New Technologies in HVAC: What We Know

and Where the Industry Is HeadingGreg Jourdan, HVAC/R Professor

Wenatchee Valley College, Washington1-2:30, 3-4:30

New Technologies in HVAC: What We Knowand Where the Industry Is Heading

Session One, 1-2:30a) High-efficiency heat pumpsb) High-efficiency furnacesc) Variable speed ECM motors

Session Two, 3-4:30 a) Thermal imaging toolsb) Modern test tools for Energy Efficiencyc) How HVAC pros can better serve current clients

and generate new business.

Heat Pump, Furnaces, and ECM Motor Quiz

1. T F Heat Pump COP’s go up when OSA temps go down.

2. T F UL Labs rate all HVAC equipment in the USA.

3. T F Heat Pumps can’t work efficiently below 20 deg.f, and should be switched to fossil fuel or aux. heat.

4. T F Compressors in cold climate heat pumps tend to overheat due to the high compression ratio’s.

5. T F ECM Motors in a home are really just a 3 phase motor.

6. T F ECM Motors will vary speed and cfm.

7. T F Modern furnaces can have up to 95% AFUE.

8. T F Electronic zone control can save up to 30% energy.

9. T F Modern thermostats are using Proportional not Digital Control

10. T F Heat pumps are more efficient when they control inside based on outside temperatures.

What We Know About Heat Pumps“They Heat in Winter, Cool in Summer”

and Typically Don’t work in Cold Weather

Heat Pump SystemTraditional Unit in Cooling Mode

Heat Pump SystemTraditional Unit in Heating Mode

Heat Pump SystemOperation-Ground Source

Heat Pump System-Water Source with Boiler and Tower

Ductless Heat Pumps

Packaged Heat Pumps with Economizers

We Know That---The Heat Pump System

Efficiency and Heat Output Capacity Drops When Outside Air

Temperature Drops

Heat Pump System Efficiency-Traditional Split System Heat Output Capacity (ARHI Rated)

Where are we Going with Heat Pumps?

The Present and Future Generation Will Be GREEN Friendly

• Fully Electronic Controlled

• Multiple Compressors

• Variable Speed Drives

• Low Temperature Designs

• Web Based Thermostats

• Integrated Controls into the Home Automation System

Heat Pump SystemIllustration-2 Compressor Unit

System on PH Chart (2 compressors)

Thermodynamic Properties and Performance of ACHP036 @ -10 f OSA and

70 f Inside Return Air

Two Stage Compressor SystemCooling Modes

Low Temp Heat Pumpswith One Compressor

• These systems employ INVERTER-driven scroll compressor technology to ensure that room temperature is reached more quickly and desired comfort level is maintained consistently, while conserving energy. And with the integration of the innovative Flash technology, these models exhibit 100% of rated heating capacity at 5F and 87% at -4F outdoor ambient.

• Guaranteed heating operation down to -13° F outdoorConstant comfort performance, longer interval between defrost time - provides up to 250 minutes of heating in one continuous cycle, with significantly lesser defrost time

Low Temp Heat Pumps(One Compressor)

Heat Performance Table –30,000 BTU/h Capacity System

(One Compressor)

Heat Performance

At Outdoor DB

Heating

Capacity

Btu/h

TPW

Heating

HSPF

IV

COP

Heating at 17F

(-8.3°C)

32,000 5,720 5.6 1.64

Heating at 5F

(-15°C)

32,000 6,630 4.8 1.41

Heating at -4F

(-20°C)

26,400 6,192 4.3 1.25

Heating at -13F

(-25°C)

24,000 6,295 3.8 1.12

Performance Table

36,000 BTU/h Capacity System

System Model

Number

Cooling

Capacity

Btu/h

Heating

Capacity

Btu/h

TPW

Cooling

TPW

HeatingSEER

HSPF

IV (V)COP

CFM

(Hi/Dry)

18,000

–

36,000

18,000

–

38,000

3,120 3,230 16.09.4

(7.3)3.45 1060

TPW = Total Power Watts

The Compressor for the Single Stage Heat Pump is Variable Speed

The Outdoor Equipment-2 Compressor Heat Pump (3 yrs old)

The Indoor Heat Pump Equipment is Standard AHU

The Outdoor Equipment-2 Compressor Unit

The Indoor Equipment-is a Standard Air Handler (AHU)

The Indoor Equipment

The Outdoor Compressors-Low Heat Pump (Standard Compressors)

Indoor Unit Circuit Board

Indoor Unit Circuit Board

Indoor AHU-Standard Product

Outdoor Unit Circuit Board

Outdoor Unit Circuit Board

Performance Studies of Problems with Split System Heat Pumps

• Airflow too low in 70% of systems

• Refrigerant charge incorrect in 74% of units

Low Temperature Heat Pump Components are still BASIC To Troubleshooting

Primary Component Problems are still the:

• Thermostat

• Indoor AHU

• Outdoor Unit

• Electrical

• Refrigerant Charge

• Air Flow

The Thermostats are Universal and Need to be Properly Programmed

Note-Old units are simply digital switches, but newer units send out variable analog signals to

control temps accurately

Thermostat Programmingis NOT User Friendly

Heat Pump Thermostats

Can control inside based on outside conditions to

SAVE ENERGY

Dual Fuel Temperature Thermostats

• The Thermostat can monitor outside temperature through an outdoor remote sensor if installed and switch to gas heat and inhibit the compressor when in heat pump mode and outside temperature is below a user selectable value. This temperature is called the dual fuel temperature set point. This eliminates the need for a fossil fuel kit.

• For this feature to be functional the following conditions are to be met:

• The thermostat must be in heat pump mode;• The outdoor temperature sensor must be enabled

and operational.

Troubleshooting the ThermostatMeans the TECHS MUST Read the

Manufacturer’s Instructions (RTMI)

Sample

The Indoor ThermostatMust be Mounted in the Proper

Location

• Inside Wall

• Locate in the Return Air

• Mount at approx. 5’

• Free of Drafts

• Not Next to Computers or Heat Source

• No Direct Light on T-Stat