Air Flow For Technicians

1
Air Side Diagnostics

2
Course Objectives
Understand the importance of airflow and
knowing airflow on jobs
Understand the basics of duct pressures
Understand the basic operational
characteristics of various blower drives
Understand the factors that contribute to
poor airflow
e able to identif! s!mptoms of poor airflow
in the heating and cooling modes
e familiar with the various methods of
checking and adjusting airflow
"
#h! is Airflow $mportant%
&
An air conditioning s!stem contains three circuits'
An electrical circuit ( )ransformer * +lectric ,anel
A refrigerant circuit - Compressor
An air flow circuit ( lower motor .furnace*air handler/
$f an! of these circuits are broken0 the s!stem will fail to perform correctl!
Unfortunatel!0 in air conditioning0 the air is the least tangible and most
commonl! overlooked aspect of the overall s!stem
$n 12AC0 airflow is measured in C34 or cubic feet of air per minute
5
Airflow is the hidden or least tangible aspect of 12AC but it is one of the
most important
6egardless of the e7uipment installed0 as long as it is forced air e7uipment0 if the
proper amount of air is not allowed to circulate through the e7uipment and be
distributed through the conditioned space0 problems will occur
3ewer C34 or 8turning the air over9 at a slower rate will result in reduced capacit!0
e:tended run times0 lead to higher operating costs and shortened e7uipment life
A gross lack of indoor airflow e7uates to an inabilit! to 8turn the air over9 at a rate
which is re7uired to maintain space temperature;
S!stem capacit! is reduced
Space temperature can not be maintained on certain da!s when the heating or cooling load is
significant
)his often gets attributed to poor si<ing of e7uipment0 insulation or simpl! that it is too
hot or cold outside
On service calls where it 8just isn=t cooling9 or 8can=t keep up90 airflow should be the first thing
checked;
Airflow is alwa!s important but especiall! so when it comes to air conditioning; +ver
wonder wh! there is a distinction between heating and air conditioning%
)o warm as space0 warm air need onl! be introduced to the space> although it is preferable0
the cold air does not need to be removed or conditioned; Sensible heat is added to the air in
the space through convection;
)he same does not hold true with air conditioning> the air must be removed from the space via
the return duct0 conditioned .cooled ? dehumidified/ and then returned to the space; Unlike
heating0 simpl! blowing cool air into a space will not result in the occupants comfort;
@
)he refrigerant circuit and the air circuit are interrelated
( changes to airflow can and will effect the refrigerant
circuit
Aike water in a pot0 refrigerant boils .absorbs heat/ in the
evaporator0 turning to vapor
Bust as the burner or stove provides heat to boil the water in the
pot0 the air flow across the evaporator coil provides heat to boil
the refrigerant in the evaporator
C
Depending on the amount of heat present0 the water
will boil to a vapor at a faster or slower rate ( too little
heat and the water will never boil0 too much and it will
boil awa! too 7uickl!; )he same holds true for the
refrigerant in the evaporator
$deall!0 the heat .airflow/ applied to the evaporator
remains relativel! constant and the refrigerant
evaporates*boils at a predetermined rate
D
#e can see in the diagram on
the right that refrigerant enters
the evaporator0 through the
e:pansion valve as a li7uid and
is boiled to a vapor b! the heat
from the inside air;
#e measure the suction line
temperature0 when we check
superheat;
Aow or no superheat indicates
that the refrigerant didn=t boil
fast enough ( )here was not
enough heat*air present to boil
the refrigerant at the designed
rate
1igh superheat would indicate
that there was either an
e:cessive amount of heat or
too little refrigerant in the
evaporator and that it boiled
awa! too 7uickl!
E
As mentioned on the
previous slide0 a lack of
airflow across the
evaporator can result in
refrigerant not
changing to 1FFG
vapor .F superheat/ (
when this is the case0
li7uid refrigerant ma!
be returning to the
compressor; )his is
known as li7uid flood
back or slugging and
can result in
compressor failure;
1F
#e probabl! recogni<e the image above as a manufacturer=s charging chart; $f we use this correctl!0 the
chart will tell us how to adjust our refrigerant charge to the correct level;
Aets look at what the chart is asking us'
$ndoor wet bulb ( this is an indication of the amount of heat in the indoor air .load/
Outdoor dr! bulb ( this determines the head pressure in the condenser that will be e:erted on the metering device
and thus a determining factor for the low side*suction pressure
Aets also take note of what the chart doesn=t ask us ( the 7uantit! of indoor air; $t does not ask this
value because this is an assumed value with which the unit was designed to work; )hat design value is
400 CFM per ton 400 CFM per ton;
)he engineers who designed the unit and provided the charging chart did all of their testing and calculations based
on that &FF C34 per ton number
$f we can not confirm that the unit we are working on has &FF C34 per ton of indoor airflow0 then the charging
chart provided with the equipment is not accurate and can not be used to assess charge; ( #e aren=t adding
heat to the refrigerant in the evaporator coil at the designed rate;
)he take awa!' Air flow must be confirmed before checking chargeH
11
$n the same wa! that indoor airflow affects the refrigerant circuit in
the cooling mode0 a lack of indoor airflow will also affect the
refrigerant circuit in the heating mode of a heat pump
$n the cooling mode0 indoor air added heat to the refrigerant in the
evaporator0 causing it to boil * evaporate and superheat
$n the heating mode0 indoor air cools or removes heat from condenser
coil .indoor coil/ causing it to condense and subcool
12
A lack of indoor airflow across the condenser .indoor/ coil in the heating
mode will effect the refrigerant circuit in a number of wa!s
1igh side pressure will increase
Create high pressure faults ( generate service calls
$ncrease operating costs
Create strain on the compressor which ma! lead to failure
6educe subcooling
6educe s!stem capacit! which ma! lead to longer run times and an inabilit! to maintain
space temperature
1"
$ndoor airflow can also effect
the operation of gas and oil
furnaces;
As fossil fuel is combusted0 the
heat e:changer is heated
$ndoor air is circulated across the
heat e:changer
)he heat e:changer is designed to
have a specific amount of indoor
air moving across it; #hen the
correct amount of indoor air is
present'
)he heat e:changer will maintain
it=s design temperature
)he ) .difference in air
temperature across the coil/ will fall
within a specified or design range
1&
#hen too little indoor air is present'
1eat e:changer temperature rises
1igh limit trips ma! occur
1igh limit trips ma! generate service calls
Unit c!cles on limit ( causing the heat e:changer to heat and cool .e:pand and
contract/ more often and lead to heat e:changer failures
) increases and moves out of design range
)he furnace ma! e:perience longer run times
$ncreased energ! bills
Aess heat is transferred to the air and more heat is going out the chimne! * vent
Aonger run times e7uate to more fuel and electricit! being consumed
Space temperature ma! not be maintained ( generates service call
$ncreased flue temperatures
ma! result in au:iliar! limits opening and service calls being generated
4odern heat e:changers are ver! thin0 compared to older designs;
4ost modern furnaces will lock out after a certain number of high limit
trips0 unlike older furnaces which allowed for the unit to c!cle on limit
4odern designs have a lower tolerance for over heating
#here older designs could be allowed to c!cle on limit with little concern for the
heat e:changer0 the constant heating and cooling effect this has on modern
designs can lead to heat e:changer failure
15
+lectric furnaces or heat
packages can also become
damaged if indoor airflow is
inade7uate
+lectric heat packages are
protected b! limits much in the
same manner that heat
e:changers are
Aock outs do not usuall! occur
.allowed to c!cle on limit/
$f allowed to over heat
Coils ma! fail .burn open/
ecome grounded creating a
potentiall! dangerous situation
6un times will be e:tended
ecause of the high cost
associated with electric heat
operation0 utilit! bills ma! be
