Steve Tucker – stucker@TuckersAC.comMike Tucker – mtucker@TuckersAC.com

Office (301) 670-0034

MAC-ASHI Presentation Nov. 10, 2010

Credentials

• Master HVAC Maryland 16009• Master Gasfitter Maryland 76408

WSSC 60635

• Working in HVAC trade since 1981 29 Years• Graduated from Lincoln Technical Institute 1982• Started Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating 1995

Bryant Medal of Excellence 2009Top 15 in USA & Canada

Key Changes in the HVAC Industry• 2006 Minimum AC / HP efficiencies now 13 SEER

• Jan 2010 All new equipment manufactured with R410A (Puron)R22 equipment no longer manufactured

• 2020 R22 refrigerant no longer manufactured

• Nov 2010 MEA $500 rebate ends this week

• 2010 $1500 Federal Tax credit for high efficiency AC / HP ends

• 2016 30% Federal Tax Credit for Geothermal equipment ends

• Coming USA zoned efficiency requirements MD 15? SEER & 80% AFUE Northern states have min 90% AFUE Southern states have 16? SEER min

Typical Systems

• Furnace with AC (Natural or Propane Gas / Oil / Electric)

• Heat Pump with AH (Electric / Gas / Oil back-up)

• Water Source HP (condo) uses refrigerant to water heat exchanger

• Geothermal HP

• Mini-Split Ductless HP or AC

• Fan Coil with Water Coil (condo) building supplies hot or cold water to coil

• Boilers Radiators / Baseboards / Radiant Floor

Average Life Expectancy

• Air Conditioner 12 – 16 years

• Heat pump 10 – 12 years

• Furnace 16 – 20 years

Properly installed and well maintained equipment promotes the longest life cycle

How Old is Too Old?

• Nothing is too old to work

• Proper operation and safety is the most important factor Old equipment that is well maintained can provide many years of service

• Inspector should educate on upgrade based upon age / efficiency

• Equipment at the end of the life cycle: Recommend to budget for replacement

• Dirty equipment indicates lack of maintenance not an age problemWe even wipe down the cabinet during maintenancesThe client typically only sees the exterior of the equipment

What are Warning Signs?

• Dirty coils, bushes or weeds growing into outdoor units, abnormal noise

• Rusted flue components or heat exchangers

• Water stains, indicating leakage from the coil, drain or flues

• Missing / clogged filters, indicating probable dirty coils and blowers

• Confined spaces with improper combustion make-up air

When to Call an Expert?

• Any safety concerns delayed ignition exposed wiring gas odors

• Insufficient operation temperature differences well below normal

• Cleanliness issues

• Mechanical noise issues

What Should Inspection Include?

Indoors (General)

• Visual inspection equipment, IAQ components, etc.

• Filter condition type, cleanliness

• Operating noise level

• Duct condition connections, air leakage, damageduct flexing on start up /

shut down

• Condensate pump cycle pump – pour water into sump

What Should Inspection Include?

Indoors (Furnace)

• Temperature Difference Check data plate for temperature rise rating (i.e. 30-60 degrees)

Top 50 to 80 percentile of this scale is best

• Heat Exchanger condition / flame disturbance?

• Venting / Chimney type - does it match equipment requirementhorizontal length / gradenumber of 90’s

What Should Inspection Include?

Air Conditioner or Heat Pump

• Temperature DifferenceStandard equipment: 17-21 degrees (375 – 400 cfm) Hi eff. / var. spd blwr: 18-24 degrees (325 – 350 cfm)

**High indoor humidity conditions will reduce TD by 1-2 degrees**

• Refrigerant Lines Liq. Line normal condition warm summer / winter abnormal conditionvery hot or cold Suction Line normal condition hot winter / cold summer abnormal condition ambient temp sum / win

• Equipment Level, Heat pumps on pump-ups (6” recommended)

What Should Inspection Include?

Indoors (HP / Air Handler)

• Electric heaters Check heater amperage5kw heaters = 18 amps (approx.)

• Temperature Difference during Heating Cycle HP only 18 – 30 degrees (10 – 60 OD

temp) Electric Heaters no range available

What Should Inspection Include?

Attic Systems

• Insulation R-8 is the new standard, confirm in good shape Flex duct insulation falling off

Duct connections

• Drain PanLocated under any water generating equipment i.e. coilsSafety switches Secondary drain to outdoors (recommended)

• Equipment Do not like humidifiers / condensing furnaces in attics

• Work Area Catwalk / work platformLighting

What Would Tuckers Do?

• Increase the technical data gathering and confirm refrigerant charge via charts and calculations

• Remove components to better inspect interior of equipment, i.e. heat exchangers

• Calculate operating CFM, actual Btu output, amp draws, capacitance, electrical connections, etc

• Maintenance items i.e. lubricate motors, clean components, replace filters

Miscellaneous Problems

• Winter AC Inspections recommend 40 degrees or abovepull service historyequipment can hard start in cold conditions

• Noisy Return GrillesSolution: Grille with more free air space, sound lining

• Undercut Doors Carpets at door level can cause insufficient air circulation

• Vibration Scroll compressors can transfer vibration thru the line-set

• OD drains Should only have AC condensate responsibility

**Humidifiers, condensing furnaces should drain / pump indoors only**

Indoor Air Quality Components

Maintenance Requirements

• Humidifiers replacement water panels yearly (some require twice)

• UV Lights replacement bulbs every 2 – 3 years

• Filters 30/60/90/180/360 days MERV 8 recommended minimum

(High Efficiency Media filters can look very dirty at ½ life)

Humidity Conditions

Ideal Summer Humidity 50% RH

Comfort The lower the humidity the cooler you feelex. 76 ° / 60% RH = 78 ° / 50% RH

*The drier the air, the more evaporation from the body, the cooler you feel*

Ideal Winter Humidity 35% - 45% RH

Comfort The higher the humidity the warmer you feel ex. 72 ° / 25% RH = 70 ° / 40% RH

*The more moisture the air has, the less evaporation from the body, the warmer you feel*

Venting Types

• C-Vent (single wall pipe) 6” clearance from combustibles

• B-Vent (double wall pipe) 1” clearance from combustibles

• PVC (1 or 2 pipe) 0 clearance from combustibles

• Masonry Chimney 80% furnaces require pulled liner or chimney friendly kit shared with

HWH

Confined Space Ventilation Requirements

50 cu ft (make-up air required) / every 1000 Btu input (include all equipment that uses ID air for combustion)

Example 1 125K Btu furnace + 40K Btu HWH = 165K Btu total 165 x 50 = 8250 cu ft 8250 / 8 ft ceiling = 1031 sq ft

Example 2 40K Btu HWH40 x 50 = 2000 cu ft 2000 / 8 ft ceiling = 250 sq ft

In example 2, the customer replace his 70% furnace with a new 90% furnace that has a 2 pipe configuration and uses outdoor air for combustion. Furnace Btu input not included in calculation for the ventilation.

*1 pipe configurations still need to be considered for ventilation requirements*

Energy Savings Calculator

Steve Tucker – stucker@TuckersAC.comMike Tucker – mtucker@TuckersAC.com

Office (301) 670-0034

MAC-ASHI Presentation Nov. 10, 2010