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HVAC Repair Atlanta

Posted by Admin under HVAC Repair Atlanta
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Hello! Welcome to HVAC Repair Atlanta.

Yes, I realize that is an odd name for a website, but their is a reason for choosing this particular combination of words.

You see, when a homeowner in Atlanta needs HVAC service or repair work done, be it an air conditioner or heat pump repair, there is a pretty good chance that you will log on to your computer and type in: HVAC Repair Atlanta… or maybe Atlanta air conditioner repair in order to find a company to handle your needs.

And, I wanted you to find my website because unlike other sites that may pop up, I do not own my own HVAC repair and installation company.

I’m actually an impartial consumer who was once in your shoes and wanted to create this site to inform you about HVAC repairs and to help protect you from untrustworthy contractors.

It was kind of my civic duty to do so!

Now, I am not going to bash any HVAC repair service outfits out there but I will give homeowners an overview on how their HVAC system works and give you enough knowledge to confidently make an informed decision should you need to interview technicians and get the pros in Atlanta to tackle the  job.

So, if you have a heating system that is not working or the indoor air quality is not up to par, or anything in between, this site is for you.

Before I got started in this epic quest to find a qualified HVAC company for heating repairs, I didn’t know a heat pump from my elbow.  I barely knew about filters or any sort of maintenance that needed to be done or even repair parts that may be needed…, maybe you don’t either?  Did you know that some HVAC service companies actually have qualified plumbers on staff to help with water heaters or a water heater system… I sure didn’t!  Also, refrigeration is sometimes added to the field’s abbreviation as HVAC&R or HVACR… who knew?!

No worries!  I will cover these topics at HVAC Repair Atlanta.  

Most importantly though, this site will help you hire an Atlanta HVAC repair company that is honest and professional.  The last thing you need is to have some fly by night “handyman” messing around with your HVAC system and put you and your family in danger.

Also, the prices HVAC service experts charge for various repair work is all over the board.  You can get ripped off very easily when hiring out HVAC work because most homeowners have no idea how much these repairs should cost… it is just not something we deal with very often.

And one word of warning.  You cannot rely solely on an organization like the Better Business Bureau to vouch for a company. Most people are not aware of this, but the Better Business Bureau is not any type of official governing body like their name implies and they are actually paid by the businesses they represent!   It is also important that you know that an HVAC service company should belong to a governing body like the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) or PHCC (Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association).  Also, a contractor should have a license in the state where they work.

Is the owner of the company a HVAC specialist or just a person with a journeyman’s card who has run out of companies to get fired from and started his own business? If so, I doubt he/she has insurance and should something bad happen to your home you’d like to know if he/she is going to pay for it.

Hopefully after spending a few minutes at my site, HVAC Repair Atlanta, you will be able to make an informed decision on who to hire for the job!

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Hire The Right HVAC Technician

Posted by Admin under Heating, HVAC Repair Atlanta
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When it comes to the cost of repairs it can get pretty expensive. In hiring the right HVAC technician for the job, you need to know what to look for so that you don’t end up with more of a problem than you started with.

Doing it right involves making sure that the provider is licensed or certified by the state in which you live. They should be able to provide proof of this to you and give you their license or certification number so that you can check with the regulating bodies to validate that they are current and in good standing. Many will include their license number in their ads or on business cards for your convenience.

A bond is insurance that service providers take out to ensure the customer is protected in the event of faulty repairs or if their service causes damage in any way. Make certain the provider you select is bonded and this will ensure your financial protection in case anything goes wrong while they are working in your home. You will be provided with compensation if it does.

Make sure that you check whether or not the service provider belongs to any trade associations. This is a good indication they take their work seriously and will provide you with quality service. Their membership is also a good sign they are keeping current with new methods and technologies and you can be sure you are getting updated repair service and equipment.

Criminal background checks are important for any field these days because many employers want to make sure that they are hiring quality workers. Your service company should tell you whether or not criminal background checks are performed on their employees before they hire them. This will allow you to feel a little more comfortable with letting them into your home to perform work for you.

You should be aware of whether or not the company supports a drug and alcohol free work environment and their service providers are regularly checked for drug and alcohol use. This is important in order to comply with recent laws.