significantl! higher when indoor
airflow is poor
1@
So0 to summari<e0 wh! do we sa! that indoor airflow is so important%
,oor airflow results in loss of cooling and heating capacit!
Aonger run times e7uate to higher operating costs and shortened e7uipment life
Iross loss of capacit! e7uates to an inabilit! to maintain space temperatures in
both heating and cooling modes of operation
)he refrigerant circuit is affected b! airflow
Ai7uid flood back and compressor damage can occur when airflow is inade7uate
in air conditioning
1igh head pressure and low subcooling can result during heat pump operation
which ma! lead to head pressure faults0 compressor failure and higher operating
costs
6efrigerant charging charts provided b! the manufacturer are onl! accurate
when airflow is confirmed to be &FF C34 per ton
Airflow needs to be checked*confirmed before charging
An! charging based on a charging chart will be incorrect if airflow is not first
confirmed and ma! lead to the s!stem being either over or under charged
3urnace heat e:changers ma! overheat
Damage to e7uipment ma! occur
+lectric heat packages ma! overheat
Damage to e7uipment ma! occur
Dangerous conditions ma! be created
1C
Duct ,ressures and lower Drives
1D
)he pressures in the duct s!stem directl! effect
s!stem performance and can be used as an indicator
of airflow
Although other methods of measuring airflow are available0
duct pressures are the technician=s main diagnostic tool
when determining airflow and contributing factors
)here are three pressures present in a duct s!stem
Static pressure
)he pressure e:erted outward .or inward/ on the duct work
2elocit! pressure
)he pressure created b! the movement of air in the duct
s!stem
)otal pressure
)he sum of the static and velocit! pressures
1E
Static pressure is a positive
pressure on the suppl! side of
the duct s!stem and a
negative pressure on the
return side of the duct s!stem
2F
A manometer or 4agnehelic gauge are the instruments most
commonl! used to measure duct pressures
Duct pressure is measured in inches of water column .8#C/
Duct pressure usuall! ranges from F;F1 ( 1;FF9
4a! be single port .measure onl! one value at a time/ or two port
.differential/
21
$n addition to the manometer0 probes or 8tips9 are re7uired to take duct
pressure readings
Static pressure tips
6ead static pressure in the duct s!stem
)otal pressure tips
6ead both static and velocit! pressure simultaneousl!
2elocit! pressure can not be read directl!
)otal pressure ( static pressure J velocit! pressure
A differential manometer or 4agnehelic gauge0 e7uipped with static and total pressure
probes will read velocit! pressure directl! .shown below/
22
A variet! of static pressure
tips are available
)ip KD= is a popular option
but something as simple as
KA= or KC= will also work for
field measurements
A-"F" is for field
measurements while A-"F2
is used for permanent
installation
#hen static pressure tips
are inserted into duct work0
care should be taken to
ensure that the opening is
not oriented in such a wa!
that velocit! pressure ma!
affect the reading
2"
A popular static pressure probe is shown
on the right;
)he end of the probe is sealed and small
holes on the side allow for static pressure
to be read
As stated previousl!0 ensure that the
openings are not parallel with the duct
work
the tip of the probe should point in the
direction of airflow
)otal pressure probes are open at the end
and allow moving air to enter the tip
)hese tips measure both velocit! and static
pressure simultaneousl!
Care should be taken to ensure that the tip
of the probe is facing into the airstream
)oward the blower on the suppl! side
Awa! from the blower on the return side
2&
,itot )ube
)here is another probe
option known as a
pitot tube; )his probe
is a combination of
both the static and
total pressure probes
in one;
)wo hose connections
to connect to a
differential manometer
or 4agnehelic gauge
25
Comparing pitot probe .top right/ to
total and static pressure probes .top
left/
2@
As stated earlier0 dual port manometers and
4agnehelic gauges have the abilit! to read
the difference between their ports
$f both pressures are of a positive value then
the pressure read is the difference between
those two values
, J ,1 ( ,2
+:' F;C J 1;F ( F;"
)his t!pe of differential measurement could be
used to measure velocit! pressure .total
pressure ( static pressure/ as shown on the
previous slide or the pressure drop across a
coil or filter
$f one of the pressures is a negative pressure
.such as in the case of the return static/ then
the pressure read will actuall! be the sum of
the two values
, J ,1 ( ,2
+:' F;E J F;5 ( .-F;&/ or F;5 L F;&
)his t!pe of differential measurement could be
used to determine total static pressure .the
sum of the return and suppl! static pressures/
2C
elow ( An e:ample of a
differential .2 port/
manometer reading 2
positive pressures
Above ( An e:ample of a
differential .2 port/
manometer reading one
positive pressure and one
negative pressure
2D
2elocit! pressure can be used to determine velocit!
.3,4/ and airflow .C34/ but is not a popular or
commonl! used method of determining either of
these values
Simpler and more effective methods of determining airflow
and velocit! e:ist
)hese methods will be reviewed later in this presentation
)his means that0 as technicians0 static pressure is the
duct pressure that we will be most concerned with
)otal pressure tips are not necessar! for most tasks
Differential manometers or 4agnehelic gauges are
convenient0 but not necessar!0 for most tasks
2E
Static ,ressure
,ressure e:erted outward .suppl!/ or inward .return/ on the
duct s!stem b! the blower
)he greater the restriction to airflow0 the greater the static
pressure will be
)he greater the static pressure0 the less airflow will be
delivered b! the blower motor
A duct s!stem and it components .coil0 air filter0 registers0
fittings0 etc;/ should be designed to create a specific amount
of total static pressure
)otal static pressure .total e:ternal static pressure/ is the
pressure that the blower motor is working against and is the
sum of the return and suppl! static pressures
Ienerall! the total static pressure rating for most blower
motors is F;59wc
"F
1ere we see that each
component adds a
certain amount of static
pressure to the total
s!stem
)he )+S, is the
sum of all of
these static
pressures
+ver!thing in a
duct s!stem adds
static0 including
different fittings0
duct materials0
bends0 etc;
$n this e:ample0
the )+S, e:ceeds
the data plate
rating of F;5F9wc
"1
)otal e:ternal static pressure .)+S,/ is the total pressure that the blower is
working against and is the sum of the return and suppl! static pressures
"2
Duct ,ressure and lower Drives
elow are the recommended probe locations for taking a total e:ternal static pressure readings;
)+S, is the sum of these two readings
3urnace readings should be taken on the blower side of the filter and on the furnace side of the coil
$t can often be difficult to access the area between the top of the furnace and the bottom of
the coil ( if this position is not attainable0 the static probe ma! be placed through the high
limit knock out of the furnace
Air handler readings should be taken in the suppl! plenum and in the return before the filter
$f the filter is not a standard "F da! filter0 the reading should be taken on the blower side of
the filter
Furnace probe locations Air handler probe locations
""
Once we know the total e:ternal static pressure0 we can consult the
manufacturer=s blower performance chart to determine C34
)his is one of the easiest wa!s to determine airflow through a s!stem
)he diagram gives an e:ample of a blower performance chart
#e can see that at F;@F9wc the blower0 on high speed0 is delivering 121E
C34 ( enough for a " ton s!stem;
At F;EF9wc0 the unit is onl! delivering D"& C34 ( onl! enough for a 2 ton
s!stem
"&
)otal e:ternal static pressure is a 7uick and eas! wa! for the technician to get the
s!stem airflow and a general idea about pressures in the duct s!stem
$ndividual static pressure readings taken at various points in the s!stem can tell us
even more about what is contributing to the total e:ternal static pressure and help us
to pin point problems
3or e:ample0 if we find that our )+S, is e:cessive0 we can then look at the static pressure
on the return side compared to the suppl! side and determine which side of the duct s!stem
is more restrictive
