Good to Know Archives - Oldach

How to calculate super heat & subcooling in equipment using geotropic refrigerant

admin2 — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 21:22:02 +0000

Review the Safety Data Sheet (SDS): review the SDS for the refrigerant you are working with.
Revisa el Manual de Datos de Seguridad (MDS): revisa la HDS del refrigerante con el que estas trabajando.
Follow the mandatory steps: follow the three mandatory steps for working with 2L refrigerants: evacuate the refrigerant, purge with nitrogen and perform leak tests.
Sigue los pasos obligatorios: cumple con los tres pasos obligatorios para trabajar con refrigerantes A2L: evacúa el refrigerante, purga con nitrógeno y realiza pruebas de fuga.
Store cylinders properly: store cylinders in a cool, well-ventilated area, out of direct sunlight, and properly strapped into place.
Almacena los cilindros correctamente: guarda los cilindros en un área fresca, bien ventilada, fuera de la luz solar directa y correctamente sujetados.
Avoid damaging cylinders: avoid dropping, denting, or abusing cylinders.
Evita dañar los cilíndros: no dejes caer, golpear o maltratar los cilíndros.
Be aware of charge limitations: be aware of the charge limitations for A2L refrigerants.
Ten en cuenta las limitaciones de carga: conoce las limitaciones de carga para refrigerantes A2L.
Review safety procedures: review and practice safety procedures.
Revisa los procedimientos de seguridad: revisa y practica los procedimientos de seguridad.
AL’s refrigerant, and recovery cylinders use a left-thread adapter.
Los cilindros A2L de refrigerante y recuperación usan adaptador de rosca izquierda.
When the A2L cylinders are horizontal, the relief valve must point to 12 o’clock.
Los cilindros A2L, al estar horizontales, deben tener la válvula de alivio hacia las 12 en punto.
Always wear the correct Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).
Siempre use el Equipo de Protección Personal (PPE) adecuado.
Keep your work area clean, clear and adequate air circulation.
Mantenga su área de trabajo limpia, despejada y una circulación de aire adecuada.
Use tools that are rated for AL refrigerants, tools that reduce the risk of ignition and sparking.
Use herramientas que esté calificado para refrigerantes A2L, herramientas que reducen el riesgo de ignición y chispa.
Have training in handling and servicing A2L refrigerants and systems.
Tener capacitación para manejar y dar servicio a refrigerantes y sistemas A2L.
Know how to reduce the risk of fire and explosions and keep a class B fire extinguisher close.
Conozca cómo reducir el riesgo de incendio y explosiones y mantenga cerca un extintor de clase B.

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Refrigerants Chart

admin2 — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 21:14:38 +0000

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The professional guide to heating and cooling equipment

Oldach Administrator — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 13:52:43 +0000

Your heating and cooling system can be different from your neighbors’—it all depends on what is important to you.To make sure you get the one that’s perfect for your home, build your system according to what’s most important to you: comfort, efficiency, quiet operation or extreme reliability.

For greater efficiency, look for:

Products with efficiencies no less than:

90% AFUE for furnaces
15 SEER for air conditioners
9.50 HSPF for heat pumps
ENERGY STAR® qualification
Variable speed motors
Multi-stage operation
AHRI-matched systems

For greater comfort, look for features such as:

Variable speed motors

Reduce hot and cold areas throughout the home
Improve year-round humidity control
Improve indoor air quality; helps reduce dust and other allergens because of constant air movement
Lower monthly utility bills *

Multi-stage operation

Rather than being “all on” or “all off,” your furnace can adjust its heat output based on conditions inside and outside your home.
Get two air conditioners in one—high-efficiency products with multi-stage compressors will run on the first stage of cooling when temperatures are mild. The equipment will use less energy more often.
When outdoor temperatures reach extremes, the equipment will utilize the additional stage, but will still operate efficiently because of the higher SEER rating.
Lower monthly utility bills *

For the quietest operation, select the following:

Heating

Products featuring Quiet Combustion technology
Small Btu inputs per burner
Gradual start-up avoid whoosing air and duct work “popping”
Insulated cabinets

Cooling

Products with Sound Reduction Technology
Advanced fan blades
Heavy-duty sound blankets

Heat Pumps

Products that include QuietShift™ Technology

* Potential savings may vary depending on age and condition of equipment, personal lifestyle, system settings, equipment maintenance and installation of equipment and duct system.

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Professional tips

Oldach Administrator — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 13:40:40 +0000

We have years of expertise in heating and cooling. Our knowledge can help you save money in many ways, from proper insulation to optimizing the performance of heating and cooling equipment.

