Cold Air and Hot Water

Cold Air and Hot Water ASGD 306 Oct 23, 2009 By Rusty Bookout

Why are Cooling Units Important • Keep food from perishing • Making the home more comfortable • Clean the air • Take humidity out of the home

Types of Cooling Systems Food • Refrigerators • Freezers House • Window Units • Split System AC Units

Common Window Unit • Miniature Version of a Central AC • Most are cost efficient • Space efficient • Ideal for cooling separate rooms • Relatively inexpensive • Quiet for the most part • Simple to install • User friendly

The Parts

How it works • The compressor compresses cool Freon gas, causing it to become hot, high-pressure Freon gas • This hot gas runs through a set of coils so it can dissipate its heat, and it condenses into a liquid. • The Freon liquid runs through an expansion valve, and in the process it evaporates to become cold, low-pressure Freon gas. • This cold gas runs through a set of coils that allow the gas to absorb heat and cool down the air inside the building.

AC Terms • British thermal units (BTU). Generally speaking, a BTU is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound (0.45 kg) of water 1 degree Fahrenheit • The energy efficiency rating (EER) of an air conditioner is its BTU rating over its wattage. You want this number to be as high as possible.

Trouble Shooting It doesn’t turn on • Check the plug • Breaker • The outlet The Fan runs but there is no cold air • Knob is set correctly • make sure compressor is running • heck overload switch • burnt or bad wiring Air is not cold enough • Make sure damper is closed • Unit is uncovered, • Pull unit out and clean • Check the filter.

Extended Trouble shooting Air is cold but the room is not • Close doors to room, • Limit appliances that give off heat • Reduce light • Most commonly the unit is too small Water leaks out the front • The unit is angled the wrong way, take a level a tilt it back. Loud Rattling • Not secured properly • It’s old • The compressor is about to go out. Water sloshing around • Normal because some units have a splash system where the exhaust fan scoops water and throws it onto the hot coils on the back.

Area to be Cooled/ Capacity (BTU/HR) Square FeetBTUs 100-150 5,000 150-250 6,000 250-300 7,000 300-350 8,000 350-400 9,000 400-450 10,000 450-550 12,000 550-700 14,000 700-1000 18,000 • Heavily shaded area’s reduce BTUs by 10% • Rooms with a lot of direct sunlight increase BTUs by 10% • If more than two people live in the room add 600 BTUs per extra person • Units in the Kitchen add 4,000-6,000 more BTUs

Facts and Maintenance Facts • Not good to run when temperatures are below 60 degrees • They will cost you 7-12 cents per hour to run, and for eight hrs $24.40 • Poor installation can be hazardous Maintenance • Clean or replace filter • Clean inside unit (coils, bottom, etc. • Cover during harsh weather • Store in places where rodents can’t nest in it.

Heating Units Kitchen Appliances • Stoves • Ovens • Toasters • Microwaves House • Central heating • Space heaters • Water heaters • Fire places

Water Heaters (Electrical and Gas) • Typically hold 40-60 gallons. • Temperatures range from 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit(Keep between if children are in the household)( 160 if you have a dishwasher) • Heat all the water in the house

Parts

How they work • Water comes out the cold water pipe( Usually has a cut off lever) • Water travels down a tube to the bottom • The water heats on the way down and back up • Water is heated in electrical heaters by heating apparatuses that look a lot like your typical electric stove heaters. • In propane there is a burner at the bottom • Warm water travels up to the hot water outlet do to the fact its less dense. • The water pressure pushes it out into the house

Trouble Shooting (Electrical) No hot water • Check breakers • Flush the heater • Make sure lever is set to open • Check overload switch Not enough hot water • One of the burners may be burnt out • The water heater is too small for the house needs • Turn off dishwasher, faucets, or make sure other showers aren’t running at the same time. • Your taking to much time to shower.

Trouble Shooting (Gas) Pilot light goes out • Don’t crap your pants! There is a sensor next to the pilot light that turns the thermostat off when it goes out. Doesn’t matter if the knob says its on. • Turn switch to ignite , light pilot light which generally is 3-6 inches away from the burner. • When light twist thermostat to desired temp. • Recover the cover over the burner and pilot. Pilot will not stay lit • Relight and make sure it has it’s cover • Replace sensor and or pilot

Trouble Shooting for Both Water is leaking • Check all connections and faucets • If it’s the pressure release valve, decrease water pressure, flush heater, turn temp down, and or replace.(NEVER COVER THIS VERY BAD IDEA). Water is too hot • Adjust thermostat Water heater is noisy • Flush, there may be a large amount of sediment build up.

Interesting Facts and Dangers Facts • Approximately 2/3 of the water heater is actually hot. • Gas water heaters are more energy efficient and heat faster. • You can drink the water in the water heater( Say if your in a natural disaster) • Turn the heater off to say electricity if you are gone for periods of time. Dangers • They can and will blow up if you cap the pressure release valve • Gas heaters emit Carbon Dioxide gas so they need to be vented either through the roof or into a wall. • The water can scald

Next Time Learn how to install • Window Unit • Water Heaters

Cold Air and Hot Water