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Hauck Brothers

lineset

Lineset

By Cooling, Residential

The lineset is made of copper piping that carries refrigerant from the condenser outside to the evaporator coil inside, then back again. It consists of a smaller liquid line for high-pressure liquid refrigerant, and a larger suction line for hot, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant.

How it works

The lineset for an HVAC system is closed to prevent refrigerant from entering or leaving the system at any point, unless there is a leak or the pressures are being adjusted by a qualified service technician.

Reuse old or replace?

  • Reuse – A lineset may be reused if all of the following items are verified:
    • Have a certified professional verify that it was not leaking.
    • The manufacturer of the new unit allows that size lineset per specifications and it doesn’t exceed their vertical distance.
    • It may run somewhere hard to access such as walls and slabs.
    • If the old lineset is to be used, it needs to be cleaned out by a professional.
  • Replace – If the old line had a leak, possibly if it used R-22, is kinked anywhere, and if the vertical limit exceeds the manufacturers specification, a new lineset is needed.

Protect

It is important to make sure that the lineset is insulated and secured in a fashion that will not allow it to be moved easily. For the exterior of the house, products can be used to cover the lineset that make it blend in to the house.

DIY

It is good to visually inspect the lineset insulation outside to make sure it is secure and well maintained throughout the course of the year. Cover up the lineset to protect from elements.

Have any questions about your air conditioning unit?  Contact us today!

evaporator coil

Evaporator Coils

By Cooling, Heat Pumps, Heating, Residential

An evaporator coil is the part of an air conditioner or heat pump that absorbs the heat from the air in your house. It is located inside the air handler or attached to the furnace.

How it works

Located inside the blower compartment or air handler, the evaporator coil holds the chilled refrigerant that the compressor moves into it.  As the air from the blower fan moves over the coil, the cold refrigerant removes the heat from your home’s air. The refrigerant becomes warmer and travels to the condenser coil outdoors.

With a heat pump, the process reverses in the winter and the evaporator coil expels heat from the refrigerant into your home, instead of absorbing it and taking it outdoors. Most heat pumps have auxiliary heating elements that are part of the evaporator coil components to supply heat when temperatures fall below a certain point.

Types

  • A-Coils – Shaped like an A, produce better airflow which allows for the most efficient airflow allowing for high efficiency ratings.
  • N-Coils – Shaped like an N, are more compact than A-coils and are better suited for tighter applications.
  • Slab Coil – When the coil has to be installed horizontally, these are preferred.

Features

  • ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND, ENERGY-EFFICIENT – Bryant® Preferred™ Series aluminum evaporator coils are designed for use with Puron® refrigerant to provide years of environmentally sound, trouble-free performance.
  • ENHANCED COMFORT – Our Thermostatic Expansion Valve (TXV) ensures proper refrigerant flow during fluctuating pressures and conditions for top reliability and energy-efficient operation.
  • DURABILITY AND DRAINAGE – Our base pan is made of a corrosion-resistant composite material. Integrated sloped drainage helps reduce build-up of mold, bacteria and other airborne pollutants.
  • LASTING LOOKS AND PERFORMANCE – The sturdy cabinet on our cased models is painted to match your Bryant® furnace to provide years of scratch resistant good looks. (Models CAPVP, CAPMP, CNPVP, CNPHP, CSPHP)
  • LONGER LIFE – Bryant advancements in aluminum manufacturing technology result in higher product reliability.

What system is best for you and your family? Contact us for a consultation today or call 937-325-0636!

dehumidifiers

Dehumidifiers

By Cooling, Residential

Dehumidifiers help remove moisture from the air much more quickly than your home’s air conditioning unit.  Together, the two work in concert to create the most comfortable environment for you and your family.  Following is important information for determining whether a dehumidifier would be appropriate for your home.

How does it work?

Dehumidifiers control the humidity level in your entire home. A powerful blower inside the dehumidifier draws air into the cabinet, filters the air and removes moisture, then discharges the dry air into the HVAC system or dedicated area of the home. Inside the cabinet, a sealed refrigeration system removes moisture by moving the air through a series of tubes and fins that are kept colder than the dew point of the incoming air. “Dew point” refers to the temperature at which moisture in the air will condense, much like what occurs on the outside of a cold glass on a hot summer day. The condensed moisture drips into the dehumidifier drain pan to a drain tube routed to the nearest floor drain or condensation pump.

Once the moisture is removed, the air moves through a second coil where it is reheated before being sent back into the home. The air leaving the dehumidifier will be warmer and drier than the air entering the dehumidifier.

Comfort

Excess humidity in your home can wreak havoc on your indoor air quality and your furnishings. By pulling moisture from the indoor air, the whole home dehumidifier not only enhances your comfort but protects your furnishings and enhances the quality of the air that you breathe every day. When first installed, our recommendation is to set it to 55% and then adjust from there to your optimal comfort level.

With a Quiet Comfort system, the precision-tuned fan and motor quietly and efficiently pull air into the dehumidifier with sound levels comparable to most furnaces and fan coils.

Features

Easy, Versatile Control – The on-board LCD control provides a user-friendly interface for setting your desired dehumidification levels. For even greater convenience, the whole-home dehumidifier can be controlled with a relative humidity thermostat or from an available remote control.

Maintenance and Cleaning – Because routine filter cleaning ensures top performance, the dehumidifier control features a built-in “clean filter” reminder. A convenient access door on two sides of the cabinet allows for quick and easy removal and cleaning of the Merv 8 filter.

