- Do you remember the long hot and humid days we had in the summer of 2006? Did your cooling equipment work overtime and did you do anything to service it over the winter? Now that summer is here; it is time to get your cooling system maintained to optimize performance and save energy. What type of cooling system do you have? Bellow is a brief description of different types of cooling systems, components used and proper maintenance.
- Central Air Conditioners
The majority of residential and light commercial cooling equipment uses a central air conditioner consisting of both an indoor and outdoor coil. This system cools indoor air by removing the heat and humidity through an absorption cycle. Warm and humid air is pulled from your building/house, cycled passed cool indoor refrigeration lines, and returned to the house with less heat and humidity. As that warm air passes through the air handler and the indoor refrigeration lines, those lines absorb the heat and humidity and cycle it outside to transfer that heat once it reaches the outdoor condensing coil; ultimately cooling the indoor temperature. - Chillers
A chiller is a refrigeration system that cools water for a variety of applications from space cooling to mechanical process uses. There are two types of chillers; a water- cooled chiller and an air-cooled chiller. Either type of chiller has a specialized heat exchanger. A water-cooled chiller uses a cooling tower to transfer heat whereas an air- cooled chiller uses a condenser to transfer heat. - Cooling Towers
A cooling tower is a specialized heat exchanger in which two fluids (air and water) are brought into direct contact with each other to affect the transfer of heat which is commonly done by spraying water into a rain-like pattern, through which an upward moving mass of cool air is induced by a fan. - Condensers
A condenser is a specialized heat exchanger for a chiller in which refrigerant that has collected indoor heat is cycled through to an outdoor coil where air passes by the line to affect the transfer of heat. - Inspect unit for propoer refrigerant levels, adjust if neccessary
• Clean dirt, leaves and debris from inside cabinet.
• Inspect base pan for restricted drain openings - remove obstructions as necessary.
• Inspect coil and cabinet - clean as needed.
• Lubricate fan motor and fan blades –inspect for wear and damage.
• Inspect control box, associated controls/accessories, wiring and connections.Chiller:
-
• Inspect the chiller as recommended by the chiller manufacturer.
• Routinely inspect for refrigerant leaks.
• Check compressor operating pressures.
• Check all oil levels and pressures.
• Examine all motor voltages and amps.
• Check all electrical starters, contactors, and relays.
• Check all hot gas and unloader operations.
• Use superheat and subcooling temperature readings to obtain a chiller’s maximum efficiency.
• Take discharge line temperature readings. Cooling Tower :
• Clean scale deposits and debris from basin.
• Inspect cooling tower as recommended by manufacturer.
• Clean and adjust spray nozzle and strainer for correct water flow.
• Tighten connections and bearings to ensure design operations.
• Clean debris from the inlets and outlets of the tower to optimize airflow.
• Lubricate fan motor and fan blades – inspect for wear and damage.
• Inspect fan, motor and gear box for proper alignment.
Safety And Efficiency Agreements
Provide Peace of Mind
Call MillerHVAC today to keep cool this summer. We offer a Safety and Efficiency agreement designed specifically to help you escape mechanical system downtime. When your equipment is maintained and inspected on a regular basis, minor adjustments won’t turn into major repairs.
Summer 2007
Is Your Cooling Equipment Ready to Keep You Cool?
Types of Cooling Systems
Cooling System Maintenance
Central Air Conditioners
|
|
