HVAC Tech Tip: Keep your customers cozy

As the weather turns cold, helping your customers stay warm and cozy is the first order of business. Make customers happy and ensure their equipment runs efficiently by keeping a few simple design and equipment selection details in mind.

When equipment cycles excessively you end up with unwanted temperature swings and inefficient operation. Luckily, many systems available today can vary their capacity, allowing the equipment to run quietly in the background at greatly reduced output to minimize cycling. If you are replacing equipment, select a product that has a minimum output that is about four times lower than its maximum rated output. This ensures that it will not cycle excessively, and room temperatures will be held more consistently throughout the season.

Thermostat set-points and placement are also critical to customer comfort and energy efficiency. There are a few simple best practices used to ensure systems are operating efficiently without sacrificing comfort:

• Make sure that thermostats are installed centrally inside the conditioned zone, on an interior wall, and away from any of the potential hot or cool spots like windows, doors, or vents.
• When setting up thermostats ensure that the set-points match the surrounding zones and that there is at least a four-degree dead band between the heating and cooling set-points so that the system does not toggle between heating and cooling.
• When setting up a heat pump thermostat, verify that the backup electric resistance heat is locked out until it is absolutely necessary. Commonly this backup heat is set to kick on well before the unit runs out of capacity, leading to unnecessary energy waste.
• If the thermostat has a limited duration occupant override function, make sure it is set so that the system reverts to the original schedule in three hours or less. Doing so will keep the system from operating inefficiently while the space is unoccupied and keep energy costs in check.

For more HVAC tips and best practices, search the Trade Ally Network NW website or contact your regional field specialist.