Insulation

Proper home insulation is the most important part in conserving energy and keeping your utility bills lower. For average homes, use the below as a guide. Houses located in cold temperatures may need additional insulation to promote desired energy conservation.
- Ceilings: R-30 (10″) Thermal resistance
- Exterior walls, floors (over unheated areas): R-11 (3-1/2″) Thermal resistance
When using your heating or cooling system, keep all windows and doors closed.
Windows allow heat to enter the home in summer and escape the home in winter, but heat transfer can be cut significantly—up to 40% to 50%—by switching to double-glazed windows. These windows have a sealed air space between the two panes of glass.
Get metal-frame or wood-frame storm windows for your home. That extra layer of glass and air cuts heat transfer tremendously, even if your single-glazed windows are high quality.
All entrance doors and windows should have weather-stripping and caulking. Also, if your home has small areas where outside air can filter in, plug them with plastic, caulking or weather-stripping.
Fireplaces should have tight-fitting dampers that can be shut when not in use.

Heating System

Have your thermostat mounted on an internal wall, away from windows and doors.
If you’re expecting a large group of people, lower the thermostat just a couple of degrees. You’ll save on heating bills and have a more comfortable environment.
Set the thermostat as low as comfort permits. Each degree over 68° can add 3% to the amount of energy needed for heating.
Has your ductwork cleaned regularly by a professional?

Efficiency

Humidifiers can help conserve heating costs in wintertime because moist air feels warmer and you can set your thermostat at a lower temperature setting.
Take advantage of a programmable thermostat which allows you to adjust indoor temperatures to your schedule. While away from the house, the system (heating or cooling) can be set to run less frequently, saving energy and money.
When going away on a trip, always adjust the temperature so the heating/cooling system will run less often. You may not want to turn the system completely off because heat often leads to odors or unwanted humidity that can be hard on furniture or other household items. Likewise, allowing your house to get too cold could lead to burst water pipes from freezing conditions.

Cooling System

Make sure your attic is well ventilated. Heat rises, and having larger vents can help relieve heat buildup.
If renovating a roof or building a new home, consider lighter-colored shingles to reflect the sun’s light and heat.
Don’t place heat-producing home devices such as televisions, computers or lamps near or under your thermostat.
Set your temperature as high as comfort will permit.
Consider installing awnings, shades or shutters over windows that are exposed to direct sunlight.
Keep kitchen and bath exhaust fan use to a minimum during summer months.
Draw blinds or drapes during peak daytime temperatures.
In moderate weather, consider opening windows instead of turning on the A/C

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Is it time to repair or replace?

Oldach Administrator — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 13:36:38 +0000

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about your HVAC system until a problem arises, and at that point, it can be almost impossible to ignore. So what do you do? Perhaps you’ve already called a repairman and been told your unit is in need of service. Now you’re looking at the estimate to fix it and wondering, should I repair my unit or replace it? It’s not always an easy decision to make.

Age of your System

The average life expectancy of an air conditioner or heat pump is 10–12 years.
The average life expectancy of a furnace is 15–20 years.
If your unit is nearing the average life expectancy, you’ll need to weigh the repair cost against the possibility that more repairs may be needed very soon, or even a complete replacement.

Consider the 50% rule: When the cost of repairs approaches 50% of the value of your heating or cooling system, it’s generally time to replace the system.

Equipment that is approaching the end of its life expectancy will typically be much less energy efficient than today’s equipment. For example, compare 8–10 SEER on the cooling side, and 68% AFUE for a furnace to modern products that rate as high as 18 SEER and 95% AFUE and you’re looking at some substantial savings on your monthly energy bills when considering a new unit.
Energy costs (gas, oil, electricity) have risen significantly in the last decade, and will likely continue to do so. Consider the energy consumption of your unit and your potential savings over its lifetime.

Financial Incentives

The average life expectancy of an air conditioner or heat pump is 10–12 years.
The average life expectancy of a furnace is 15–20 years.
If your unit is nearing the average life expectancy, you’ll need to weigh the repair cost against the possibility that more repairs may be needed very soon, or even a complete replacement.

Consider the 50% rule: When the cost of repairs approaches 50% of the value of your heating or cooling system, it’s generally time to replace the system.

Equipment that is approaching the end of its life expectancy will typically be much less energy efficient than today’s equipment. For example, compare 8–10 SEER on the cooling side, and 68% AFUE for a furnace to modern products that rate as high as 18 SEER and 95% AFUE and you’re looking at some substantial savings on your monthly energy bills when considering a new unit.
Energy costs (gas, oil, electricity) have risen significantly in the last decade, and will likely continue to do so. Consider the energy consumption of your unit and your potential savings over its lifetime.

