HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

Bill Spohn joins Eric Kaiser and Kaleb Saleeby at AHR 2022 to talk about his experiences designing and living in a home with NetZero HVAC.

NetZero HVAC refers to system design with tight coordination with the house to make it as efficient as possible. Some of these systems are so tight and efficient that they approach passive house standards (0.6 ACH50). Bill lives in a modular home that also generates more energy than it consumes, and it doesn't rely on natural gas.

The greatest expenses of Bill's NetZero home came from all the custom factors, as it didn't make sense to price many of the features on a square-foot basis. The heating and cooling system is also unique, as it is completely separate from the ventilation system, which is a Build Equinox CERV. On the IAQ side, the CERV monitors outdoor temperature and humidity, indoor CO2, and indoor VOCs. Bill also has a HAVEN central air monitor inside the CERV system as a backup.

Bill's HVAC system is an air-source heat pump that provides two tons of heating and cooling and has low-temperature capabilities. The two-ton unit works for a 4400-square-foot home.

Bill, Eric, and Kaleb also discuss:

• Energy independence
• Controlling radiant heat gains and window construction
• Construction and material fabrication
• Monitoring energy usage
• Energy recovery ventilation (ERVs)
• Thermal bridging at work in Bill's walls
• Knowledgeable customers
• Jim Bergmann's help with troubleshooting
• Radon issues
• Bill's podcast
• Solar inverters
• Measuring tool accuracy

You can learn more by listening to Bill's podcast, Building HVAC Science. You can subscribe to the podcast on any podcast app of your choice or get an overview at https://buildinghvacscience.libsyn.com/.

You can also check out Bill's blog at https://spohnhome.com/.

If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

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Collin Olson, the staff physicist of The Energy Conservatory (TEC), joins Eric Kaiser at AHR 2022 to talk a bit about data logging.

Data logging refers to the act of using sensors to record data over time and then analyzing that data. TEC dipped its toes into data logging with the APT and then TECLOG. Data logging allows us to take and store multiple readings as well as extrapolate data into graphs, making it easier to analyze performance. The TECLOG4 software is the most up-to-date version.

TECLOG is a simple software to use with basic training. The understanding of building science continues over a lifetime, but the actual software can be learned in approximately 30 minutes. TECLOG is free with TEC's hardware, such as the DG-1000. To get started, all you need is a precision manometer and a computer.

However, it's worth nothing that the DG-1000 stores a lot of data, meaning that you can launch data logging sessions on the gauge without your computer.

Some of the most important measurements are related to drafts and backdrafting. There are 250 Pascals in an inch of water column, and the DG-1000 can pick up very small changes in the Pascals and can indicate when depressurization happens and when it poses a risk. Improperly installed vents can also produce alarming drafting conditions due to air density; data logging can pick up that sort of information.

Collin and Eric also discuss:

• The history of TEC's APT
• Wind and its effect on building pressures
• Event markers and hotkeys
• The link between depressurization, flue gases, and weather conditions
• Managing multiple blower doors at a time

Check out TEC's software, including TECLOG4, at https://energyconservatory.com/downloads/.

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Mark Tozzi from Carrier comes on the HVAC School podcast to talk about unique HVAC incentives in K-12 schools.

When schools closed down during COVID-19 lockdowns, a new series of incentives came out for schools. Many of these incentives include access to technology, and improvements to HVACR equipment are covered under those programs.

Schools can benefit from geography-tailored solutions, including air-cooled chillers in the Southeast and products meant to improve IAQ, including filtration upgrades and dehumidification strategies.

To provide valuable solutions to schools, HVACR professionals and manufacturers need to get involved in local conversations, such as on school boards or at the district level. The incentive is quite broad, and it provides schools AND HVACR professionals with many opportunities. The funds need to be spent by 2023, so we can focus on doing business with schools this year.

However, as we seize these opportunities to help our communities, we also need to make sure that we have the labor, training, and ambassadorship to make these initiatives successful. As an industry, we need to focus on recruitment and training to stimulate interest in the industry. Not to mention, as equipment advances, technicians need to be able to catch up with newer technology.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put our industry into the spotlight, and people are paying more attention to their air quality and our work than ever before. Through community opportunities, recruitment, and education, we can hope to improve our industry.

Mark and Bryan also discuss:

• OptiClean air scrubbers
• Buy boards
• How the HVAC industry might appeal to younger generations
• When are HVAC contractors seen as valuable to the general public?

Learn more at carrier.com.

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Chris Forth, the VP of regulatory codes and environmental affairs at Johnson Controls, joins Bryan for a live podcast at AHR 2022. This time, they discuss changing HVAC regulations and what that will mean for contractors, technicians, and installers.

Johnson Controls focuses on institutional chillers, controls with digital platforms, air handlers, filtration, and alarm systems. Lately, Chris has gotten the industry ready to convert existing products and systems to high-efficiency equipment for low-GWP, A2L refrigerants.

