Beginner's Guide to HVAC

HVAC Training and Job Qualifications

2006-02-23T19:33:10Z

As these systems are becoming more complex, HVAC training via technical schools or through an apprenticeship program is preferred. Yet, there are still lots of technicians that learn job as they work.

Training in heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration from 6 months to 2 years can be had through secondary and postsecondary technical and trade schools, junior and community colleges, and the U.S. Armed Forces. In these programs, theory, design, electronics, and equipment construction is studied. In addition, students are taught the fundamentals of installing, maintaining, and repairing these systems.

Combined chapters of the Air-Conditioning Contractors of America, the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, the National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors, and locals of the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association or the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada often work together to set up and run training programs for apprentices. Additionally, local sections Associated Builders and Contractors and the National Association of Home Builders organizations might also sponsor an apprenticeship program. These programs range anywhere from 3 to 5 years and include on-the-job training alongside classroom teaching. One’s classroom experience might cover various subjects like how to use and care for tools, safety, reading blueprints, as well as the theory and design of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems. To apply for such a job, one must have graduated from high school or achieve a similar status. The ability read and perform mathematical computations is paramount.

Beginners who learn the trade on the job typically benefit from the experience gained by helping established technicians. In the beginning, easy duties like handling materials, putting in insulation for refrigerant lines, or cleaning furnaces will be performed. As time progresses and experience is gained, they will be assigned more difficult duties such as cutting and soldering pipes and sheet metal, or checking circuits in the system.

To build a good foundation for this occupation, one should take classes in shop math, mechanical drawing, applied physics and chemistry, electronics, blueprint reading, and computer applications. Additional knowledge or experience of plumbing and electrical work also comes in handy. As equipment controls are more frequently used in these systems, fundamental knowledge of electronics is important as well. Since contact between worker and customers is commonplace, a technician should be courteous and tactful. Additionally, they should be physically fit as this type of work may require lifting and moving of large equipment.

All workers who handle refrigerants must be certified in this area. Certification for handling and purchasing refrigerants can be achieved by passing written exam that is specific to one’s area of specialization. One can be certified in any of three areas, which are as follows: Type I—servicing small appliances, Type II—high-pressure refrigerants, and Type III—low-pressure refrigerants. Many trade schools, unions, contractor associations and building groups can gain approval from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency and administer these exams to workers.

Those with little experience can take advantage of various class or Internet courses and independent study programs being offered by different organizations. Besides merely knowing how systems operate, workers must understand the rules, regulations, and guidelines associated with the use of refrigerants. The most common standard in the industry, as far as being certified goes, is the Air-Conditioning Excellence program, which is run by North American Technician Excellence (NATE).

Promotion in the industry typically is shown by higher earnings. Still some workers will be promoted to positions as a supervisor or manager, while others might move into sales positions or marketing. Some will become building superintendents, cost estimators, or teachers after attaining the needed certification. Those with the financial means and the appropriate managerial ability might start their own business.

HVAC Job and Employment Opportunities

2006-02-23T19:34:08Z

While opportunities are good across the board in heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration, the best opportunities exist for those with formal training. In the heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration industry, employment for mechanics projected to rise faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. With the growth in population and the economy, the demand for new residential, commercial and industrial climate-control systems shall also grow. When construction dies down, installation technicians may pass through a period of time with no employment, but typically the maintenance and repair work available remains fairly constant. Obviously, cooling and heating systems must be kept functioning properly by businesses and people, despite what economic problems might exist.

As the effort to more efficiently conserve energy is revived, more and more advancements will be made to find ways to conserver more and more energy. As energy conservation becomes the focus, old systems will be replaced with new systems prompting more installation work. Additionally, more people and businesses will seek to keep their systems running optimally, prompting more demand for service and maintenance. In 1993 the discharge of CFC and HCFC was strictly prohibited, and in 2000 there was ban placed on the producing more CFC. As a result of these regulations, workers should be in demand to replace old systems or make the necessary modifications to ensure they are environmentally safe. The added emphasis on air quality should help increase the number of jobs available in the heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration industry. Additionally, the increase in businesses that utilize refrigeration equipment, such as grocery stores, should help increase the demand for more technicians. Also, thousands of positions will open in up as a result of workers who transfer to other jobs or leave the workforce.

