by christheacman | Feb 13, 2022 | HVAC Classes, HVAC Technician
When it’s time to perform maintenance on your HVAC system, it can be tempting to look at residential unit solutions; they’re often less expensive and more simple to perform.
However, this could be a drastic mistake. If this maintenance is under-performed, you could end up paying more money in the long run, while also feeling the heat of frustration. That’s why it’s important to understand the differences between both of these systems.
Residential and commercial HVAC systems both ultimately serve the same purpose: to control the temperature of the environment they’re in. However, they also have many key differences.
For instance, they require different levels of power to operate. They also have varying levels of size, location, complexity, drainage, and more. We invite you to read further to compare these systems, and how they uniquely function in their respective settings.
Location
Residential HVAC systems are commonly located on the side of a house, or in the backyard. This makes them easy to access by a technician while also staying out of sight for aesthetic reasons.
Commercial HVAC systems, on the other hand, are typically located on the roof of their building. This is to accommodate their larger size, prevent noise disturbances, minimize any tampering with the unit, and provide technicians with a safe and non-obtrusive location to perform maintenance on the system.
Size & Complexity
Commercial HVAC systems are notably larger than residential systems. This is because they are expected to maintain the temperature of a much larger area than residential units are.
They’re also more complex than residential systems! In a large commercial building, you may want to have control over partitioned areas of the building. This requires more complex design and functionality, and will certainly require a more elaborate draining system than most residential units would need.
Maintenance Requirements & Cost
A more complex system requires a deeper knowledge of unit maintenance. In many cases, home HVAC systems can be maintained by the homeowner, or via a quick visit by a technician.
This is not the case for commercial systems. For these systems, it is necessary to hire an experienced technician who is familiar with a unit’s functionality and build in order to provide proper care. This means, of course, that the cost of maintaining a commercial HVAC system will be much higher.
Mechanism
The mechanism of a commercial HVAC system can vary depending on the structure of the building it’s meant to serve. These units are often given a modular design, whereas residential systems typically exist as a standalone unit that’s split between the inside and outside of a home.
Because a commercial system has a modular design housed in a single unit, the different components can be easily found and tended to in one place. This is also a more conducive design for expanding or modifying the unit in some way, which a residential unit would not be capable of.
Drainage
Just about every part of a commercial HVAC system is larger than what you would find in a residential system, including the draining system. Because residential units are smaller, they usually only require one drain pan that’s located outside of the house.
A commercial system though, will require a much more intensive drainage system with multiple pipes and pans that ensure 100% evaporation, and reduce the chance that it might overflow.
At the End of the Day
Residential and commercial HVAC systems will both provide their respective settings with the temperature control that is expected of them, granted in very different levels of scope! So long as you’re happy and comfortable where you are, you can be rest assured that your unit is achieving the goal it sets out for.
Contact us to learn how you can find a qualified residential or commercial HVAC technician!
At the Training Center of Air Conditioning & Heating in Houston, TX students have the opportunity to learn true-to-life skills that will immediately transfer into a career in air conditioning and heating! Are you interested in becoming a certified HVAC technician?
We offer flexible classes, financing options, and hands-on experience that’ll prepare you for work opportunities after graduation.
by christheacman | Oct 25, 2019 | HVAC Repairs, Normals of HVAC, Technical Career
Why is it so important to understand what a normal HVAC system looks, sounds, and feels like? Simply put, you must know normal before you can diagnose abnormal. Adopting this philosophy will have a profound impact on how you see and work on almost everything.
No matter what you are doing, if you know what is normal, you will be much more confident in the outcome. Technicians that don’t realize this tend to make many mistakes, incorrect diagnoses, and improper installations. What impact will this have on your HVAC career?
Normal Isn’t Always Good
It should go without saying that normalcy in an HVAC system isn’t always a good thing. For example:
- It’s normal that most a/c systems are installed incorrectly.
- It’s normal for technicians to ignore superheat and subcool when charging or testing a system
Even if being normal isn’t always a good thing, it’s still important to recognize what a normal system looks like. If you know that most systems are installed incorrectly, it will make you look harder and not assume anything. If you know that most technicians ignore proper charging procedures by ignoring superheat and subcooling, you will take a closer look at that even though you may be there for something entirely unrelated to the refrigerant charge.
Identifying Abnormalities
Sometimes knowing normal is knowing how something reacts when it fails. For example, if a liquid line drier starts to clog up, it’s normal for a temperature drop to be detectable from the inlet to the outlet side. It’s also normal for a clean drier to not have a temperature drop. Both of these are the norm for that particular situation, but both equally important to know.
On the other hand, two seemingly opposite functions could also be normal. For instance, an evaporator coil will produce a large amount of water if the air is high in humidity, and none at all if the weather is dry. If you don’t know the difference, you might misdiagnosis a problem based on incorrect knowledge of what the system is supplied to do. Just the fact the coil does or does not produce water means nothing if you don’t understand the differences.