The transition to A2L refrigerants will be different from the transition from R-22 to R-410A. We needed to change the oil type (mineral oil to POE) and make equipment for different pressures when we went from R-22 to R-410A. However, the pressure and oil needs of A2L refrigerants are very similar to R-410A; the main obstacle is dealing with mild flammability.

Every six years, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sets minimum efficiency standards, and they determined that it's time for an upgrade. In other words, 14-SEER straight-cool A/C systems will no longer cut it in some places. In the Southeast, equipment that doesn't meet the new standards must be INSTALLED before 2023. (In other cases, the date of manufacturing is what matters.)

Now, contractors need to be sure that they can install 14-SEER units before 2023 if they order them. Otherwise, contractors may be better off ordering 15-SEER units now to ensure that they can install the equipment.

Chris and Bryan also discuss:

• North vs. south efficiency ratings
• AHRI match
• How manufacturers will be affected by these regulations
• American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM Act)
• The self-extinguishing properties of A2L refrigerants

Learn more about Johnson Controls at https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/.

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Kevin Hart, the CEO of HAVEN, joins Kaleb Saleeby live from AHR 2022 to discuss how we can control IAQ with central air monitors and controllers. HAVEN, formerly TZOA, is an IAQ company that focuses on protecting building occupants' health by controlling air quality.

HAVEN's approach to managing IAQ starts with collecting data about the air. Without that data, we can't come up with solutions tailored to individual buildings. We need sensors to gather that data, which would traditionally mean that we'd need a decentralized system with sensors everywhere. However, HAVEN takes a centralized approach to measuring and controlling indoor air quality.

HAVEN's central air monitoring system is not an ordinary box product. Monitors constantly provide data that help HVAC professionals find points of improvement in a home and form a solid professional relationship with homeowners. The goal is to use data as a bridge to connect the homeowner and contractor as well as build trust.

One of HAVEN's new projects is to expand into remote HVAC diagnostics. The search for deviations in heating, cooling, and comfort will allow HAVEN to get more involved in the HVAC industry and communicate diagnostic help and solutions more effectively.

Kevin and Kaleb also discuss:

• HAVEN's name and vision
• Avoiding false positives for harmful substances with centralized monitoring
• Equipment longevity
• Stagnancy of air in homes in moderate climates
• The issue with constant 50% relative humidity
• Outdoor air quality and comparative analysis
• IAQ as a luxury rather than a necessity
• Predictions for the HVAC industry

Learn more at https://haveniaq.com/ or become a HAVEN Pro today at https://pro.haveniaq.com/.

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Jacques Beaudry-Losique, the CEO of Enginuity Power Systems, joins Nathan Orr live at AHR 2022. Enginuity manufactures energy-efficient engines that produce more power than traditional engines and recover waste heat to act as water heaters. Enginuity engines can run on propane and natural gas to help you run almost entirely off the grid and participate in electricity buyback programs. These units operate independently of the electrical grid and can act as generators during power outages and have a small footprint. However, a backup battery system is recommended for these units to maximize efficiency. Enginuity has a residential and commercial line. The E | ONE is best suited for residential applications, and the E | TWO is better for heavier commercial applications. The U.S. Army has been one of the most prominent supporters of Enginuity, which also manufactures its units exclusively in America. Distribution is done through a third party, including business owners and technicians; Enginuity doesn't deal directly with homeowners or building staff. As a result, A/C service technicians, installers, plumbers, and refrigeration technicians may end up being the people in the middle who do maintenance on Enginuity generators.

After this conversation with Jacques, we are very interested in seeing what the future holds for Enginuity and combined appliances.

Jacques and Nathan also discuss:

• The electrical grid's stability
• Enginuity's revolutionary piston design
• Ease of startup and commissioning
• Pricing questions
• Enginuity's target market and training resources for that target market
• Engine life expectancy
• Enginuity's projected rollout timeline and expansion plans
• Decentralizing power dependence
• Solar vs. fossil fuel energy
• The problem with power plants

Learn more about Enginuity at https://enginuitypowersystems.com/.

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Rick Nadeau, Director of Training and Technical Services at Samsung, talks with Kaleb Saleeby live from AHR. He explains some of the exciting ductless solutions that Samsung has to offer.

Samsung's WindFree mini-split systems work with VRF systems or as normal ductless units. The WindFree product line is best known for preventing drafts due to microholes. These systems come in one-way and four-way cassettes and work very well for sensitive environments like nursing homes and bedrooms.

These units also have humidity sensors that let the units know when it would and wouldn't be acceptable to go into WindFree mode. Samsung's systems may also have occupancy sensors, which determine when they can turn on to provide comfort and flexibility. The systems also have the capability to determine when the system is losing refrigerant to prevent major environmental and performance issues.

Samsung has MaxHeat technology, which allows a system to have 100% heating capacity in low-ambient temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit. So, the lack of reliance on auxiliary heat can reduce energy consumption and costs under most conditions.

In general, much of Samsung's innovative technology is introduced across entire product lines.