All of these factors in selecting a good company and service provider are important to make sure that you receive quality service. It can also save you money in the long term because you will be ensured that the repairs are done right the first time. If you do not check into the company or the provider you may be left to foot the bill with even more costly repairs due to faulty service.

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Types of Electronic Furnace Ignition

Posted by Admin under Heating
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Electronic Furnace Ignition Systems
In the world of mid to high efficiency furnaces of 80% to 90% and higher, you’ll find electronic ignition systems and not the standing gas pilot light of old. Electronic ignitions systems are typically designed one of two ways, as either a furnace intermittent pilot (IP) or as a hot surface igniter (HSI). Let’s take a quick overview of these two electronic ignition systems.

Furnace Intermittent Pilot

Intermittent Gas Furnace Pilot Intermittent Pilot Components

This ignition system is most commonly found on induced draft furnaces. The pilot ignites with a high voltage spark only when the thermostat calls for heat. Once the intermittent pilot (IP) is lit and the main burner senses the pilot flame (flame sensing rod), the main burner will ignite.

Hot Surface Ignition

Hot Surface IgniterHot Surface Igniter

Today the most commonly used electronic ignition system is the hot surface igniter (HSI). Why? Because they are fairly reliable and inexpensive. The electronic controls they require are also less expensive. All the HSI requires is a flame sensor to detect the igniter glow and open the main burner valve.

The hot surface igniter works like a light bulb filament, except here, we want the heat from the element, not the light. The hot surface igniter is usually made from a material like silicon carbide or nitride and as electricity passes through the igniter, it will glow red hot.

Under normal conditions the igniter should last for 3-5 years. However, it will eventually crack and need to be replaced, quicker if the oils from your skin get on the element by improper handling.

These hot surface igniters are between $25 to $50 depending upon the model of furnace you have. It is strongly recommend you keep a spare on hand. Just like a light bulb, the filament does not last forever and these igniters fail. As Murphy’s Law will have it, the igniter will fail when it is at night or on a weekend and you can’t easily get a spare.

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Types of Air Conditioners

Posted by Admin under Air Conditioining
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Window and through-wall units

Room air conditioners come in two forms: unitary and packaged terminal PTAC systems. Unitary systems, the common one room air conditioners, sit in a window or wall opening, with interior controls. Interior air is cooled as a fan blows it over the evaporator. On the exterior the air is heated as a second fan blows it over the condenser. In this process, heat is drawn from the room and discharged to the environment. A large house or building may have several such units, permitting each room be cooled separately. PTAC systems are also known as wall split air conditioning systems or ductless systems.

PTAC systems may be adapted to provide heating in cold weather, either directly by using an electric strip, gas or other heater, or by reversing the refrigerant flow to heat the interior and draw heat from the exterior air, converting the air conditioner into a heat pump. While room air conditioning provides maximum flexibility, when cooling many rooms it is generally more expensive than central air conditioning.

Portable air conditioners

Portable air conditioners are movable units that can be used to cool a specific region of building in a modular fashion, not requiring permanent installation. Most portable air conditioners are refrigeration based rather than evaporative, and it is this type that is described in this section. Portable air conditioner units are often rented in emergency situations such as power failures at warehouses or data centers.

All refrigerated type portable air conditioners require exhaust hoses for venting. Through this process of air intake, cooling and venting, air is continually cycled through the unit until the room reaches the desired temperature setting. Also, the refrigerant works to not only cool the air but also dehumidify air in the room, owing to the temperature decrease in the air which results in the saturation of the water content of the air, causing condensation when the air is returned to the room. The air will therefore be left without this ional water content.[12] The water loss rate is sufficiently high to require collection or drainage. The exact conditions for the condensation of the water from the air can be estimated using a Psychrometric chart for air at room pressure.

