Capacitors October 6, 2020
Capacitors
Capacitors are typically small cylindrical objects necessary for you HVAC unit to operate. Capacitors store electrical energy and release it when needed usually during system start up but also have an integral part in the way electricity flows through motors like your fan motor or the compressor. These capacitors are powered up with electricity and store that energy until it is needed much like a battery.
Why do capacitors fail?
Capacitor manufacturers much like light bulb manufacturers will say good for 200,000 starts and these numbers will be based on test results. Sometimes they don’t last this long due to defects in the manufacturing process or defects in the materials. Often times capacitors fail during the summer months when you need your air conditioning the most leaving customers asking their service technician for an explanation. There are many factors that can contribute to a premature failure of a capacitor units operating with excessive starts and stops tend to have capacitor failure. Units that see excessive amperage often caused by higher than average refrigerant pressures see premature capacitor failures. This can be caused by clogged condenser coil either dirty fins on an outdoor condenser or dirty building mechanical water on a water source heat pump. Another Capacitor killer over amperage during SDG&E “brown outs” there are voltage swings in the electrical grid that allow voltage to drop below an air conditioner’s recommended input voltage. The reason a drop in voltage causes these capacitors to fail is because motors run on wattage and ohms law states that voltage x amperage= wattage therefore if the voltage drops amperage has to go up often times killing your capacitor. I remember one summer where almost every service call around downtown San Diego was a failed capacitor.
What are Capacitor failure symptoms?
Common failure symptoms of a capacitor can be just air is blowing from the vents but not cold due to the compressor not starting. Often times an air conditioner has many capacitors for both fan motors as well as the compressor. If an indoor fan motor capacitor fails you may hear your system running but not feel any airflow from the vents. If an outdoor fan motor capacitor fails the unit may not be working as efficiently and may sound louder than normal outside. If you suspect you may have a failed capacitor it is best to leave your unit switched off and call an HVAC professional at 858-454-4822 to evaluate. Operating your unit without the capacitor can lead to more expensive motor damage or icing of the indoor coil.
Dual run capacitor
Dual capacitors are usually found inside of your outdoor condensing unit and are responsible for starting the compressor as well as the outdoor fan motor. Part of preventative maintenance inspection is a check of electrical and controls. During these routine checks we can find leaking capacitors or corroded terminals and avoid inconvenient periods of non-operation when you need your Air conditioner or Heater the most.
La Jolla HVAC
858-454-4822
Whalen Water Source Heat Pumps August 10, 2019
Whalen Water Source Heat Pumps
If you visit the Whalen website you will see they boast being “the industry’s first choice for multi-story heating and cooling” Their machines are durable and chassis replacements are easy. Simple control systems minimize the potential of failures and they never include service fittings for the refrigerant circuit. Their opinion on the lack of refrigerant fittings is it removes the potential for a contaminated charge by a service technician. I tend to agree with this statement to some extent although being able to attache a gauge manifold and view system pressures during operation can be a vital component to diagnosing a more complicated issue. Since a technician cannot view these pressures it is crucial that they take readings on blower motor and compressor amp draws, air side temperature split, water temperature split and is good practice to use an infared thermometer to scan the surface temperature of a coil. These system vitals can be used much like a doctor would take blood pressure and heart rate to determine if a patient is in good general health.
If you live in a Downtown high rise in San Diego you may have one of these whalen water source heat pumps installed in a small closet somewhere in your condo. Like i said earlier these machines with their simple control systems can prove to be reliable work horses for providing indoor comfort. When these machines stop it can be frustrating to find a service company that is familiar with their operation. I have heard from my customers horror stories of dealing with home warranty companies or even some companies refusing to work on them. Being a technician and seeing the multitude of problems that can arise out of such a simple machine I can relate to customer frustration. These machines provide a niche market in San Diego and I enjoy understanding them so well. Customer calls usually start with them explaining that it just isn’t heating or isn’t cooling. During these calls I can often sense that they are nervous about calling for a repair concerned about the cost sometimes even having talked with neighbors who had a horribly expensive repair bill or worse yet a service person who couldn’t identify and correct the problem. My response to the customer is usually a few questions to help myself better understand the source of the problem… Is the fan blowing but the air is no longer cool? Is the airflow weak? Do you hear the compressor but no air at the vents?
Most of these service visits are resolved in one to two hours and the repair components are less than $100 customers are always relieved to find out that the issue can be resolved so quickly and usually for less than $200-300. The things I see fail in San Diego are usually blower motor and compressor capacitors. Occasionally a water loop or flow control device will become clogged with sediment that is entrained in the buildings mechanical loop causing excessive refrigerant pressures and amp draw. More rare but not impossible is a failed compressor a a refrigerant leak usually when we encounter this i recommend the homeowner consider replacement over repair.
Some things that you could do as a homeowner to help and maybe even avoid a service call is to check and see if your filter is clean and vents are open. Also be aware that these machines are water cooled and depend on the HOA building mechanical water system to be functioning so they can operate. Check to make sure the machine was not running during a mechanical loop shut down that may have caused the machine’s simple safety circuit to trip. If it was running without water flow the best way to reset this safety circuit is by locating the circuit breaker in your panel and switching it to the off position to remove power and back on clearing the safety relays position.
Okay you tried resetting and thee machine still is not operating properly now i recommend you call a service company familiar with these machines. To get ready for your technician please remove items from the closet surrounding the hvac equipment. Put away expensive vases or art that may be located in close proximity of the closet doors they will need to be opened all the way. Also if you have breakable items on a table in front of your thermostat please safely store these. If you have mobility issues and need help moving a few things that aren’t easily damaged our technicians will be happy to assist you.
