Technical Tips

Acknowledging shade is a big part of doing a load calculation. Sometimes it’s done correctly and sometimes it’s done incorrectly. The more accurate we are with our inputs the more predictable our results will be. There are hard and fast rules that should be followed in Manual J. Some of the more important ones are discussed in this article.

Did NOAA get it right? Last October, ACCA’s Wes Davis reported that NOAA said there was a high probability for most of the country to be warmer, while the Pacific Northwest would be colder. Where he lives, it’s been cold. How about you? It’s early in the year but, did NOAA get it right?

The furnace season is upon us, and technicians across the country are busy keeping clients’ heating systems running smoothly and safely. This two-part article will discuss items you should be checking on furnaces to help reduce liability on combustion and venting.

Do you look forward to checking a heat pump’s performance in the winter? Do you have a routine that you rely on? We are going to walk you through a process that gives a good indication of whether the system is doing what it is supposed to be doing, or not. The best part is you don’t have to buy any special tools and the process is easy, it just requires some simple math.

Those who have been in the HVAC business for an extended period know systems with thermocouples and standing pilots are becoming a thing of the past. However, many appliances in the field still utilize a standing pilot, and a good service technician should know how to diagnose thermocouple issues correctly.

Typically, a home energy rater will conduct duct leakage tests and leakage tests on the home’s building envelope in accordance with energy codes. ACCA has proposed adding a code exception to conduct an airflow balancing procedure instead, thus giving contractors an opportunity to provide a more valuable service. 

It is vital for service technicians to have a solid understanding of how a heat pump works. One critical component of a heat pump system is the defrost control board. This blog article by ACCA’s Matt Akins will take you through the essential operation of a defrost control board and some basic troubleshooting.

Discover a simple process that produces a quality temperature measurement for an AC system and takes just a little more time than measuring a sensible-only temperature split.

Find out how clean and dirty HVAC condenser coils impact heat transfer.

See the weather forecast for the next three months and find out how what HVAC business owners should do to properly prepare.