Frequently Asked Question
What does the abbreviation 'HVAC' mean?
What certifications does an HVAC specialist need?
How does air conditioning work?
What is a programmable thermostat?
How can you safely do a pump down procedure on a home split cycle AC system?
What is a heat pump?
Why would the air conditioner be blowing hot air instead of cool air?
Where would a leak in a home AC system probably be?
What does the abbreviation 'HVAC' mean?
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning. What certifications does an HVAC specialist need?
First and foremost, they require EPA refrigeration certification. There may also be state and local licenses and certifications that would vary from place to place. But EPA certification is on a Federal level and if you work with refrigerants, you MUST have this certification.
Howdoes air conditioning work?
An air conditioner is a device which uses a special type of substance which readily changes from its normal gas state to a liquid one. The gas is contained in a closed circuit of pipes connected to a pump. The pump compresses the gas so hard that the pressure is great enough for it to turn into a liquid. In doing this the gas/liquid has got hot (If you try to compress a gas, it will almost always get hot - think of a bike pump when you pump up a tyre (tire), the greater the pressure in the tyre, the hotter the pump gets)Now the hot liquid travels round a set of pipes which allow the heat to escape. Next the liquid under pressure passes through a valve into a pipe where the pressure is much lower, and the liquid evaporate back into its gas state. In doing this it needs to take in heat from its surroundings, thus making the pipes colder. The gas now gets back to the pump and the whole cycle starts again.
The pipes are usually arranged so that there are fans to blow air over both the hot part of the pipes and the cold part. The hot part is frequently put outside the house, and the cold part inside. This is called either a 'split pack', or a 'twin pack' depending on which country you are in There are also portable versions which have both parts in the same box, with the cold air blowing out of the front, and the hot air blowing out of a flexible hose which you put outside the room to allow the hot air to dissipate.
What is a programmable thermostat?
A senses the room temperature and controls the HVAC system according to a schedule established by the homeowner. This type of thermostat allows different temperature settings to automatically regulate the HVAC system at different preset times. How can you safely do a pump down procedure on a home split cycle air conditioning system and what tools would you need?
Sorry, but a certified refrigeration tech needs to do it. It is the law the tools are going to cost you more than the service anyway, that's for sure and if you don't get the oil charge right when you re-fill, you will waste your compressor after twenty years in the biz, I have seen it all. Your smart move is to shop around for a tech who is not an idiot.
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump is like a conventional air conditioner except it also can provide heat in winter. In the summer, the heat pump collects heat from the house and expels it outside. In the winter, the heat pump extracts heat from outside air and circulates it inside the house. The heat pump works best when the outdoor temperature is above freezing. Below that, supplementary heat often is needed. A heat pump can save 30 to 60 percent less energy to supply the same heat when compared to an electric furnace with a resistance heating element.In its cooling mode, a heat pump supplies exactly the same kind of cooling as all electric air conditioners. In its heating mode, the temperature of the air supplied by a heat pump is not as hot as the air supplied by a fossil fuel furnace, but the end result is the same a warm, comfortable home. Air temperature from a heat pump at room outlets normally is about 100 degrees Fahrenheit compared to about 120 to 130 degrees from a fossil fuel furnace.
Why would the air conditioner be blowing hot air instead of cool air?
Most likely has a Freon leak, or a control problem causing heat to turn on, or if you have a heat pump the reversing valve has a problem OR Refrigerant is probably low.
Where would a leak in a home AC system probably be?
This question is too broad. If it is a refrigerant leak it is most likely in one of the 2 coils. It could also be in the line set wherever the copper lines were joined with couplings and elbows.
It is also possible that the line set has been punctured with a nail during construction or home improvement.