Drops across fittings and duct components can help the technician identif! 8pinch points9 in the duct
s!stem
elow is an illustration of a technician identif!ing a duct restriction b! taking static pressure
readings along a suppl! trunk
"5
)he difference in pressure readings on either
side of duct components .coils0 filters0
dampers0 fittings etc;/ is known as a
pressured drop
)he pressure drop across a coil0 filter or even a
duct fitting0 can indicate how much static is being
added b! that component
$s a coil0 filter or fitting dirt! or too restrictive%
)he pressure drop across a clean coil or filter can
also be used to determine airflow
Mnown as pressure drop or calibrated resistance method
for determining airflow
"@
"C
)he diagram to the right
indicates probe positions
for pressures drops over
the filter and coil of a
t!pical furnace
Mnowing how much
static a component is
adding to the s!stem can
help the technician to
identif! wh! total
e:ternal static pressure
is high and how much
blower performance is
impacted b! a specific
component
"D
,ressure drop to determine
airflow
As stated previousl!0 the
pressure drop across a coil or
filter can be used to determine
airflow
Similar to the blower
performance chart0
manufactures of coils and
filters publish charts like the
one shown to the right and
can be used b! the technician
as a method of determining
C34;
Coils are usuall! rated as wet;
4eaning that there must be
condensation on the coil in
order for the reading to be
accurate
Coils 4US) be confirmed to
be clean
3ilters 4US) be new
2elocit! must be within
specified range
"E
STATIC DROP
ACROSS EVAP
Gas
Furnace
High limit can be temp
removed to get supply air
press under coil if access to
underside of coil is not
available
ON GAS FURNACES:
Air Filter
&F
As stated previousl!0 the duct s!stem should be designed0 among other things0 to impose a certain amount of
static pressure; elow are some general numbers indicating what pressures would ideall! be measured at various
points in the s!stem
6eturn duct ( F;1F9 ( F;159
Duct F;FD9 ( F;1F9
6egisters ( F;F29 ( F;F59
Suppl! duct ( F;1F9 ( F;159
Duct F;FD9 ( F;1F9
6egisters ( F;F29 ( F;F59
eneath evaporator coil ( F;"F9 ( F;"59
Coil ( F;2F9 ( F;"F9 .wet*dr!/
Suppl! duct ? registers ( F;1F9 ( F;159
lower side of filter ( F;2F9 ( F;"F9
3ilter ( F;F59 ( F;29
6eturn duct and grills ( F;1F9 ( F;159
&1
A ductulator is commonl! used to si<e
ductwork
4a! be used b! the technician to
Determine if duct is si<ed properl!
Determine how much static pressure a
section of duct work or fitting should
impose on a blower drive
Determine the velocit! of air that should be
moving through a section of ductwork
&2
! setting the desired*design C34 .&FFC34*ton/ to the desired or accepted static pressure0 the designer or technician can determine the si<e
duct .round or rectangular/ that is ade7uate to move the prescribed amount of air and impose the specified static pressure on the blower
)he velocit! of the air moving through the duct is also given
NO)+' )he static pressure imposed is per 1FF= of duct
+:ample ( .Assumes O 1FF= of duct/ DFFC34 will move through 1F9:1&90 129:1290 etc; or 1"9 round at about E5F3,4 while imposing F;1F9 #C
of static pressure on the blower motor
&"
Another design consideration0 which is often overlooked0 is velocit!
+ach section of duct work .suppl! trunk0 return truck0 branch ducts0 etc;/ has a recommended velocit! .see ne:t slide/
! setting the desired*design C34 .&FFC34*ton/ to the desired or accepted velocit!0 the designer or technician can determine the si<e duct
.round or rectangular/ that is ade7uate to move the prescribed amount of air at the desired velocit!;
)he static pressure that will be imposed can also be referenced
+:ample ( DFFC34 will move through 1F9:1@90 D9:2F90 etc or 1&9 round duct at DFF3,4 while imposing F;FC9#C of static pressure on the
blower motor .assumes O 1FF= duct/
&&
1ow is Airflow Checked%
6ecommended velocities for residential duct
s!stems ( rigid metal
Suppl!
Suppl! trunks ( CFF .EFF ma:/
ranch ducts ( @FF .EFF ma:/
6egisters ( Si<e for throw
6eturn
6eturn trunks ( @FF .CFF ma:/
ranch runs ( &FF .CFF ma:/
6eturn grill ( 5FF ma:
3ilter grill ( "FF ma:
&5
Duct s!stems and fittings become restrictive when the designer
does not account for
Duct s!stem e:ceeding 1FF=
Ainear e7uivalenc! of duct fittings
A duct s!stem which was designed a F;1F9#C but has a total linear
e7uivalenc! of 2FF= will impose F;2F9#C static pressure on the blower
instead of F;1F9
&@
&C
So0 to summari<e0 static pressure and total e:ternal static pressure are the
pressures with which we0 as technicians0 are most concerned with;
#e should know'
Static pressure
)he non moving pressure0 e:erted outward or inward on the duct s!stem
Duct s!stems are designed to impose a certain static pressure on the blower motor
Duct components .filters0 coils0 etc/ contribute to static pressure in the duct s!stem
)otal e:ternal static pressure
)otal pressure that the blower is operating against .sum of suppl! and return/
Can be compared to a blower performance chart to determine total airflow in the
s!stem
lower motors are usuall! rated for F;59wc total e:ternal static pressure
,ressure drop
)he difference between the static pressure on either side of a duct component .coil0
filter0 fitting0 etc;/
$ndicates how restrictive a duct component is or how much static pressure it is
contributing to the s!stem
Can be used to determine airflow
4easurements are made with a manometer or 4agnehelic gauge and are read
in 8#C
&D
Different blower drives react differentl! to duct
pressures; )he technician should be familiar with the
basic operating characteristics of each drive
&E
( ,SC Drives
)he ,SC blower drive is the oldest and most common drive found in the field toda!
)he ,SC blower drive is a slave to static pressure
As static pressure increases0 airflow decreases
As static pressure decreases0 airflow increases
#e can see this illustrated in a blower performance chart below
5F
( ,SC Drives
)he amp draw of a ,SC blower drive is directl!
related to the amount of air it is moving
)he airflow is the load
)he more air the blower is moving0 the higher the amp draw
)he less air the blower is moving0 the lower the amp draw
So0 as the static pressure in the s!stem increases0 airflow
decreases and amp draw goes DO#N
As static pressure in the s!stem decreases0 airflow increases
and the amp draw goes U,
)aking the amp draw of a ,SC blower motor with the blower
door off is not an accurate assessment of the operating amps
of the blower under operating conditions
51
Duct ,ressures and lower
Drives ( ,SC Drives
Determining the correct blower speed
lower speed for heating should be adjusted so that the ) falls
within the specified range
lower speed for cooling should be set to provide &FF C34 of
airflow per ton of air conditioning
lower speed is selected and total e:ternal static pressure measured;
lower performance chart is referenced and C34 determined
$f the C34 is less than or greater than the desired amount0 a new speed is
selected and the process repeated
52
P-1" .standard +C4/ Drives
)he standard +C4
drive0 also known as
the P-1" is a DC motor
which operates off of
2&v signals that
energi<e various speed
taps
1igh voltage and 2&v
common should alwa!s
present at the motor
5"
Standard +C4 motors can have up to 5 speeds
Not all speed taps are necessaril! programmed
Ienerall!0 the higher the Q0 the higher the speed;
)his is not necessaril! alwa!s the case> manufacturers ma! program the speed taps an! wa!
the! desire
lower speed is adjusted b! moving the 2&v connection to the desired Q tap
5&
Duct ,ressures and lower Drive
P-1" .standard +C4/ Drive
)he standard +C4 drive reacts to static pressure in the
duct s!stem similarl! to a ,SC motor
As static pressure changes0 so does the amount of air that the
blower delivers
lower curves or performance charts are available
)he standard +C4 maintains a better curve than a ,SC blower
C34 does not drop as drasticall! with static increase as the ,SC drive
Unlike the ,SC motor0 as total e:ternal static pressure increases0
the amp draw of the standard +C4 will increase;
At too high of total e:ternal static pressures0 this motor ma! cut out
to protect it=s components from damage;
1igher static J 1igher operating costs and greater wear on motor
55
X13 Motor Airflow Example
1000
1100
1200
1300
1400
1500
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Static Pressure
A
i
r
f
l
o
w