RESOURCES:

WWW.EDSTUDENTSERVICES.COM
WWW.EDUCATIONCENTERONLINE.ORG
WWW.EDUCATION-ONLINE-SEARCH.COM

Misting System Overview

2006-03-06T15:26:55Z

Misting systems are one of the older evaporative cooling systems around. A low-pressure mist or drip is sprayed directly from nozzles onto the animal. Misting system work by forcing water via a high pressure pump and tubing through a brass and stainless steel mist nozzle that has an orifice of about 5 micrometers producing a micro-fine mist. The water droplets that create the mist are so small, that it instantly flash evaporates. This flash evaporation can reduce the surrounding air as much as 35 °F (20 °C) in just seconds. For patio systems, it is ideal to mount the mist line approximately 8 to 10 feet above the ground for optimum cooling. Misting is used for many different applications including orchids, pets, livestock, kennels, insect control, odor control, zoos, veterinary clinics, produce cooling, greenhouses, etc.

Misting systems work well in barns that raise larger pigs or cattle. The other two types of systems rely on guiding the moisture into the airstream as opposed to directing it onto the animals like the misting system.

Misting Systems for Outdoor Cooling

2006-03-06T15:28:13Z

Misting systems are the ultimate way to cool the outdoors. Misting is a form of evaporative cooling. A series of mist nozzles surround you creating a curtain of mist. When air flows through the mist it is cooled, creating a "cool zone."

By adding a pump to the misting system you can control the pressure and create a finer mist. This will cool the area up to 30 degrees, and can be used to create special effects. Mist systems are designed to cool your patio with a fine mist. Misting is a series of mist nozzles creating a curtain of fine mist surrounding and cooling your patio and outdoor and select indoor areas.

Misting works by forcing water through a brass and stainless steel mist nozzle producing a micro-fine mist. The water droplets that create the mist are so small, about one-half the diameter of a strand of hair, that they instantly flash evaporate. This flash evaporation can reduce the surrounding air as much as 35° F in just seconds. The mist is so fine that it quickly evaporates to create the cooling effect. The idea is to keep the nozzles at an appropriate distance.

Water Misting Concept

2006-03-06T15:29:04Z

Water misting systems have proven to be more effective than conventional methods for cooling outdoor locations like a patio, green house, waiting line, or dining area. A mist fan system can increase productivity and employee morale in hot indoor or outdoor industrial working conditions. The concept incorporates water and heat to provide cooling through "flash evaporation". Specially designed mist nozzles operate under high pressure to produce tiny water droplets reducing the surrounding air temperature by as much as 20 F; 25 F with a fan. A stainless steel mist line provides cooling to the area from a high-pressure pump assembly. When combined with mist nozzles, this mist system can achieve maximum cooling without wetting or residual moisture. Mister systems can also provide a dynamic visual effect to any home, patio, or commercial location.

A misting system can be used to produce an ultra fine mist or a very coarse spray. The droplet size depends on the type of nozzle, nozzle spacing and operating pressure.

Misting systems are used for many different applications, ranging from static electricity control and dust suppression to odor control and concrete curing. Other popular uses include humidifying exotic plant and animal enclosures, outdoor people cooling, livestock cooling, etc.

A single misting system can be used in different areas by using supply lines made of very flexible high-pressure hose to carry the pressurized water from the pump to the misting nozzles. The exact number of nozzles and hose that can be operated from a single pump would ultimately be determined by several factors, such as choice of nozzle, corresponding flow rate, number of nozzles, fittings, etc.

The amount of water that a misting system will consume will depend on several factors such as, pump & nozzle style, number of nozzles on the system and frequency and duration of mistings.

So to get a good idea of how much water your system will use in a 24 hr period, just multiply the nozzle flow rate per minute x the number of nozzles on the system x the number of minutes that your system will operate each day. This will give you a reasonable estimate of how much water you can expect your system to use on a daily basis.

Misting Propagation Systems

2006-03-06T15:30:16Z

One of the most important factors for healthy growth and propagation of plants is the moisture in the air. Automatic misters can maintain the high humidity needed by rooting plants. They're available with timers that you can set to mist the entire greenhouse at specified intervals, or with moisture sensors that will send out a cooling mist whenever the moisture content of the air falls below a specific density. A misting propagation system can be one of the important greenhouse accessories in a greenhouse that grows tropical plants, or in which you intend to often start plants from leaf cuttings. There are many choices that can be both affordable and useful.