Single hosed units

A single hosed unit has one hose that runs from the back of the portable air conditioner to the vent kit where hot air can be released. A typical single hosed portable air conditioner can cool a room that is 475 sq ft (44.1 m2) or smaller and has at most a cooling power of 12,000 BTUs. However, single hosed units cool a room less effectively than dual hosed as the air expelled from the room through the single hose creates negative pressure inside the room. Because of this, air (potentially warm air) from neighboring rooms is pulled into the room with the cooling unit to compensate.[13]

Dual hosed units

Dual hosed units are typically used in larger rooms. One hose is used as the exhaust hose to vent hot air and the other as the intake hose to draw in additional air (usually from the outside). These units generally have a cooler power ,000-14,000 BTUs and cool rooms that are around 500 sq ft (46 m2). The reason an intake hose is needed to draw in extra air is because with higher BTU units, air is cycled in large amounts and hot air is expelled at a faster rate. This would create negative air pressure in the room, so the intake hose eliminates reduction of room air pressure which would draw outside air into the room.[clarification needed]

Split units

Portable units are also available in split configuration, with the compressor and evaporator located in a separate external package and the two units connected via two detachable refrigerant pipes, as is the case with fixed split systems. Split portable units are superior to both single and dual hosed mono-portable units in that interior noise and size of the internal unit is greatly reduced due to the external location of the compressor, and no water needs to be drained from the internal unit due to the exterior location of the evaporator.

A drawback of split portable units compared with mono-portables is that a surface exterior to the building, such as a balcony must be provided for the external compressor unit to be located.

Unlike window ACs the split AC does not have an option of exchange of indoor and outdoor air.

Heat and cool units

Some portable air conditioner units are also able to provide heat by reversing the cooling process so that cool air is collected from a room and warm air is released. These units are not meant to replace actual heaters though and should not be used to cool rooms lower than 50 °F (10 °C).

Central air conditioning

Central air conditioning, commonly referred to as central air (U.S.) or air-con (UK), is an air conditioning system that uses ducts to distribute cooled and/or dehumidified air to more than one room, or uses pipes to distribute chilled water to heat exchangers in more than one room, and which is not plugged into a standard electrical outlet.

With a typical split system, the condenser and compressor are located in an outdoor unit; the evaporator is mounted in the air handler unit. With a package system, all components are located in a single outdoor unit that may be located on the ground or roof.

Central air conditioning performs like a regular air conditioner but has several added benefits:

  • When the air handling unit turns on, room air is drawn in from various parts of the building through return-air ducts. This air is pulled through a filter where airborne particles such as dust and lint are removed. Sophisticated filters may remove microscopic pollutants as well. The filtered air is routed to air supply ductwork that carries it back to rooms. Whenever the air conditioner is running, this cycle repeats continually.
  • Because the condenser unit (with its fan and the compressor) is located outside the home, it offers a lower level of indoor noise than a free-standing air conditioning unit.

Article source:  Types of Air conditioners

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Heat Pumps

Posted by Admin under Heating
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A heat pump is a machine or device that moves heat from one location (the ‘source’) at a higher temperature to another location (the ‘sink’ or ‘heat sink’) at a lower temperature using mechanical work or a high-temperature heat source.  The difference between a heat pump and a normal air conditioner is that a heat pump can be used to provide heating or cooling. Even though the heat pump can heat, it still uses the same basic refrigeration cycle to do this. In other words a heat pump can change which coil is the condenser and which the evaporator. This is normally achieved by a reversing valve. In cooler climates it is common to have heat pumps that are designed only to provide heating.

Heat pumps have the ability to move heat energy from one environment to another, and in either direction. This allows the heat pump to both bring heat into an occupied space, and take it out. In the cooling mode a heat pump works the same as an ordinary air conditioner (A/C). It uses an evaporator to absorb heat from inside an occupied space and rejects this heat to the outside through the condenser. The refrigerant flows outside of the space to be conditioned, where the condenser and compressor are located, while the evaporator is inside. The key component that makes a heat pump different from an A/C is the reversing valve. The reversing valve allows for the flow direction of the refrigerant to be changed. This allows the heat to be pumped in either direction.

  • In heating mode the outdoor coil becomes the evaporator, while the indoor becomes the condenser which absorbs the heat from the refrigerant and dissipates to the air flowing through it. The air outside even at 0 °C has heat energy in it. With the refrigerant flowing in the opposite direction the evaporator (outdoor coil) is absorbing the heat from the air and moving it inside. Once it picks up heat it is compressed and then sent to the condenser (indoor coil). The indoor coil then rejects the heat into the air handler, which moves the heated air through out the house.
  • In cooling mode the outdoor coil is now the condenser. This makes the indoor coil now the evaporator. The indoor coil is now the evaporator in the sense that it is going to be used to absorb the heat from inside the enclosed space. The evaporator absorbs the heat from the inside, and takes it to the condenser where it is rejected into the outside air.