(
C
F
M
)
X13 Air High Speed
X13 Air Low Speed
PSC Motor Airflow Example
1000
1100
1200
1300
1400
1500
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Static Pressure
A
i
r
f
l
o
w

(
C
F
M
)
PSC Air High Speed
PSC Air Low Speed
(300)
(324)
(338)
(372)
(237)
(255)
(263)
(Watts)
(535)
(502)
(460)
(390)
(462)
(406)
(385)
(Watts)
0.5 0.5
Duct ,ressures and lower Drive
P-1" .standard +C4/ Drive
5@
Determining the correct blower speed is nearl! identical to the ,SC motor
lower speed for heating should be adjusted so that the ) falls within the specified
range
lower speed for cooling should be set to provide &FF C34 of airflow per ton of air
conditioning
lower speed is selected and total e:ternal static pressure measured;
lower performance chart is referenced and C34 determined
$f the C34 is less than or greater than the desired amount0 a new speed is selected and the
process repeated
5C
( 2ariable Speed +C4 Drives
)he premium +C4 .variable speed/ drive is a
dual voltage motor that operates off various
voltage signals from a control board
1igh voltage is alwa!s present at the motor
Speeds are selected through the control board b!
setting D$, switches or jumpers
5D
The 120vac input uses a
jumper (red wire)
The 240vac input does
not use a jumper
5-pin Power connector
5E
Thermostat sends demand
(24vac) to OEM Control Board
OEM Control Board sends
selected airflow communication
per demand to the motor
@F
Unlike the PSC and standard
ECM drives, the variable
speed drives are designed to
maintain airflow regardless of
static pressure
This feature has a limit at
around 0.9 1.0WC airflow
will begin to drop
As static pressure increases,
the amp draw of the motor
increases
At too high of total
e:ternal static pressures0
this motor ma! cut out
to protect it=s
components from
damage;
1igher static pressures
ma! result in higher
operating costs and
duct*velocit! noise
Air Volume vs Ext SP
900
1000
1100
1200
1300
1400
1500
1600
1700
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
Ext Static Pressure (" H2O)
C
u

