Tuesday, May 10th, 2011
Archive for May, 2011
Second example of a condensing coil with fan.
- Condensing coil with fan.
Air Cooled A/C Units
Have you ever wondered where the cold air comes from in an air conditioning unit? Probably not, but if you are thinking about buying air conditioning there are things you need to know, and take into account, before the installation. You need to consider where the equipment is going to go and what type of equipment you need, based on whether it is for office, home, warehouse, small store, two storey building, high rise etc.
There are thousands of types of air conditioning out there but they basically fall into two categories – air cooled and water cooled. This article is about ‘air to air’ or air cooled air conditioning (HVAC)
So, basically, that means that the unit cools using a fan across the coil outside to get rid of heat. Like all systems there are pros and cons, depending on your needs. Pros include the fact that they are easily installed, work in many locations, and come in packages so no piping needs to be run. The downside can be the noise. Air across the coil and the fan motor make noise, although the newer units are a lot quieter than the older ones. Dirt can also be an issue. The air passing across the coil leaves a lot of dust and grime, causing the unit to lose efficiency over time. Therefore regular cleaning and servicing is a must.
Air to air is the most common air conditioning used today.
Caledonia Integrated Services is an Energy Management, HVAC and Electrical company serving Vancouver and BC area. “There is no knowledge that is not power” – giving power to our customers.
Filed under: Energy Management / HVAC, HVAC
Wednesday, May 4th, 2011
Archive for May, 2011
Cleaning a condensing coil
Welcome Spring!
Well, we saw the sun today, and since it was for more than 10 minutes we figure it must be spring!
Spring comes with decisions to make about your air conditioning and HVAC equipment – and how to get it ready for another hot summer (we hope!). Along with the general maintenance and filter changes on your equipment, we also recommend an inspection of your condensing coils. What’s that? Basically, the most common types of air conditioners use an ‘air to air’ system which involves pulling outside air over a coil to a fan, and that cools the unit. Over time dirt and dust build up on the coil, reducing efficiency and costing you money.
We get asked a lot how often a coil should be cleaned, and should it be done every year? The short answer is that it very much depends on how much the equipment is used, and how much dirt is in the air where you are located. Most equipment running on a normal work week, without any major pollutants around will probably be okay for two or even three years. Of course, the best judge of this will be your HVAC provider who will be able to let you know how dirty the coil is, and whether it needs cleaned.
One last tip for this month – with spring comes cottonwood! Depending on your location, some days it can even look as though it’s snowing. These are the cottonwood seeds, and they are a menace to all your equipment! If you are in an area with a lot of cottonwood it’s best to wait until after the worst of it is over to clean your coils, otherwise you’ll just end up having to clean it twice.
Caledonia Integrated Services is an Energy Management, HVAC and Electrical company, serving Vancouver and BC area.
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Filed under: HVAC, Tip of the Month