Misting Technology

2006-03-06T15:30:57Z

Misting technology is based on the principle of evaporative cooling.
Whenever a water molecule leaves a surface, it is said to have evaporated. Each water molecule that becomes water vapor takes a parcel of heat with it. This process is called evaporative cooling. Simply stated, evaporative cooling is the process of removing heat from the air by using water vapor.

Misting systems use evaporative cooling to lower the temperature of the surrounding area. Misting fans are more effective than misting line systems due to the combination of aspirated (moving) air and mist. When the movement of the air blends with the mist the result is an enhancement of the evaporation process with a rapid drop in the temperature of up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

High-Pressure Misting Systems

2006-03-06T15:31:33Z

High-Pressure Misting Systems operate between 800 and 1200 psi (pounds per square inch) of water pressure. A High- Pressure Pump is the heart of the misting system and is utilized to increase the pressure of the water flow. Droplets of water the size of 10 microns or smaller are forced through an air stream. As the micron water droplets “flash evaporate” they pick up heat from the air, which significantly drops the temperature between 25 and 35 degrees Fahrenheit, without making you wet.

What is Flash evaporation?

2006-03-06T15:32:10Z

Flash evaporation occurs when water is forced through micro nozzles, creating a super fine mist. The smaller each water droplet, the more surface area per gallon of water and the more effectively the water evaporates. As the super-fine water droplets are introduced into the atmosphere, they quickly absorb the heat present in the environment and evaporate, hence the air is cooled.

What are the Effects of Humidity?

2006-03-06T15:32:53Z

High-Pressure Misting Systems will work very effectively in both low and high levels of humidity. Even when the humidity exceeds 90%, the effects of the High-Pressure Misting System will be felt with the rapid drop in temperature and make you feel cool and more comfortable.

Mid-Pressure Misting Systems operates between 100 and 250 psi of water pressure. A Mid-Pressure Pump is utilized to increase the pressure of the water flow. It is perfectly suited for backyard and patio misting.

Low-Pressure Misting Systems operate between 40 and 100 psi of water pressure. The variance in pressure is because they operate on your household water pressure and not a pump. Normally built with PVC or poly plastic tubing and are connected to a water hose. Typically found on outdoor patios and the misting will get you wet but cool if you are standing nearby.

Mosquito Control Misting Systems

2006-03-06T15:33:47Z

Yards are just one popular area for automatic misting systems for insect control. Patios, porches, gardens and courtyards are just the beginning. Outdoor restaurants and cafes, tennis courts, golf courses and parks can also enjoy the benefits.

Pyrethrin and Permethrin are two insecticide ingredients that are extremely effective against flying and crawling insects yet safe for use on and around animals. Over the years we've learned that rotation between the two often can yield the best results. When used with PBO (Pipernyl butoxide), increased effectiveness, faster knockdown and lowered resistance are common advantages.

Mosquito Misting Systems can help aid in the control of diseases carried by insects and parasites, thus reducing the potential spread of infections and contamination.

RESOURCES:

WWW.BIGFOGG.COM
WWW.DOITYOURSELF.COM
WWW.ENZINEARTICLES.COM
WWW.REAL-ESTATE-AGENTS.COM
WWW.BSMAGRI.COM
WWW.DIYNETWORK.COM
WWW.CLOUDTOPS.COM

Insulation

2006-07-27T20:45:40Z

Air Conditioners

2006-07-27T20:47:39Z

Misting Systems

2006-07-27T20:49:08Z

HVAC Training

2006-07-27T20:50:13Z

Beginner's Guide to HVAC

HVAC Training and Job Qualifications

HVAC Job and Employment Opportunities

Misting System Overview

Misting Systems for Outdoor Cooling

Water Misting Concept

Misting Propagation Systems

Misting Technology

High-Pressure Misting Systems

What is Flash evaporation?

What are the Effects of Humidity?

Mosquito Control Misting Systems

Insulation

Insulation Overview

Types of Insulation

Where to Insulate

Considerations and Precautions

Air Conditioners

Why buy an air conditioner?

How does an air conditioner work?

What types of air conditioner are there?

What should I consider in buying a unit air conditioner?

Misting Systems

Misting System Overview

Misting Systems for Outdoor Cooling

Water Misting Concept

Misting Propagation Systems

HVAC Training

HVAC Training Overview

Heating and Air Conditioner

HVAC Training and Job Qualifications

HVAC Job and Employment Opportunities