F
t
/
m
i
n
1-ph PSC Lo 1-ph PSC Med 1-ph PSC HI ECM
@1
Setting and confirming airflow
1eating speed
Speed is selected based on R)
Cooling speed
Cooling speed is set for &FF C34 per ton of air conditioning
)he COOA and ADB taps are set to provide the desired C34
@2
,rogrammed airflow can be confirmed b! observing the C34 indicator
light
)!picall! flashes once per 1FF C34
)o determine the selected C340 count the number of flashes between
pauses and multipl! b! 1FF .unless programmed otherwise/
Note' Since static will be low due to the removed panel0 6,4 will be
lower to maintain the selected C34
@"
S!mptoms of ,oor Airflow
@&
#hat are s!mptoms of poor
airflow%
)here are various s!mptoms that can
help us to identif! airflow issues; Some
are obvious while others re7uire
diagnostic readings;
#e will review the s!mptoms and
causes of poor airflow as well has how
to identif! them
@5
As discussed earlier0 low indoor airflow impacts
refrigerant pressures and superheat
Aow suction pressure and low superheat are usuall!
indicators of low load or airflow0 in the air
conditioning mode
)his holds true for units using fi:ed metering devices
)he suction pressure will be low and ma! initiall! look like
an undercharge;
Aow suction pressure with low superheat indicates low airflow
Aow suction pressure with high superheat indicates a starved
evaporator coil
Units utili<ing a )P2 metering device ma! also e:hibit
these s!mptoms but in some cases ma! not
)he )P2 is intended to maintain a specific*design
superheat and will often close or restrict flow to the
evaporator when airflow is low; )his is in an effort to
match the flow of refrigerant through the evaporator to
the amount of air*heat moving across the evaporator coil
4a! result in a normal superheat value but low suction
pressure and increased high side pressure and subcooling
$n e:treme cases of poor airflow0 the )P2=s minimum position
ma! still allow more refrigerant through the coil than can be
evaporated b! the available heat*airflow; As is the case with
the fi:ed metering device0 this will result in low suction
pressure and superheat; Additionall!0 the head pressure and
subcooling will be elevated
@@
#hen the suction line pressure drops
and the corresponding saturation
temperature falls below "20 ice or
frost will begin to form on the
evaporator coil and suction line
$ce acts as an insulator0 blocking the
air from transferring heat to the
refrigerant in the coil
Superheat and suction pressure will
be low
4a! be caused b! low indoor airflow
or a starved evaporator
ecause the frost blocks the transfer
of heat from the air to the refrigerant0
the coil must be defrosted before the
problem can be identified as an air
flow or refrigerant issue
@C
$n the heating mode0 indoor airflow will affect
the high side pressure and subcooling
+levated high side pressure and low subcooling
are usuall! indicators of poor indoor airflow in
the heating mode of a heat pump
1igh pressure faults ma! occur as a result of poor
indoor airflow in the heating mode
Subcooling is a measurement of how much heat
has been removed from the refrigerant in the
indoor .condenser/ coil b! the cooler indoor air;
A higher subcool value indicates more heat was
removed from the refrigerant in the indoor
.condenser/ coil
A lower subcool value indicates that less heat was
removed from the refrigerant in the indoor
.condenser/ coil
+levated high side pressure and low subcooling
indicate a lack of indoor airflow
+levated high side pressure and high subcooling
indicate an e:cess of refrigerant in the indoor coil
@D
High T
A high Delta ) or temperature difference across a coil or heat
e:changer is indicative of low indoor airflow;
A high ) does not indicate good s!stem performance0 it indicates a lack of
airflow
1D-22is the general range for AC s!stems
1igher usuall! indicates poor airflow
Aower usuall! indicates starved evaporator or other s!stem performance issue
)he general range for heat pump onl! operation can var! significantl! from
unit to unit;
A broad range might be 15-"F
Using the ) along with the refrigerant pressures0 superheat and subcool
can give the technician a bigger picture of unit performance and whether
problems are related to airflow or the refrigerant circuit
Ias and oil 3urnace design varies ( )he recommended range is alwa!s
printed on the data plate and the ) should fall inside of this range
Average range ma! be "5-C5
A technician ma! adjust blower speed to provide more or less airflow
$ncreasing blower speed J Decrease )
Decreasing blower speed J $ncrease )
@E
Aimit trips on fossil fuel and electric furnaces
are an indication of poor airflow
1igh*primar! limit switches are usuall! the
automatic reset t!pe
Unit will c!cle on limit but ma! not generate a
service call
Au:iliar! limits are often installed in the blower
or inducer housing to provide additional
protection from over heating
Usuall! manual reset
1igh flue temperatures indicate that flue gases are
leaving the heat e:changer at too high of
temperatures and were not able to reject enough
heat through the heat e:changer
+lectric heat packages are also protected b! a
fusible link which will burn open0 should the b!
metal limit fail to open;
An open fusible link can ver! likel! be an indicator
of poor airflow ( check the airflow before replacing
the package or repairing the link
CF
$nabilit! to reach set point
Unit runs 8all the time9
Unit can not keep up on the
hottest*coldest da!s of the !ear
$ncreased utilit! consumption
Ienerall! ever!thing but the airflow is
checked'
6efrigerant charge
Aoad
$nsulation of the home
User habits
A capacit! check often indicates that
the unit is working at0 or close to0 it=s
design capacit!
Unit is adding or removing the amount
of )Us for which it is rated
C34 is below nominal
$f the air in a space is not conditioned
or 8turned over9 at the proper rate0 the
space will not maintain temperature;
C1
Duct #ork 8Oil Canning9 which is
banging or popping noises in the duct
work when the blower starts are a
sure sign of and airflow issue
Duct work will 8pop9 out on the suppl!
or in on the return creating a noise and
indicating high static pressure
#hen duct work is too restrictive0 static
pressure in the duct s!stem increases
Static pressure is the force e:erted on
the duct not due to the pressure from
the moving air
1igh static pressure is a major
contributing factor to low indoor airflow
Objectionable noise or vibrations ma!
also occur when static pressure is too
high on units with variable speed
blowers
C2
Suppl! air velocit! can also be an
indicator of poor airflow
)he blower drive in the air handler or
furnace will influence the velocit! in a
restricted duct s!stem
,SC blower drives will deliver less air
and draw less current0 when static
pressure in the duct s!stem is high; As
a conse7uence0 velocit! out of the
registers will be low
Aow amp draw * reduced electrical
consumption
2ariable Speed blower drives will use
more power and deliver air at a higher
velocit!0 when duct work is restricted
lower motor noise
2elocit! noise
3re7uent blower motor failure
$ncreased amp draw * electrical
consumption
$ncreased pressure drop across duct
components
lower motor ma! cut out or fail