Call La Jolla HVAC @ 858-454-4822
Whalen Water Source Heat Pump Preventive Maintenance
Manufacturer recommends replacing the hose kits every 5 years to avoid leaks. Having your unit inspected annually is highly recommended to determine age and condition of these hoses. The connections should be clean and dry with no evidence of corrosion.
Filters should be replaced at minimum annually but it is a good rule of thumb to check your filter monthly if under heavy use such as late summer months in San Diego when humidity can be extreme. Most homeowners can replace quarterly or bi-annualy if use is average.
Additional maintenance items should include a reading of system vitals; compressor amp draw, blower motor amp draw, water temperature differential, air side temperature split, inspection of the drain pan, cleaning of transfer sills at base of evaporator coil, lightly brushing the coil after applying an approved coil safe cleaner.
HVAC Service Contracts November 06, 2018
HVAC service contract types
HVAC service contracts generally fall into the following categories:
A PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE agreement is a baseline contract that covers a number of regularly scheduled maintenance visits each year. During these visits, a technician will thoroughly inspect your equipment, clean and test the components for proper operation. When needed, worn parts such as belts and air filters are replaced. The number of maintenance visits you need and the list of included maintenance tasks may depend on the age and type of your equipment, as well as the operating conditions and usage requirements. A preventive maintenance agreement is the least expensive type of HVAC service contract.
A FULL LABOR contract covers all the labor needed for repairs or replacements as well as for maintenance, but you’re responsible for the parts. An HVAC service contract that includes full labor costs more than a contract that covers only preventive maintenance.
A FULL COVERAGE contract is the ultimate insurance policy, covering all parts and labor, emergency service and preventive maintenance. This is the most expensive type of coverage, yet it can save you a great deal of money if you need expensive repairs. A full coverage contract also allows you to budget for your HVAC repair expenses, and gives you peace of mind since you don’t have to worry about surprises.
Factors that affect HVAC service contract pricing for PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE:
1. NUMBER OF EQUIPMENT ITEMS. If you have only a single rooftop unit, your contract will cost less than if you have numerous units for a large space or several floors of a building.
2. THE SIZE OR TONNAGE OF YOUR HVAC SYSTEM. A larger system has more components that need to be inspected and maintained. For example, a simple 2-ton residential or light commercial split system may have only one filter, a singe compressor and no belts to change. Yet a 50-ton system may have 20 filters, several belts, several compressors and numerous electrical connections to check. More components take more time and cost more to maintain.
3. TYPE OF EQUIPMENT. A rooftop unit may cost less to cover, since all the components are self-contained. Some of the newer, high-end HVAC technology such as VRF systems may cost somewhat more to maintain due to the additional time and expertise needed to service them.
4. ACCESSIBILITY OF THE EQUIPMENT. This is a big factor in New York City, where space is at a premium and HVAC equipment is often jammed up into any available crawl space. The amount of time it takes to get at the equipment factors into the price to service it. So if you have an easily accessible equipment room, you’ll pay less. On the other hand, if panels and millwork need to be removed every time the equipment needs service, your contract cost will be higher. Additionally, a self-contained unit is easier to service than a system that has components located throughout the building.
5. DISTANCE. If the vendor is located near you, or has a large number of service trucks in your area, it will keep your contract price down since the vendor doesn’t need to factor in much travel time. On the other hand, if you’re asking a vendor to travel a great distance away or outside their service area, the price will increase.
6. INCLUDED TASKS. There can be some variation in what vendors consider “preventive” tasks. Some might just change your filters and belts and call it done. Quality HVAC service vendors will also check refrigerant levels, inspect electrical connections and condition of parts, clean the coils and checking drain lines and pans. If the included maintenance tasks are not listed in the contract, ask for that list so you can compare apples to apples.
Related article: Spring AC Maintenance Checklist & Comparing Service Contracts.
7. NUMBER OF MAINTENANCE VISITS. In many cases, two service appointments per year are sufficient to keep your HVAC system in good working order. However, you may need more visits if your system is running 24×7, if your equipment is exposed to poor air quality conditions (such as industrial or kitchen exhaust), or if you have complex equipment that requires more frequent monitoring.
Additional factors that affect pricing for FULL-LABOR COVERAGE contracts:
8. AGE AND CONDITION OF EQUIPMENT. Just like a life insurance policy costs more depending on your age and your health, full labor and full coverage contracts costs more if your equipment is older and/or in poor condition, and therefore more likely to fail.
9. LIFE EXPECTANCY. Certain types of equipment are designed to last longer than others. In general, it costs more to cover a unit with a shorter life expectancy than a unit with a longer one (with the age and condition being equal).
Is the price too good to be true? Here’s how to tell.
When it comes down to it, the price of an HVAC service contract for preventive maintenance is derived from the time it takes to do the maintenance tasks, times the company’s hourly labor rate.
If you get a price that seems too good to be true, take out your calculator and do the math to see what you’re really getting.
Start with the price of the contract and divide that by the company’s hourly rate for service. That’s how many hours of service you’ll be getting. Now divide that by the number of visits, and again by the number of equipment items covered. That’s how much time the company plans to spend on each equipment item. You might be surprised to find out that this low bidder is planning on spending 4 minutes and 32 seconds on maintaining a piece of equipment.
It’s not too difficult to see if you’ll really get the service you’re paying for.
CONDITION is key
In item #8 we mentioned that the condition of your equipment affects the price of your HVAC service contract. That’s because well-maintained equipment lasts longer and works more reliably, without breakdowns. So the money you’re spending on preventive maintenance means you’ll spend less to repair it. And the longer life span reduces your total cost of ownership.