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As it applies to a stand-alone A/C unit, know what the terms upflow, downflow, and
horizontal refer to (also see Ch 27)
Upflow, downflow, and horizontal flow refer to the direction of the blower. For example, f the blower
is blowing air upwards, it would be upflow.
Understand what a split system is and why they were developed
See the first bullet point in this section. They are good because the loud part is outside, which means it
is quieter inside. The condenser must be outside, so if you don't want the coil to be right next to a wall,
you need a split system.
Know the basic configuration and major components (condenser, fan/evaporator,
refrigerant piping) of a residential split system A/C
Condensers are located outside, where the hot air cools the even hotter vapor refrigerant, which
condenses to a liquid, expelling heat energy out of the building. The now still pretty hot liquid
refrigerant is piped to the expansion device inside, which cools it the fuck down like spraying CO2 out
of a duster, then the evaporator coil absorbs heat energy from inside the building, evaporating the
refrigerant and cooling the room. The refrigerant is piped to the compressor, where is is compressed
and in turn heated, and then it goes back to the condenser to repeat the cycle.
Know how the energy efficiency ratio (EER) is calculated
Energy efficiency ratio, or EER, is the BTU/hr output of the unit divided by the watts required to
operate the unit. Usually systems have an EER of around 8, and 10 would be a very good system.
Chapter 27 Residential Split-System AC Installation:
Be able to identify the major considerations when determining the location of a split
systems outdoor condensing unit
When positing an outdoor condensing unit, try to avoid placing it: in noise sensitive area, in direct
sunlight, under an overhang where water or snow could fall into it, too close to the building or plants.
Know the two types of installations for the indoor section of a split system
Installing the coil is different for a cased and an uncased coil. For the cased coil, it basically just needs
to be set on the furnace, leveled, and attached to a supply air plenum and ductwork. Uncased coils need
to be installed inside the supply air plenum, so the furnace needs to be shut off and a hole needs to be
cut into the supply air plenum near the furnace. Then basically use brackets to support the coil and
patch shit up. Air handlers are complete assemblies with blower and coil, so they just need to be set in
place and attached to duct work.
Know the electrical wiring that is required for the installation of a split system
There are two dedicated line-voltage and two low voltage electrical circuits. One line-voltage goes to
the outdoor condensing unit (208/240 V), and one goes to the furnace or air handler (115 V or 230 V).
There is a low-voltage circuit from the furnace or air handler to the condensing unit and another lowvoltage circuit for the thermostat.
Have an understanding of the type of pipe used for refrigerant lines in a split system and
the significance of the overall length of the line
Soft ACR tubing is typically used, and its diameter depends on BTU capacity and length of the lines.
Pipes can generally run up to 175 ft, but they should be as short as possible. The lines should not run
longer than the specified length from the manufacturer. Long lines require modifications.
Chapter 28 Duct Installation:
Be able to identify the various duct system types illustrated in the text
Common duct systems include radial duct systems, which have many ducts from a central plenum, and
extended plenum systems, which have a large duct with many smaller ducts off of it. Both of these can
be reducing systems, where the duct size is reduced or the duct is split into smaller ducts to save on the
amount of duct used and to keep the pressure more consistent. There are also perimeter loop systems
where the air is blown to a perimeter loop that has multiple outlets. Finally, a central plenum system
uses cavities like basements or space between floors as one giant plenum and holes are cut to make
outlets.
Know which type of duct has the lowest friction rate
Galvanized sheet metal ducts have the lowest friction rate, meaning air can blow through them with the
least resistance. It takes less energy to push the air through them.
Know how flex duct compares to other types of duct materials
Flex ducts come compressed in a box 3 feet long, and when you open it they expand to 25 feet like a
snake in a can gag. They have a spiral metal wire for support, a smooth plastic inner liner, an outer
cover that is a vapor barrier, and fiberglass insulation between the liner and cover. They are popular
because they are inexpensive, easy to install, and quiet. The downsides are the potential for incorrect
installation and the very high friction from the internal metal wire ribs.
Be familiar with the preferred method of sealing joints in galvanized sheet metal ducts
Round sheet metal ducts usually have snap lock seams and crimped ends for easy connections.
Rectangular ducts have either snap lock joints or pittsburgh joints, and to connect two ducts, S locks
and drive cleats are used. All of these joints need to be sealed with mastic and duct tape.
Understand the various methods used to insulate ducts
Sheet metal ducts can be insulated with duct wrap on the outside that is clinch stapled to itself, or they
can be lined with fiberglass liner insulation instead, which is usually easier and quieter, but restricts
airflow. Another newer method is to use bubble wrap insulation, which is applied to the outside of a
duct with a spacer between the duct and bubble wrap. It doesn't irritate skin like fiberglass.
Know how air leakage is tested in a duct system
The most common way to test for air leakage is to seal all duct outlets and use a duct blaster to
pressurize the entire system. Once it is pressured, the duct blaster is adjusted until it is blowing a
certain CFM at which the pressure remains constant. This CFM is the total leakage of the system.