C"
S!mptoms of ,oor Airflow%
So0 to summari<e0 what are some common s!mptoms of poor indoor
airflow%
Aow superheat in cooling .orifice/
1igh subcooling0 high head0 head pressure faults in cooling .)P2/
1igh head pressure0 head pressure faults in heating .1,/
1igh R) .heating or cooling/
1igh limit trips .furnace/
,oor heating * cooling performance
$nabilit! to maintain space temp
1igh energ! bills
1igh flue temperatures
Au: limit trips
,oor velocit! through registers
lower noise
Duct work noise .Oil canning/
1igh static pressure
4a! lead to fre7uent blower motor issues
C&
Causes of ,oor Airflow%
C5
Causes of ,oor Airflow
Dirt! 3ilters
Dirt! filters are probabl! the most
common cause of poor airflow and
some of the most common service
calls
4ost of us have learned to alwa!s
check the filter before an!thing else
#e don=t want or need to spend time
making diagnostic readings to
identif! a dirt! filter
Don=t assume that there is onl! one
filter in the s!stem
Sometimes units are 8double filtered9
( if there is a filter in the return grill0
make sure that one wasn=t left in the
furnace or air handler; $f one was
left0 it can almost be guaranteed that
it hasn=t been changed for some
time;
C@
6estrictive filters
3ilters don=t have to be dirt!
to be restrictive
,leated or high efficienc!
filters ma! be too restrictive0
even when clean
)hese filters are often
installed after the duct
s!stem has been designed
and the unit installed;
)he added static pressure
ma! push the unit out of it=s
)+S, rating and create
airflow issues
Diagnostic readings ma!
include
,ressure drop
)otal e:ternal static
pressure
CC
Dirt! evaporator coils
Dirt! or restricted indoor coils are
often another cause of poor
indoor air flow;
Coils are not alwa!s as eas! to
visuall! inspect as a filter
#hen possible make a visual
inspection with a mirror and
flashlight
$f a visual inspection is not
possible0 a dirt! coil can be
indentified b! diagnostic
s!mptoms
Diagnostic readings ma! include'
,ressure drop
)otal e:ternal static pressure
)
6efrigerant pressures and
superheat
CD
4iswired e7uipment
Although not likel! to be an issue on
e:isting installations0 miswired
e7uipment is a common problem
found during start up or within a short
time of a completed installation
4ulti stage variable speed e7uipment
energi<e their blowers at various
speeds depending on which thermostat
terminals are energi<ed ( make sure
that the terminal energi<ed
corresponds to the blower speed
desired for that mode of operation
Au:aire variable speed e7uipment is
e7uipped with S1 ? S*S2 terminals
S1 J first stage blower operation or
2*" of full airflow
S*S2 J 2
nd
stage blower operation of
1FFG of full airflow
A single stage unit paired with a
variable speed air handler .show right/
or furnace should energi<e the S*S2
terminal with 2&v during a call for
cooling; +nergi<ing the S1 terminal
would result in onl! 2*" of
programmed airflow being delivered
CE
$ncorrect blower speed selection
2ariable speed blowers .premium +C4/
Correct airflow for cooling and heating should be selected
Speed for heating should be selected based on R)
Aow voltage wiring should be correct
+ven though these drives are designed to provide constant
volume0 static pressure should still be checked
,SC and P-1" .standard +C4/ blowers
Speed should be selected and total e:ternal static pressure
checked and compared to blower performance chart to
determine C34
Speed should be adjusted to provide correct C34 at given static
for air conditioning .&FF C34*ton/
Speed should be selected to provide appropriate R) in heating
mode
DF
6estrictive Ductwork
Undersi<ed ductwork
)oo man! fittings
)oo restrictive of fittings
,oor transitions
Choke points
,inched 3le:
Closed * blocked registers
Diagnostic s!mptoms'
1igh )+S,
1igh return or suppl! static indicates which side of the duct s!stem the
problem is on
1igh pressure drops across transitions0 return drops0 fittings
1igh R)
D1
Dirt! ductwork
Different duct materials
provide different amounts of
resistance to airflow .fle:0 duct
board0 internall! insulated0
etc;/ and impose var!ing
amounts of static pressure on
the blower
As duct work becomes dirt!0 it
creates more friction and
begins to become more
restrictive; Static pressure in
the duct s!stem ma! increase
Diagnostic methods ma!
include
2isual inspection of ductwork
Static pressure readings in
main trunks or run outs
1igh total e:ternal static
pressure
D2
#hat are causes of poor airflow%
So0 to summari<e0 some causes of poor airflow
include
Dirt! filters
Dirt! blower wheels
6estrictive filters
Dirt! coils
$ncorrect blower speed selection
$ncorrectl! wired low voltage
6estrictive ductwork
Dirt! ductwork
D"
1ow is Airflow Checked
D&
#e know that static pressure is an eas! and
fairl! reliable method of determining airflow;
Aimitations to using static pressure as a
method for determining airflow'
lower performance charts must be available
Onl! gives total airflow though the furnace or air
handler
Does not give airflow through specific sections of duct
work
Does not indicate velocit! of air through s!stem
D5
#hen static pressure is not an option0 additional
methods of determining airflow ma! be used;
)he method used might depend on
Airflow values needed
)otal airflow0 balancing0 velocit!0 etc;
,reference of technician
4ethods most familiar * comfortable with * trust the most
+7uipment available
$nstruments at the technicians disposal
6esources available
D@
1ow is Airflow Checked
)otal s!stem airflow
4easuring performance
Assuring accurate charging
alancing airflow * 6un outs * ranch ducts
Occupant comfort
2elocit!
Occupant comfort
Noise
Component performance
DC
2elocit! ,ressure
,reviousl! we covered the three duct pressures and
how to use static pressure and the blower
performance chart to determine airflow; Now lets
look at how velocit! pressure can be used to
determine airflow
2elocit! ,ressure J )otal ,ressure ( Static ,ressure
2elocit! pressure then needs to be converted to flow
velocit! or feet per minute .3,4/ of airflow
3,4 J &FF5 : 2elocit! ,ressure
DD
2elocit! ,ressure
3,4 J &FF5 : 2elocit! ,ressure
+: ( velocit! pressure J F;C5
3,4 J &FF5 : F;C5
3,4 J &FF5 : F;D@@
3,4 J "&5D
So0 velocit! pressure can be used to
determine flow velocit! .3,4/
DE
Don=t like math%
Dw!er also makes an
airflow meter
Differential st!le
gauge
)wo ports read total
pressure and static
pressure
Static and total
pressure tips or a
pitot probe are
re7uired
Automaticall! converts
velocit! pressure to
3,4
EF
2elocit! pressure is not the onl! method of
determining 3,4
Anemometers are instruments which read 3,4
directl!
)here are two basic t!pes of anemometers
commonl! used in the 12AC field
1ot wire
6otating vane
E1
6otating 2ane Anemometers
.2elometers/
6eads 3,4
Come in a variet! of si<es (
generall! limited in terms of duct
access
Attached and remote heads
Newer 8mini vane9 allow for greater
access to trunk lines0 return drops
and plenums
4ust be positioned parallel with
airstream
Usuall! low cost
E2
1ot #ire Anemometers
6ead 3,4
Small probe allows for fairl!
eas! access to most parts of
the duct s!stem
4ust be positioned so that air
flows through e!elet in probe
4ore e:pensive then vane