The two main types of heat pumps are compression heat pumps and absorption heat pumps. Compression heat pumps always operate on mechanical energy (through electricity), while absorption heat pumps may also run on heat as an energy source (through electricity or burnable fuels). An absorption heat pump may be fueled by natural gas or LP gas, for example.

Most commonly, heat pumps draw heat from the air (outside or inside air) or from the ground (groundwater or soil).[7] The heat drawn from the ground is in most cases stored solar heat.  Air source heat pumps are relatively easy (and inexpensive) to install and have therefore historically been the most widely used heat pump type. However, they suffer limitations due to their use of the outside air as a heat source or sink.   Ground source heat pumps, which are also referred to as Geothermal heat pumps, typically have higher efficiencies than air-source heat pumps. This is because they draw heat from the ground or groundwater which is at a relatively constant temperature all year round below a depth of about eight feet (2.5 m). This means that the temperature differential is lower, leading to higher efficiency.

Article source:  Heat Pumps, a Wikipedia excerpt

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Air Conditioner Explained

Posted by Admin under Air Conditioining
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An air conditioner (often referred to as AC) is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle. In construction, a complete system of heating, ventilation and air conditioning is referred to as “HVAC”. Its purpose, in a building or an automobile, is to provide comfort during either hot or cold weather.

Refrigeration cycle

A simple stylized diagram of the refrigeration cycle: 1) condensing coil, 2) expansion valve, 3) evaporator coil, 4) compressor.

In the refrigeration cycle, a heat pump transfers heat from a lower-temperature heat source into a higher-temperature heat sink. Heat would naturally flow in the opposite direction. This is the most common type of air conditioning. A refrigerator works in much the same way, as it pumps the heat out of the interior and into the room in which it stands.

Humidity

Air conditioning equipment usually reduces the humidity of the air processed by the system. The relatively cold (below the dew point) evaporator coil condenses water vapor from the processed air, much as a cold drink will condense water on the outside of a glass. The water is drained, removing water vapor from the cooled space and thereby lowering its relative humidity.  The comfort air conditioner is designed to create a 40% to 60% relative humidity in the occupied space.

Some air conditioning units dry the air without cooling it. These work like a normal air conditioner, except that a heat exchanger is placed between the intake and exhaust. In combination with convection fans, they achieve a similar level of comfort as an air cooler in humid tropical climates, but only consume about one-third the energy. They are also preferred by those who find the draft created by air coolers uncomfortable.

Refrigeration

“Freon” is a trade name for a family of refrigerants manufactured by DuPont and other companies. These refrigerants were commonly used due to their superior stability and safety properties. However, these chlorine-bearing refrigerants reach the upper atmosphere when they escape.  Once the refrigerant reaches the stratosphere, UV radiation from the sun creates a chlorine atom.  These chlorine atoms cause the breakdown of the ozone leading to depletion of the ozone layer that shields the Earth’s surface from strong UV radiation.  In light of these environmental concerns, beginning on November 14, 1994, the Environmental Protection Agency has restricted the sale, possession and use of refrigerant to only licensed technicians, per Rules 608 and 609 of the EPA rules and regulations.

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Air Conditioning / Air Conditioner Buying Guide

Posted by Admin under Air Conditioining
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We have all now come to expect to have air conditioning, particularly in hot and humid climates.  Air conditioners don’t just cool the air, they also dehumidify and filter the air to make it a more comfortable environment.

There are 2 basic types of air conditioners: a central air conditioner and a window- or wall- mounted room air conditioner.  Central air conditioners work from a central area and distributes cool air throughout the house via air ducts.  This done by one of 2 methods: as a forced-air furnace or a heat pump.  The difference between the two is that with a heat pump, the unit can be reversed in winter to heat a house.

In buying an air conditioner, you will have to decide on whether purchase a whole-house air conditioner, one or more room air conditioners, or a heat pump.  Most people choose central air conditioning as it is easier to cool the whole house and is typically more efficient than room types.