Pro Tip: Even if you notice fluctuations in certain HVAC functions, don’t assume that means there’s a problem. The system may be designed to handle or cause those changes. Stay informed of real problems to watch for.
“Normals” of HVAC Compressors
How much do you know about the normal functions of HVAC compressors? Let’s just consider the temperature of the shell of the three compressors. The scroll on the top of the compressor should be very hot since that’s where the head discharges into the dome. In fact, the entire dome should be very hot anytime the unit is turned on, while the sides are cooled by suction gases and will not be nearly as hot. Since the reciprocating compressor is also cooled by suction gases, you should only notice heat where the hot gas line leaves the shell.
If a technician touches a rotary and assumes it is overheating because he confuses it with a scroll, they’ll misdiagnose a system issue and perform unnecessary work. Similarly, touching a hot reciprocating compressor and assuming it is operating normally because you don’t know better will allow a potentially severe problem to get worse.
Know What a Normal HVAC System Looks Like
It’s been said that “You must know normal before you can know abnormal”. This saying is particularly true in an industry that deals with troubleshooting. The first step toward identifying a problem is knowing what normal operations should look like and what any deviations from the norm could mean.
Connect with us to learn more about normalcy in the HVAC industry and how to identify common issues.
by christheacman | Oct 19, 2018 | HVAC Classes, HVAC System, HVAC Technician
You probably already know that HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning. But do you really know how an HVAC system works? The primary function of the HVAC system in your home is to provide temperature control and produce acceptable indoor air quality (by controlling humidity and filtering the air).
Understanding Your HVAC System
Understanding the basic functions of an HVAC system and how it works is important to maintaining your current system in good condition. Whether you’re troubleshooting a problem or wondering if you need the help of a trained HVAC technician, understanding the basics helps.
- Thermostat
- Furnace
- Evaporator Coil
- Condensing Unit
- Vents
- Refrigerant
- Filters
1) Thermostat
Usually installed on a prominent location on an interior wall, the thermostat can be set manually or programmed to keep your home at your ideal temperature. When the temperature inside gets too hot or cold, the thermostat triggers your HVAC system to start circulating air as needed.
2) Furnace
Your furnace is usually the biggest component of your system, requiring a designated closet or space in your garage or basement. All furnaces consist of four main components: 1) burners that deliver and burn fuel, 2) heat exchangers, 3) a blower and 4) a flue that acts as an exhaust for gaseous by-products.
3) Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil is used to cool down the air when your thermostat is set to a lower temperature. This cold air is then funneled throughout your home.
4) Condensing Unit
This large unit is found on the outside of your home and filled with what is called refrigerant gas. When the refrigerant is cooled, the condensing unit pumps this liquid to the evaporator coil to be transformed into gas again.
5) Vents
These are the outlets that help distribute heated and cooled air from the duct system into the various rooms of your home. They’re generally found near the ceiling with angle slats, designed to send the air downward.
6) Refrigerant
These lines carry refrigerant to the condensing unit in the form of gas. This gas is transformed to liquid form, then transferred back to the evaporator coil.
7) Filters
These lines carry refrigerant to the condensing unit in the form of gas. This gas is transformed to liquid form, then transferred back to the evaporator coil.
Trust an Expert
These are the basic components of your HVAC system, but if you’re experiencing an issue with your heating or cooling, it’s best to call an expert. DIY repair can be costly and dangerous.
Interested in becoming an HVAC tech? Contact Us to learn more or to sign up for classes.
by christheacman | Jun 15, 2018 | HVAC System
An HVAC tune-up can save you money by identifying inefficient energy usage, can reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning on gas heating systems, and can also eliminate neglected problems leading to system failures. To ensure that your heating and cooling system is running at peak efficiency, you should have it checked out by a professional once or twice a year.
HVAC Tune-Up Checklist
Most homeowners aren’t experienced or equipped enough to complete an HVAC tune-up without professional help. However, there are certain checks and preventive measures that every homeowner can do to prevent damage to your HVAC system.
Keep It Clean
Make sure that your AC unit if clear of any debris or lawn growth that could damage it or cause an electrical short. The AC condenser should not be covered up, even though you may not love the way it looks! It needs plenty of fresh air to pump into your home.
Off the Ground
Ideally, your outdoor AC condenser unit should be off the ground, protecting it from potential flood damage or animal activity. If it’s not, you may need a professional to mount a wall bracket or concrete lift.
Change Air Filters
Changing your home’s air filters is essential to your air conditioner’s efficiency. Forgetting to change your air filters can damage your HVAC equipment and cause costly problems. Typical filters should be changed every 30-90 days.
The Professional Advantage
Your HVAC system is a complex network that needs a professional for nearly all repairs. Never attempt to repair your unit or ductwork armed only with a YouTube tutorial video. The risk of injury from electric shock, fall or hardware misuse is high if you lack the experience and training of an HVAC technician.
Contact Us to learn more about hiring a skilled HVAC technician, or becoming one yourself!