t!pe anemometers
E"
Anemometers and 2elocit! pressure are both
good methods of determining 3,4*C34
,rovide fairl! eas! access to most parts of the
s!stem
)runks0 branch run outs0 etc can all be checked individuall!
$f used correctl!0 the method provides ver! real and
accurate airflow data
Iives velocit! .3,4/ as well as C34
E&
Duct )raversal
#hether the technician is using
velocit! pressure or an Anemometer
to determine 3,40 a method known
as duct traversal must be used
Duct traversal is the process of taking
multiple measurements across a
section of ductwork and then
averaging those measurements
together
Air is not moving through all sections
of the ductwork at the same velocit!
( static pressure and turbulence
create conditions where airflow is not
uniform across a section of duct; 3or
this reason0 a traverse reading must
be taken
An average is found b! adding all of
the readings together and then
dividing that number b! the number
of readings taken
+:; 6eadings' 1FF0 DC0 E50 1F50 E2
1FF L DC L E5 L 1F5 L E2 J &CE
&CE * 5 J E5;D
E5
2elocit! .3,4/ is not airflow .C34/
2elocit! can be used to
Determine C34
Convert 3,4 to C34
alance duct s!stems
2elocit! can be used as an indirect method of balancing airflow out of
registers0 b! comparing velocities out of like si<e runs*registers
4ake assessments of duct designs*s!stems
Components like filters and coils are designed to have a specific
velocit! across them
6egisters and grills should have specific velocities across them
to ensure air is 8thrown9 from the registers correctl! and to
minimi<e noise
)runks and run outs should be designed to have specific velocities
E@
6ecommended velocities for residential duct
s!stems ( rigid metal
Suppl!
Suppl! trunks ( CFF .EFF ma:/
ranch ducts ( @FF .EFF ma:/
6egisters ( Si<e for throw
6eturn
6eturn trunks ( @FF .CFF ma:/
ranch runs ( &FF .CFF ma:/
6eturn grill ( 5FF ma:
3ilter grill ( "FF ma:
EC
3,4 to C34
3,4 can be converted to C34 to determine airflow
C34 J 3,4 : Duct Cross Sectional Area
)he method for determining duct cross sectional
area differs for rectangular vs round duct
6ound
AJ r
6ectangular
AJ x y
ED
6ound Duct
AJ r
A = Cross sectional Area
= 3.14
r = Radius of duct in feet (radius = diameter)
Example: 18 Round duct
Diameter is 18
There are 12 per foot
Diameter in = 18 / 12 = 1.5
Radius = 1.5 / 2 = 0.75
A = 0.75
A = 0.5625
A = 3.14 0.5625
A = 1.77sqft
1.77sqft 700fpm = 1239cfm
EE
6ound Duct
AJ r
= 3.14
r = Radius of duct in feet (radius = diameter)
Example: 6 Round duct
Diameter is 6
There are 12 per foot
Diameter in = 6 / 12 = 0.5
Radius = 0.5 / 2 = 0.25
A = 0.25
A = 0.0625
A = 3.14 0.0625
A = 0.196sqft
1FF
6ectangular Duct
AJ x y
x = Duct height in feet
y = Duct width in feet
Example: 10 x 24 duct
Convert both dimensions from inches () to feet ()
There are 12 in a foot
x = 10 / 12 = 0.833
y = 24 / 12 = 2
A = 0.833 x 2
A = 1.666sqft
1.666sqft 700fpm = 1166cfm
1F1
6ectangular Duct
AJ x y
x = Duct height in feet
y = Duct width in feet
Example: 12 x 30 duct
Convert both dimensions from inches () to feet ()
There are 12 in a foot
x = 12 / 12 = 1
y = 30 / 12 = 2.5
A = 1 x 2.5
A = 2.5sqft
1F2
Don=t like math%
4odern
anemometers and
velometers can do it
for !ou
Average duct
traversals
Allow technicians to
input duct
dimensions and
determine C34
)he 3ield,iece S)A2 allows for
automatic averaging and duct
dimension input and displa!s C34
directl!
1F"
Airflow 1oods
Airflow hoods are simpl!
anemometers .often hotwire
or differential pressure/
which force air through a
predetermined si<ed
opening;
Used for balancing and
measuring airflow at
registers or grills
,rogrammed to do math
based on the predetermined
si<e of the opening
Displa!s 3,4 and C34
directl!
Ienerall! e:pensive
1F&
1eat 6ise 4ethod
)he heat rise method is a simple and
reliable wa! to determine total s!stem
airflow through a electric or fossil fuel
furnace
2iable method when blower performance
data is not available
Can onl! be used for total airflow through
the furnace or air handler
1F5
1eat 6ise 4ethod
CFM = BTU output / RT T 1.08
CFM = total airflow through cabinet
BTU output = BTU output of electric or fossil fuel furnace
RT = supply air temp return air temp
A consideration that must be made is that the heat rise
method of determining airflow is performed in the heating
mode
commonl! airflow for the cooling or heat pump mode of
operation0 not the heating mode0 is the value that is desired
#hen using the heat rise method to determine airflow for a
mode of operation other than heat0 the technician must ensure
that the blower is energi<ed and running at the speed that
would otherwise be operating during the mode of operation for
which he or she is attempting to determine airflow
1F@
+:ample' $f the heat rise
method were being used
with the furnace depicted
in the diagram0 to
determine airflow for the
cooling mode of
operation0 the black wire0
attached to the 1$ COOA
terminal on the board
would need to be moved
to the 1+A) terminal of
the board and the blue
wire removed
)his would ensure that
the same blower speed
that is used for cooling
would be energi<ed for
the test
)he wires should be
returned to their original
positions after the
measurements are made
1FC
$n this e:ample of an
air handler with P-1"
blower0 the P-1"S,D
terminal is energi<ed
during electric heat
operation and the P-
1"I terminal is
energi<ed during
cooling operation;
$n this e:ample0 the
leads could be
switched at either
the motor or the
board
1FD
1eat 6ise 4ethod
Once the correct blower speed is ensured0 the furnace should be run for a
minimum of 1F minutes
)he R) should be measured
$deall! the same thermometer is used in both the suppl! and return
)he suppl! air temperature measurement should be taken out of direct line of sight
of the heat e:changer or electric coils
#hen measuring the R) of an electric heat package0 ensure that onl! the heat
package is running and that the heat pump is NO) energi<ed
)he )U output should be determined
3ossil fuel furnaces generall! have the )U output printed on the name plate
$f the )U input is printed instead of the output0 multipl! the input b! the G efficienc! of
the furnace
+:' 1FF0FFF)U input0 ECG efficient ( 1FF0FFF : F;EC J EC0FFFbtus
An electric heat packages )U output is determined b! measuring the volts and
amperage to the heat package
+nsure that ONAS the heat package is running; )he heat pump should be off
4easure the voltage present at the heat package
4easure the amps being drawn b! the heat package
4ake sure not to include the blower motor0 transformer or an! additional loads
2olts : Amps J #atts
";&1" )Us*#att or "0&1")Us*M#
#atts : ";&1" J )U output or M# : "0&1"
1FE
$n the diagram to the right
2oltage should be taken
at the load side of the
breaker
Amperage should be
measured on each of the
orange wires serving the
heat package
$f amperage were
checked on the line side
of the breaker0 the
blower motor and
transformer amp draw
would be included in
the reading and a false
reading would result
$f amperage were taken
on the !ellow wires0 the
blower motor amperage
would be included and a
false reading would
result
11F
3ossil 3uel
+lectric 1eat
Rise Temp. 1.08
3.413 Amps Volts
CFM

