requirements. Utility and duct connection match the original locations eliminating costly modifications.

UCA works closely with the installer to deliver systems that coincide with the retroﬁ t schedule. Preplanning eliminates space issues at the job site, and system components go from truck to installation site saving valuable time and manpower. UCA’s Marvel Plus microprocessor controller is compatible with all major Building Management Systems (BMS).
To ensure fast, flawless installation, floor-by-floor factory-assembled modules, evacuation, charging, and testing occur before shipment. The disassembled units are split into three or 4 sections before shipment. Sections assemble easily and include re-sealable refrigerant ﬁttings that maintain the factory charge.

The All Indoor installation feature has other benefits as well! To preserve the architectural integrity of the structure, all components are inside the building. No field testing is necessary since the entire system is factory tested before shipment. The VariCool EZ-FIT offers protection from the weather and vandalism extending its usable life. Furthermore, customers can achieve lower costs because routine outdoor servicing and maintenance are eliminated.