HVAC Flashcards
Damper
A damper is a component in charge of controlling the airflow in an HVAC system. It also helps in adjusting your room temperature. It could be compared to a dam, in that, when a damper is closed, it stops the air from going through it. This is the same mechanism that a dam on a river uses.
F/I Volume Damper = $250
Fire/Smoke Damper Controls = $2,000 EA
Plenum
A plenum in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is a box that connects to the HVAC system. It has a critical function and that is to bring in, distribute, and remove air.
Each HVAC system typically uses two plenum boxes: a supply plenum and a return plenum.
Supply Plenum
A supply plenum works by taking in the new cool or warm air from the heater or air conditioning system and, in turn, distribute it throughout the building using the HVAC’s ductwork.
Return Plenum
A return plenum takes in that used air and, using the ductwork, sends it back to the core HVAC system. That air is recycled as a fresh batch later.
Fire Damper
Fire dampers are passive fire protection products used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ducts to prevent the spread of fire inside the ductwork through fire-resistance rated walls and floors.
Note: Does NOT require power by electrician
F/I Fire Dampers = $350 - $500
Check Valve
A check valve is a one-way valve, in which the flow can run freely one way, but if the flow turns, the valve will close to protect the piping, other valves, pumps etc. Check valves are used in heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems.
Condensate Pumps
They collect and pump out all the condensation that gathers within your HVAC system during heating and air conditioning processes — like miniature sump pumps. Without them, you’ll basically have a wet floor problem, and in the hot summer months, that could mean lots of condensation and plenty of wet floor
A condensate pump captures condensed liquid from a heating and/or air conditioning system and pumps to disperse it into a drainage system once the liquid level triggers a switch.
In the air conditioning process, when warm, moist air is pulled across the system’s cooling coils, the moisture condenses into a drain pan below. In the heating process of a condensing gas furnace, the system doesn’t immediately dispel combustion gases through vents but retains the gases to pull heat from them — a process that allows the gases to cool and condense into water before being sent packing.
F/I Condensate pump = $1,000 / per
Fire Smoke Damper
They are used in HVAC penetrations where a wall, floor, or ceiling is required to have both a fire damper and smoke damper. They close upon the detection of heat (via duct temperature) or smoke (via a smoke detector) and “seal” the opening. Unlike regular fire dampers, however, fire/smoke dampers are available with electric heat release devices instead of fusible links. The electric release devices are resettable and allow the damper to close in a controlled manner rather than slamming closed and causing pressure problems in the HVAC system.
POWERED (INSTALLED) BY ELECTRICIAN
F/I Fire Dampers = $350 - $500
Electric Baseboard Heaters
You might hear electrical heating baseboards called convection baseboard heat system. This is the most common type of base board heater and is designed to control the temperature within rooms.
Inside each heating unit is a heating element made of electric coils. They work similarly to the way the heating coils inside a toaster work. When the switch is turned up, the coils heat up and disperse heat into the room. These baseboard heaters are controlled by a thermostat that is on the heater or mounted to the wall. As the air is heated, it will rise in the room and cooler air will be drawn into the bottom of the heater. There will also be some heat radiating from the pipes, fins, and housing.
HVAC (house)
Leak Detectors
A leak detector is a sensor used for monitoring a system that contains liquids, gasses, or other substances to ensure that the contained materials do not escape, leak, or otherwise leave the system. The leak detection process involves the use of various types of sensors, detection devices, and equipment specifically designed for sensing and detecting errors in a self-contained system.
Leak Detectors are typically F/I by HVAC but Powered by Electric.
Leak Detector wiring = $750
Diffuser
HVAC diffusers are outlet vent points on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Although they are occasionally used as return air vents, their main purpose is to introduce conditioned air into a space in such a way that even distribution and mixing is achieved with minimum noise. HVAC diffusers are produced in a variety of standardized sizes and are generally square, rectangular or round; they typically feature sets of louvers or fins that direct air flow in a preset pattern. Larger, industrial diffusers may include adjustable louvers or dampers, which can be manually or automatically adjusted to control airflow volumes. Although diffusers are often seen as no more than decorative grills for inlet vents, they play an essential role in the efficacy of HVAC systems and should be correctly matched to any given application.
F/I Diffuser with Branch Ductwork = $2,100
Air Curtain
An air curtain uses a fan to force a curtain of air in a downward direction. The forced air creates an invisible barrier that helps to control temperatures by preventing hot or cold air from entering a doorway or building at an opening.
F/I Air Curtain = $7,500
Convector
A convection heater is a type of heater that uses convection currents to heat and circulate air. These currents circulate throughout the body of the appliance and across its heating element.
By placing convectors under a window, the heated air rises and blocks the down draft of cold air, creating a heated air curtain. All convectors contain two components that work together to safely deliver heated air to the space: the element and an over temperature limit.
The difference between radiators and convector lies in the convective heat which only the latter type of units generates. Radiators give off radiant heat, whereas convectors deliver convective heat. Convection is a difficult word for the transfer of heat through the air.
Firestopping HVAC (all trades are typically responsible for firestopping their own items)
Fire stopping is best defined as the sealing of any openings to prevent fire (including smoke and heat) from passing through multiple building compartments. The spread of a fire is contained by creating fire resisting compartments, which subdivide the building (vertically or horizontally). Buildings must ensure that any openings and gaps are fire stopped to restrict both lateral and vertical fire spread.
Crac Unit
Computer Room Air Conditioning (CRAC) are cooling units for computer rooms. As the equipment in your computer room becomes more complex and compact, computer rooms are watching their power draw and heat generation quickly rise. The increase in computer room power consumption, density, and heat generation requires a more exact approach to a computer or IT room air conditioning design than ever before.
F/I CRAC A/C Unit = $7,000
Condensate Piping
A condensate pipe’s main function is to transfer acidic waste water produced from the boiler’s condensing process, safely away and out the property via an external drain.
F/I Condensate Piping = $80.00 / Per LF
Registers / Floor Vents
Registers (Floor Vents) are ideal if you live in a climate where heating your home is your primary concern. Since warm air rises, the heat that comes out of your floor vents will warm your room as it ascends. These types of vents are typically placed near windows so the warm air from the ducts and the cooler air coming from the window can mix.
You’ll want to ensure that your floor vents aren’t obstructed so as not to interrupt the airflow, so consider choosing decorative vent covers that’ll complement the décor of your room. Consider vents in scroll or wicker patterns that are both visually appealing and functional. If you want your vents to truly blend in with wood floors or paneling, filter a search by wood vent covers on Lowes.com.
Duct system Components
Basic Duct System Components
Supply Plenum - usually on top of air handler for the initial distribution of conditioned air through connected ductwork.
Return Air Drop - brings air from living space to air handler for conditioning and re-distribution.
Flared Rectangular Take-off - connects to plenum to start ductwork.
Reducer - usually 3 or 4 supply branches are connected to main trunk before a reducer changes duct size. Can be rectangular, square, or round.
Top Take-off - connector for round branch lines to connect to main supply trunk. Can be square-to-round, oval-to-round, or round-to-round. Often are used as side take-offs also.
Boots - delivers conditioned air into living space and houses the register.
Stack head - a boot for a wall register.
Wall stack - ductwork inside a wall to feed a stack head.
Panning - flat metal nailed to joists for return air.
Outside Air - Often a free flowing outide air is tied into the return ducting to keep some fresh air introduced into the residence. In extreme climates this ducting must be insulated, or condensation will occur.