=
Rise Temp. 1.08
(Output) s BTU'
CFM
=
111
+lectric 1eat +:ample'
4easured volts J 22C
4easured amps J &2
R) J 2"U
22C T &2 J E05"& #atts or E;5"5 M#
E05"& T ";&1" or E;5"& T "0&1" J "205"E )Us
C34 J "205"E * 1;FD T 2"
1;FD T 2" J 2&;D&
"205"E * 2&;D& J 10"1F C34
Rise Temp. 1.08
3.413 Amps Volts
CFM

=
112
3ossil 3uel +:ample'
Name plate )U output J CC0@FF )Us
Or Name plate )U input J DF0FFF )Us
3urnace efficienc! J ECG
DF0FFF T F;EC J CC0@FF
R) J &CU
C34 J CC0@FF * 1;FD T &C
1;FD T &C J 5F;C@
CC0@FF * 5F;C@ J 1052E C34
Rise Temp. 1.08
(Output) s BTU'
CFM
=
11"
1ow is airflow checked%
So0 to summari<e0 airflow can be checked using the following
methods
2elometer .rotating vane anemometer/
)otal airflow
)runk*run out airflow
alancing
1ot wire anemometer
)otal airflow
)runk*run out airflow
alancing
Static ,ressure
)otal airflow
,ressure drop
)otal airflow
Airflow hoods
alancing * register airflow
1eat 6ise 4ethod
)otal airflow
11&
Capacit! Checks
Once total airflow is known the technician can
Determine the capacit! of a heat pump
Heat Output = CFM T RT T 1.08
Determine the capacit! of an air conditioner
Total Heat = CFM T RH T 4.5
C34 ( )otal airflow through unit ( can be determined b! using an! of the
methods discussed previousl!
Static pressure
,ressure drop
1eat rise method .blower should be set to cooling*heat pump speed/
3,4 to C34
C34 indicator light .variable speed/
R) ( Difference in sensible heat .from return to suppl!/
R1 ( Difference in total heat content .from return to suppl!/
Capacit! ( )Us*hr
115
Capacit! Checks
Determining the heat output .capacit!/ of a
heat pump s!stem
1eat output J C34 T R) T 1;FD
R) is measured after the heat pump has been
running for 15 minutes;
Sensible heat onl!
+nsure that onl! the heat pump .no electric heat/ is
running
+:ample' 1215 C34 T 2CU T 1;FD J "50&2E )Us
11@
Capacit! Checks
)he delivered capacit! .)Us/ can then be compared to the rated capacit! of
the heat pump0 to determine whether the heat pump it working at it=s design
capacit!
A heat pump=s rated capacit! goes down0 as the outdoor temperature drops;
4ost heat pumps have capacit! ratings at 2 outside temperatures
4ost heat pumps deliver their nominal .name plate rating/ capacit! at outdoor temperatures
above &CU
11C
Capacit! Checks
3or temperatures below &CU0 a balance point
chart can be used to determine rated capacit!;
11D
Capacit! Checks
So0 once airflow is know0 capacit! can be
checked;
Airflow is usuall! a factor in underperforming heat
pumps
$f airflow is oka!0 then rated capacit! can be
determined and compared to delivered capacit!
$f delivered capacit! less than rated capacit! the
An undercharge ma! be present
Coils ma! be dirt!
,roblems with refrigeration components ma! be present
11E
Capacit! Checks
Determining the cooling capacit! of an air conditioner
Capacit! J C34 T R1 T &;5
R1 is the difference in the total heat content of the air between
the return and suppl!
)otal heat content .enthalp!/ is the sum of both the latent and
sensible heat;
determined b! taking a dr! bulb and wet bulb temperature reading
.D onl! necessar! for determining 61G/
Air conditioning removes sensible heat .temperature*cooling/ and
latent heat .moisture*dehumidification/
)aking return air readings as close to the unit as possible can help
the technician to identif! duct leakage
Discrepancies between return air temp and space temp indicate
either duct leakage or heat infiltration .poor insulation/
12F
Capacit! Checks
Once wet bulb and dr! bulb
temperatures have been measured0
enthalp! can be determined
,s!chrometric calculator
Air Aite ( ,s!chrometric calculator
.Android*$,hone/
,s!chrometric chart
121
+:ample'
6eturn Air J C5D*@5#
6eturn Air +nthalp! J "F
Suppl! Air J 5CD*55#
Suppl! Air +nthalp! J 2";5
122
Capacit! Check
Capacit! J C34 T R1 T &;5
C34 J 1215
R1 J "F ( 2";5 J @;5)Us*lb
1215 T @;5 T &;5 J "505"E)Us*hr
So0 once airflow is know0 capacit! can be checked;
Airflow is usuall! a factor in underperforming air conditioners
$f airflow is oka!0 then rated capacit! can be determined and
compared to delivered capacit!
$f delivered capacit! less than rated capacit! the
An undercharge ma! be present
Coils ma! be dirt!
,roblems with refrigeration components ma! be present
12"
Strategies for 6estrictive Duct
S!stems
12&
Strategies
Cleaning of dirt!
blower wheels0
coils and duct
work are obvious
methods of
improving airflow
and s!stem
performance
125
Strategies
1igh static pressure is usuall! an issue
in restrictive duct s!stems and a cause
of poor airflow
Aack of performance
Duct work oil canning
lower motor failures
2elocit! noise
12@
Strategies
#hen total e:ternal static pressure is
high
Attempt to determine which side of the
s!stem .return or suppl!/ is
contributing
Check individual static pressure
readings in both the return and suppl!
Check for pressure drops across
restrictive fittings0 coils0 filters0 etc
Correct obvious duct flaws such as
e:cessivel! long or pinched fle: runs
Aook for 8pinch points9 or areas where
ducts do not align correctl! or reduce
unnecessaril!
Check static pressure in duct trunks
and run outs to identif! unseen
restrictions
Aoose insulation
Dirt! ductwork
Check balancing damper positions
12C
Strategies
#hen total e:ternal static pressure is high
Check duct si<ing
#as a larger s!stem installed in place of a smaller s!stem%
Suggest additional suppl! or return runs to relieve static pressure
$ncrease si<e of e:isting suppl! or return runs to relieve static pressure
Suggest duct modifications or replace fittings at 8pinch points9 to reduce static pressure
6eturn drops
1eat pump return bo:es
3urnace cut outs
,oor filter transitions
Add turning vanes
6eplace fittings that have mitered corners with fittings that have rounded corners .inside corner is most important/
Suggest less restrictive filters
12D
Strategies
12E
Additional 6esources
ACCA 4anual D
www;acca;org
National Comfort $nstitute .NC$/
www;nationalcomfortinstitute;com
1"F

Air Flow For Technicians

Încărcat de

Informații document

Titlu original

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Air Flow For Technicians

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

1

Air Side Diagnostics

S-ar putea să vă placă și