Possessing the right equipment and tools for a construction job is essential to doing the job well, and HVAC projects are no exception. foundation repairs . Some equipment is designed to meet the needs of specific projects, but the following equipment is essential for most top to bottom HVAC projects: air conditioner, air filter, boiler, circulation pump, diffuser, duct material, piping, values and an HVAC control system.
Air conditioners maintain indoor temperature by either extracting heat or providing heat. Because air conditioning systems typically provide forced air, air filters are placed at ventilation duct openings to collect mold, pollen, dust, and bacteria from circulating air. Like air conditioners, boilers can provide heating, but whether they are used to provide radiant heat or simply to heat water, they require a circulation pump, which circulates slurries, liquids or gases in a closed circuit to counteract the friction in piping systems.
Diffuser is a more technical name for an outlet vent. Diffusers are used in both “all-air” and “air-water” systems to ventilate air while distributing airflow in the necessary directions. Diffusers are the air delivery openings in a system of ventilation duct work. Without diffusers, indoor spaces can become unevenly heated or cooled. Ventilation ducts are made from a variety of materials, including polyurethane and phenolic insulation panels, fabric, fiberglass and “flexible” ducting. Choosing the right duct material depends on the air distribution and air conditioning demands of a particular house or building.
Just as duct work delivers efficient airflow, piping delivers efficient water flow. Depending on the characteristics of a water distribution plan, piping can be composed of concrete, copper, steel, fiberglass, glass, plastic and a variety of other materials. Valves are an essential part of any mechanized piping system. Valves, whether they are automatic or manual, regulate the flow of fluids within a piping system by opening, closing or partially closing pipelines, which can lead to lower water and gas bills.
Once the structural and mechanical components of the system are in place, an HVAC control system is mounted at a convenient location to allow easy control of the heating and cooling systems. Industrial systems may allow for a specialized technician to control a building’s clean water and sewage system in a variety of capacities. Computerized control panels are typically used in industrial systems, whereas electric panels remain common in domestic systems.
In addition to the essential equipment listed above, the following HVAC tools are necessary to insuring that the system operates efficiently from the start: manometers, anemometers, thermometers, digital clamp meters and gas leak detectors.
Manometers are used to gas and water pressure, whereas anemometers are used to measure airflow velocity. Thermometers, of course, are used to measure air and water temperature. Digital clamp meters are commonly used to measure AC current and AC and DC voltage. Gas leak detectors insure that no combustible gas is escaping from gas heating systems. They may also contain radon-measuring capabilities.
To purchase the best equipment and discount tools for your project, consult an HVAC wholesaler or visit your local hardware supplier.