There are many different models of whole-house central air conditioners by different manufacturers.  They come in a range of sizes, which may lead you to ask: How big should it be?  Of course, you want a central air conditioner to be large enough to cool your home, however there is no need to spend more than necessary.   Also, purchasing too big equipment will make it operate inefficiently.

Running an air conditioner can be quite costly so it is important to purchase one with efficiency in mind, or rather, an air conditioner’s ability to convert energy (electricity) to cooling in the most cost-effective way.

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HVAC Repair Atlanta: How to find a qualified HVAC contractor.

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When searching for a qualified contractor in Atlanta, you should do your due diligence.

As a homeowner, you are responsible for making sure that the HVAC system in your house is sound and up-to-date. Faulty parts and not properly maintained systems can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars a year being wasted on inefficient systems.  That should give you more than enough reason to make sure that when you need an HVAC problem fixed, you hire an experienced and qualified contractor. Older units or poorly repaired units can cause many a cold night or sweltering day if it is not working correctly. But how do you make sure that you get a qualified HVAC service company to work in your home? If you know what to look for, it is not all that hard.

Licensing

One of the basic ways to assess the professionalism of a technician is check to see if he has a state license. Technicians should hold a Conditioned Air license in the state of Georgia.  Conditioned air contractors have to pass a rigorous standardized exam and must provide proof of having been working as an HVAC technician for at least three years. A state license may be restricted or unrestricted.  Restricted licenses mean the contractor is only able to work on systems with up to 175,000 BTU of heating and 60,000 BTU of cooling.  An unrestricted licensee may work on any size HVAC system.   Check the Georgia Board of Construction Industry to determine if someone does, in fact, have a valid state license.

Trade Associations

A contractor or company who is serious about working in the industry will more than likely have joined accredited trade organizations.

Bonded

We’ve all heard of contractors saying they’re “bonded and insured”.  Well if you’re like I was, I had no idea as to what bonded really meant.  So,  what does it mean to be bonded?

Being bonded means that a bonding company has secured money that is available to the consumer in the event they file a claim against the company for failure to meet an obligation. The secured money is in the control of the state, a bond, and not under the control of the company. Let’s say that you hire an HVAC company to install and air conditioner and they do not complete the job. Well, you would file a claim against the company and, after an investigation, would be paid out by this bond.

This is slightly different but similar to what it means for an employee to be bonded. Being bonded in that case means that a bonding company has investigated an employee’s background and finds that he/she trustworthy and “good” enough to insure. In general, this is generally done when an employee has to handle large amounts of money or handle valuable property like jewelry or art. There is a very extensive and deep background check involved and what the employer gets is insurance that the employee won’t steal. If he/she does, then the bonding company pays out the amount of the theft. By being bonded, it shows that the employee is trustworthy enough for a bonding company to insure up to a certain amount.

Insured

“Insured” means that the contractor carries liability coverage for personal injuries and property damage, as well as worker’s compensation insurance. If a contractor damages your HVAC system or even breaks a vase on the way to fix the HVAC unit, for example, the company’s insurance would pay for repair or replacement. Insurance may also pay for theft of an item if you are able to prove that it was taken by an employee. Lastly, if the HVAC technician slips and falls in your home, their injury would be covered by worker’s compensation.

Recommendations

Lastly, another good way to find a good, reliable contractor is to ask others. Other contractors like electricians usually have a list of reliable HVAC technicians that they usually recommend to clients.  Another good place to find the contact info of recommended contractors is by going to Angie’s List to find high quality contractors and service companies that have been thoroughly reviewed and they may even be able to help if a project goes bad.

Last, but not least, check with friends and family for any recommendations for a good contractor.

Other Red Flags

When hiring someone to conduct HVAC work, watch out for these red flags that you may be dealing with a dishonest individual:

* A person going door-to-door selling their services.
* A person who offers services for a short time only, which makes consumers feel rushed and unable to research the contractor.
* Pressure to pay for more than half of the cost up front.
* Refusal or reluctance to set out complete and specific contract terms in writing.
* Lack of permanent and verifiable name, address and phone number of the business.

So remember, when you sit down to interview an HVAC repair company, ask to be shown a copy of state license(s) and proof of being bonded and insured and check that they are current and that he/he has minimum liability coverage of $500,000. Ask to see his/her trade association cards.  And remember to check his references.

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