Be familiar with methods for cleaning duct systems
Sheet metal duct cleaning uses a little robot on a string with a camera and a spinning cleaner thing. It
just rolls up and down ducts, spinning its shit around. Flex ducts are more fragile and need to cleaned
with gentle brushed or just replaced. Big truck vacuum cleaners can be hooked up to suck the dirt out
of systems too.
Know how two pieces of round sheet metal duct are joined
One end of a section of round sheet metal duct is crimped to a smaller diameter so the end of the other
duct can slide around it. There is a wider ring at the end of the crimp to stop the ducts from sliding too
far into each other. Air is meant to flow from the normal end to the crimped end so the flow is not
disturbed very much. Seal with mastic and duct tape.
Chapter 29 Gas Furnace Installation:
Know the essential properties of and be able to differentiate between natural gas and LP
gas (propane)
Natural gas is a mixture of methane and ethane. LP gas is liquid petroleum, and includes propane and
butane, which are refined from crude oil. Propane is a lot denser than natural gas.
Understand the purpose of a regulator in a LP gas installation
Pressure regulators are necessary to maintain 11 in wc of pressure at the units. This is the incoming line
pressure used for all LP gas burning appliances, so gas from the tank must be regulated to that pressure.
Know the primary factors used in determining size of gas supply piping
Gas piping size is a function of the pressure, specific gravity of the gas, allowable loss from source to
unit, maximum gas consumption, and piping length.
Be able to compare the installation of an electric furnace with the installation of a gas
furnace
It's way easier. There are no gas pipe lines or ventilation lines. Its just the electrical wiring and the
ductwork and thats it.
Understand the importance of power wiring in the installation of an electric furnace
Use a table to get the wiring size correct. Only use aluminum if the manufacturer allows that.
Incorrectly wiring is dangerous, especially with a high current device like a furnace.
Know how power wiring is sized for an electric furnace installation
Control wiring should be 18 gage copper wire. For the power wiring, use a wire sizing table.
Know the essential connections that are required to install and electric furnace
Put it in place, install the ductwork and wiring. Connect the different colored wires to the designated
locations. Check the incoming voltage, hook it all up, and test it out.
Understand why an older home may not be a good candidate for an electric furnace
application
An older home may not have the electric service capability. Modern homes are typically 150-200A,
while older homes may only have service connections of 60-100A. In that case, the electric service
connection would need to be upgraded before installing an electric furnace.
Chapter 32 Testing and Balancing
Be able to define the role of Testing and Balancing within the HVAC industry
The TAB industry is an independent quality control checking mechanism for HVAC. The industry has
grown as people become more concerned with air quality and energy effiency.
Know what the main purpose of TAB
The main purpose is to test a system, and compare it to what the system was designed to do. This
means going through the system and making changes until the air coming out at the registers is as close
to what it was designed to be as possible.
Understand the most accurate way to measure air volume at a supply register
The most accurate way is with a flow measuring hood. This device attaches to a register and records the
volume of air flowing through it.
Know what a stroboscope and a tachometer would be used for
Stroboscopes are strobe lights with adjustable timing. They are used to measure the actual fan speed by
syncing the flashes so the fan appears to be frozen, and that strobe frequency is the frequency of the
fan. Tachometers can either use lasers to determine fan speed, or a mechanical tachometer can be
pressed against the motor shaft and display the fan speed.
Have an understanding of how air typically moves through a duct
The air moves the fastest in the center of the duct and slowest where it touches the duct, which causes
friction and slows the air.
Know the essential components of an air-balancing procedure
Basically measure the intake CFM and the output CFM and compare them to find leaks. Make sure the
fan is blowing at the correct speed. If the total CFM's match up, dampers can adjust how much air goes
to which register.
Understand how a damper would be used in an air-balancing procedure
Dampers restrict air flow. If a duct splits into two ducts that each have dampers, and you find that one
side is getting too much air and the other side isn't getting enough, the dampers can be adjusted so more
air goes to the side that isn't getting enough.
Know what would cause airflow at the supply registers to be much lower that airflow at
the blower
Leakage would cause the registers to have way less airflow than at the fan.
Know the current that can be handled by typical residential wire sizes
Smaller gage wires are larger and can handle larger currents. 14 gage can handle up to 15A, 12 gage
can handle up to 20A, 10 gage can handle up to 30A, and 8 gage can handle up to 40A.
Understand how the residential service entrance main disconnect switch functions and
where it is located
Main disconnect switches are located at the electrical panel and can be either externally operated or
accessed from within the panel. Throwing the main disconnect switch ceases the flow of electricity into
the building.
Be familiar with the three ways that electrical power can enter a residence
Electrical power can enter through mast or clevis service drops or laterally through underground power
lines.
HW #4 Temporary Structures
Be able to recall some of the significant ideas that were presented regarding soldier piles
and lagging shoring systems, scaffolding systems, cofferdams, slipforming and selfclimbing
formwork