Customized to your needs – Available in 70 or 95 pint sizes, this dehumidifier offers versatility to fit your comfort needs. It can be zoned to provide separate humidity control for two areas. It can also be installed in multiple configurations and locations.

Energy Efficiency

The energy efficiency of dehumidifiers is measured by its energy factor, in liters of water removed per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy consumed or L/kWh. In general, a higher energy factor means a more efficient dehumidifier. Some dehumidifiers models qualify for the ENERGY STAR label, which they were first able to do in January of 2001. Dehumidifiers that have earned the ENERGY STAR are nearly 30% more efficient than non-certified models.

Tips For Best Performance

To keep your dehumidifier running optimally, be sure to change filter, check the drain for blockages, and apply cleaner to a clean, dry cloth to clean the cabinet.  Want to find out if a dehumidifier is right for your home? Give us a call today!

heat pump comfort features

Comfort Features – Heat Pump

By Cooling, Heat Pumps, Heating

It might seem difficult to think about something called a “heat pump” being of practical use in the summer, but fear not – a heat pump can also cool your home!  Not only that, it does so in an efficient manner and can save you money in energy costs.  ENERGY STAR certified heat pumps have higher ratings for seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER), energy efficiency ratio (EER), and heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) and use about 5% percent less energy than conventional new models.

Most importantly though, it does a great job of keeping you comfortable in your home.

Thermostat

Heat pumps, like traditional central air conditioning and furnaces, can be controlled with a thermostat.  Having a thermostat that can auto change between heating and cooling is essential. New technology like Bryant Evolution Connex and Bryant Housewise allow Wi-Fi connections that allow you to manage your home’s temperature settings from anywhere, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Some thermostats qualify for utility rebates , check with your utility provider.

Back-Up Heating

Normally, air-source heat pumps contain a second source of heat that help warm your home on days when the unit is unable to draw enough warmth from outdoor air.  This is done using electric heat strips within the unit.  Hybrid units combine an electric heat pump and a propane or gas furnace into one, providing a much more energy-efficient alternative.

Dehumidification

We’ve talked about variable fan motor speeds in this space previously, and an added benefit for comfort is a two-stage or variable speed heat pump.  These units run with lower airflow, which reduces temperature swings as well as humidity in the space, making you more comfortable.  The compressor will run longer, but at a lower speed, allowing the air to be treated more efficiently.

Thinking about a heat pump?  Schedule a free consultation with us today!

quality features heat pump

Quality Features – Heat Pump

By Cooling, Heat Pumps, Heating No Comments

In the Miami Valley, air source heat pumps can be a viable option for your heating and cooling needs. They use electricity and are much more efficient than resistance heating units like furnaces and baseboard heaters. High efficiency air source heat pumps can also dehumidify better than standard air conditioners, resulting in less energy use and more thermal comfort during the summer months.

How it works

How does an air source heat pump work?

Like an air conditioner, air source heat pumps have the ability to transfer heat between the building and outside air.  Air source heat pumps also have the ability to heat your building as well.  Each Heat pump has   refrigerant system, which is a compressor and two copper tube coils, one outside and one inside, and the outside coil, which is encased in aluminum fins.  The refrigerant system extracts heat from the refrigerant as it condenses back to liquid for both heating and cooling with a reversing valve. The blower than moves that air though the building ductwork. When the thermostat is satisfied, the unit shuts off.

Compressor Type

When heat pumps were first developed, they used a single speed compressor that only operated at full capacity, thus using more energy and causing it to wear out faster.  Two-speed compressors allow operation at a lower level, which reduces wear and tear and can allow the heat pump to keep different rooms at different temperatures, provided a zone control system is installed.

Single Stage

A single stage air source heat pump turns on when indoor temperatures exceed or are below the temperature setting on your thermostat. Once the temperature set on the thermostat is reached it turns off again. Single stage heat pumps always operate at 100% capacity.

Two Stage

More efficient than single stage units, two stage heat pumps vary their output between two levels: high and low. Ideally, the low stage would satisfy the thermostat most of the time. When necessary, the high stage would turn on. This helps eliminate temperature swings and helps to dehumidify the air, making you feel more comfortable for longer periods of time.

Variable Speed

Variable speed air conditioners precisely control the airflow throughout your home in order to maintain the highest level of comfort. This allows the air conditioner to run continuously, while consuming far less electricity than a single stage air conditioner. The constant airflow has some key benefits: maximum air filtration, dehumidification, minimum cold spots and quieter operation.

Comfort

Heat pumps can be quiet, with models available up to 58 DB. Two stage and Variable speed units with a humidifier help to humidify the air more efficiently during heating cycles and also dehumidify air more efficiently as well during cooling cycles.  Used with an back up furnace, heat pumps can ensure your year round comfort and energy efficiency.

Blower Speed

The type of fan motor can also impact energy savings and air comfort.  A dual-speed or variable-speed motor reduces noise from the blower always running at full speed, and it also keeps air moving comfortably.

Geothermal Heat Pumps

Looking for even bigger savings down the road?  Geothermal heat pumps use the environment around them to transfer heat between the ground (or a nearby water source) and your house.  Since ground and water temperatures remain more constant than air temperatures, the cost to operate these is much lower and can reduce energy use by as much as 50%.

Which heat pump is the right one for your home?  Contact our experts today!