In the commercial sphere, Samsung's DVM S is an influential modular chiller and water heating system. Its flexible design (thanks to VRF technology) has made it a popular choice for product storage in vineyards. The DVM S Eco also has heat recovery capabilities.

Rick and Kaleb also discuss:

• Stratification prevention and high-ceiling configurations
• Air velocity and unit cleanliness
• Refrigerant loss detection

Learn more about Samsung's ductless systems and online training programs at https://www.samsunghvac.com/.

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Steve Rogers from The Energy Conservatory (TEC) joins Eric Kaiser to talk about airflow measurement at AHR 2022. Steve is an expert in fluid dynamics and flow measurement, and he is a trainer in addition to being the president and CEO of TEC.

Airflow is one of the most critical elements of an HVAC system; it allows us to move the correct amount of BTUs to condition the air properly. We have various ways of measuring system airflow and airflow to a space. We can use the TrueFlow grid for the former and flow hoods for the latter.

When it comes to measuring airflow, calibrating the instrumentation is crucial. TEC uses a laboratory-grade orifice plate to calibrate the tools. So, the calibration process manages to yield high accuracy while using a low-maintenance device.

To begin measuring airflow properly, start taking the total external static pressure (TESP) and looking at fan charts. TESP doesn't actually measure airflow, but it provides an idea of what the airflow might be like, and it's a practical, useful measurement in the field.

The TEC TrueFlow grid has recently been upgraded, and it's a good step up from taking the TESP and referencing fan charts. It goes into the filter slot and measures the CFM per ton as well as the static pressure.

Steve and Eric also discuss:

• Airflow's effect on latent and sensible cooling
• Blower door setups and chambers
• References for accuracy
• Relationship between static pressure and airflow
• Is the hand-ometer an acceptable form of airflow measurement?
• Challenges of pitot tubes and hot-wire anemometers

Learn more about The Energy Conservatory at https://energyconservatory.com/.

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Brett Wetzel and Kevin Compass from the Advanced Refrigeration Podcast join us to discuss commercial rack refrigeration and identify components.

In supermarket racks, we typically have anywhere from 2-5 compressors on a single rack (with multiple evaporators, metering devices, and sometimes even condensers). These compressors may come in several varieties (including screw and scroll) and be digital or have VFDs. They also have common suction and discharge headers.

The compressors all share oil from a single system. Oil separators can come in three varieties: centrifugal, impingement, and coalescing (most efficient). The separator would feed into the reservoir, which stores oil.

Many rack systems use several different valves. Check valves to direct the refrigerant flow, especially on heat reclaim systems and split condensers. In some cases, there is a three-way valve or a solenoid valve that controls or stops the refrigerant flow. LDR (liquid differential regulating) valves maintain the required differentials during defrost. Ball valves can be found all over a rack (liquid line, suction line, discharge line, etc.) and can isolate a line. Standard and balanced-port TXVs or EEVs may also appear on racks. There is also an EPR, which controls evaporator temperature and pressure.

Grocery systems have a drop leg before the receiver, which stores liquid refrigerant. We want a full column of liquid leaving the receiver, which we can confirm with a sight glass rather than subcooling.

Brett, Kevin, and Bryan also discuss:

• Reheat and excess heat
• Split condensers
• Drain leg/drop leg vs. liquid line
• Mechanical subcooling and heat exchangers
• Counterflow piping
• Hot gas vs. Kool gas defrost
• Standard vs. balanced-port TXVs
• Distributors
• Evaporator fin spacing
• Cleaning components

Check out the Advanced Refrigeration Podcast on any podcast app of your choosing.

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Jim Fultz from Emerson joins Eric Kaiser at AHR to share his knowledge of universal boards and controls. Jim's work focuses on electronic controls within the White-Rodgers brand.

Common White-Rodgers universal controls include the SureSwitch and universal defrost controls. The SureSwitch also has sealed contacts, which prevents insects and debris from shorting out the contacts.

This past year, White-Rodgers debuted the All-Spark, which doesn't need electricity to be powered up and can be programmed right out of the box. The All-Spark works on all sorts of appliances, not just boilers and furnaces.

Universal controls are generally safe to put in combustion units, even gas furnaces. New controls go through rigorous testing before they hit the market. The controls MUST stay within the OEM's guidelines; otherwise, they won't make it to the market. Sometimes, when boards need to be replaced, we also need to upgrade the igniter to match the voltage of the new board.

The goal of universal controls is to save time and hassle for the technicians and the customers, which makes it easier to make sales. It's also easier for the distributor to get fast and accurate solutions to the technicians, especially when OEM parts may not be immediately available due to supply chain issues and normal shipping expectations.

Jim and Eric also discuss:

• All-Spark benefits and features
• Manufacturer-specific vs. general universal controls
• White-Rodgers nomenclature
• Controls instructions
• Distributors and sales reps
• Evolution of controls for direct-spark and hot-surface ignition
• Training techs to install controls on equipment

Learn more about White-Rodgers controls at https://climate.emerson.com/en-us/brands/white-rodgers.

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