Home Improvements

If there have been upgrades made to your home that improve its insulation and energy efficiency (new windows, doors, insulation, roofing, sealing, etc.), then your current unit may actually be oversized or undersized for your needs.

A smaller unit would cost less and use less energy to run.
Conversely, your current unit may be too small and may be working harder and less efficiently than it should.

Research shows that water heating, and air conditioning and home heating account for more than 50% of domestic energy use.

Environmental Impact

Research shows that water heating, air conditioning and heating account for more than 50% of domestic energy use.* It’s good to know that modern equipment uses less energy and will reduce your carbon footprint.
Newly manufactured air conditioning units have changed to R410a refrigerant, a much more environmentally friendly product than its predecessor, R22.
Consider choosing ENERGY STAR® heating and cooling equipment to lower your energy footprint.

Comfort

Are you happy with your current system? Your old HVAC system can be responsible for things like air quality, noise, temperature swings, and hot or cold spots throughout the house.
Over the last decade, modern systems have incorporated major advances in home comfort technology.

* U.S. Department of Energy Statistics

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Energy Efficiency

Oldach Administrator — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 13:22:55 +0000

Lower long-term energy costs mean lower cost of ownership

When selecting commercial heating and cooling equipment, efficiency is one of the most important points to consider. Using more energy-efficient equipment will not only help buildings stay within code and earn possible incentives for smart energy use—it will also reduce daily operating costs without sacrificing the quality and comfort of the work environment.

In heating and air conditioning, there are three main terms used to rate and compare energy use between pieces of equipment.

Heating Season Performance Factor (HSPF)

Typically used to measure the efficiency of heat pumps, HSPF is the ratio between heat energy supplied to a building during a typical heating season compared to the amount of electricity consumed. The higher the HSPF, the less electricity is needed to deliver a set amount of heat.

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)

Used to rate the energy efficiency of air conditioners, SEER is the ratio between the amount of cooling output a unit produces during a typical cooling season divided by the total amount of electricity it consumes while doing so. The higher the SEER, the more cooling is produced per watt hour of electricity, and the lower HVAC costs become during the summer. For example, our most efficient rooftop unit, the K-Series has SEER ratings up to 14.0.

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)

The efficiency of combustion-based heating equipment is measured in AFUE, which is a measure of the usable heat put off by a furnace compared to the amount of energy consumed in the process. The higher the AFUE, the less heat and fuel a furnace will waste during daily operation, and the less it will cost per season to use. Learn more about our most energy-efficient products.

What is your regional Energy-Efficiency Standard?

Federal minimum energy-efficiency standards for residential air conditioners, heat pumps and package units went into effect on January 1, 2015. For the first time, efficiency requirements for these products are based upon the state (region) where they are installed.

Requirements by Region

North

Air Conditioners — 13 SEER
Heat Pumps — 14 SEER/8.2 HSPF
Package Air Conditioners/Gas Electric — 14 SEER/81% AFUE
Package Heat Pumps/Dual Fuel — 14 SEER/8.0 HSPF/81% AFUE

SOUTHWEST

Air Conditioners — 14 SEER/12.2 EER (45K BTU/h)
Heat Pumps — 14 SEER/8.2 HSPF
Package Air Conditioners/Gas Electric — 14 SEER/11.0 EER/81% AFUE
Package Heat Pumps/Dual Fuel — 14 SEER/ 8.0 HSPF/81% AFUE

SOUTHEAST

Air Conditioners — 14 SEER
Heat Pumps — 14 SEER/8.2 HSPF
Package Air Conditioners/Gas Electric — 14 SEER/ 81% AFUE
Package Heat Pumps/Dual Fuel — 14 SEER/8.0 HSPF/81% AFUE

For cooling units manufactured on or after January 1, 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy has changed the minimum efficiency from 13 SEER to 14 SEER for equipment installed in the Southeast and Southwest regions. For the North, heat pumps must be a minimum of 14 SEER, but 13 SEER split air conditioners can still be legally installed.

A limited quantity of 13 SEER cooling units manufactured before January 1, 2015 can still be legally installed in all regions for at least the next 18 months.

If you have any questions about requirements and terms, or need help finding the product that’s best for you, contact your Armstrong Air dealer,

How You Can Benefit from Higher Standards

Switching to high-efficiency cooling equipment can help you save money on your monthly utility bills. The higher the efficiency rating, the more you can save. Efficient products can also increase the resale value of your home and may be eligible for local or state government and utility rebates.

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