HVAC Systems and Loss Evaluation

1) Introduction and topic outline (0:00 – 3:11)
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspa) Thermodynamics and HVAC systems
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspb) Basic components of an air conditioner
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspc) How an air conditioner operates and what a typical installation looks like
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspd) How hail damage affects a unit’s performance and potential repair options
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspe) Theft or vandalism damage and how and if it can be repaired
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspf) Diagnosis of lightning and power surge damage
2) The early development of air conditioning (3:11 – 4:50)
3) Thermodynamics (4:50 – 7:44)
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspa) Definition of thermodynamics
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspb) The first two laws of thermodynamics
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspc) How compression produces heat
4) Foundational explanation of how an HVAC system works (7:44 – 10:04)
5) Identification of some basic HVAC systems (10:04 – 12:39)
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspa) Conventional split system air conditioners
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspb) Mini-split systems
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspc) Swamp coolers
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspd) Package or Roof top units (“RTUs”)
6) Recap (12:39 – end)

1) HVAC components (0:00 – 1:08)
a) Two basic components of a split system
i) Air handler
ii) Condensing unit
b) Three main components of an HVAC system
i) Compressor
ii) Condenser coil
iii) Evaporator coil
2) Air handler (1:08 – 3:32)
a) Components contained with an air handler
b) Composition and purpose of ductwork
c) Different types of heating sources contained within air handlers
3) Blower fan and the evaporator coil (3:32 – 5:08)
a) Purpose of the blower fan
b) Composition and purpose of the evaporator coil
c) Line sets
4) Condensing unit (5:08 – 8:48)
a) Placement of the condensing unit using a mounting pad
b) Components contained within the condensing unit
i) Compressor
ii) Condenser coil
5) Other components of an HVAC system (8:48 – 12:27)
a) Filter Drier
b) Metering Device
c) Thermostat
d) Capacitors
i) Run capacitor
ii) Hard start capacitor or kit
6) Recap (12:27 – end)

1) Review of HVAC systems’ functionality (0:00 – 1:43)
2) Proper Sizing of HVAC equipment (1:43 – 4:45)
a) What tonnage means in HVAC applications
b) Performing a load calculation
c) Avoiding short-cycling and the under-sizing of equipment
3) Typical installations of a split system in residential and light
commercial applications (4:45 – 9:08)
a) Place the outdoor equipment
b) Place indoor equipment or air handler
c) Connect the air handler to the condenser using the line sets
d) Perform leak tests
e) Charge the system with refrigerant
f) Install the electrical components
i) Line voltage connections
ii) Low voltage connections
g) Start the system to verify that it meets all manufacturers’
specifications
4) Heat pumps (9:08 – 10:44)
a) Produce cooling as well as heat
b) Explanation of how heat pumps generally work
5) Midsized to larger commercial units (10:44 – 12:52)
a) Roof top units (RTUs)
b) Chillers – normally used for industrial and large commercial
cooling
6) Recap (12:52 – end)

1) The extent of hail losses (0:00 – 1:21)
2) How hail affects the operation of an HVAC system (1:21 – 5:06)
3) A/C coil damage and potential repair options (5:06 – 12:44)
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspa) Little to no damage
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspb) Moderate to severe damage
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspc) When combing out the fins may be needed
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspd) When complete coil or unit replacement may be needed
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspe) The use of hail guards to protect the condenser coil from direct impact
4) Recap (12:44 – end)

1) Copper thefts and related vandalism damages and their impact on
HVAC systems (0:00 – 1:57)
a) Value of stolen copper as a scrap metal
b) Condensing coils are made of copper, making them attractive to
thieves
2) Federal laws, treaties and regulations and how they may affect A/C
repair options (1:57 – 8:17)
a) Replacement of a R22 system
b) The Montreal Protocol and its impact on the use of R22 systems
c) Higher system efficiencies offered by R-410A refrigerant also known
as “Puron”
d) Discussion of what a SEER rating is
3) How copper thefts impact other components of the A/C system (8:17
– 12:40)
a) Line sets
b) Disconnect box
c) Flexible whip
d) Filter drier
e) Mounting pad
f) Thermostats, including the three types
4) Recap (12:40 – end)

1) Definition of lightning (0:00 – 0:50)
2) The difficulties of correctly diagnosing lightning damages to HVAC systems (0:50 – 2:33)
3) Four types of lightning strikes (2:33 – 4:59)
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspa) Direct strike
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspb) Utility strike or power surge
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspc) Tree or structure strike
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspd) Ground strike
4) Brownouts and resulting damages (4:59 – 5:37)
5) IEC-61000 International Guideline (5:37 – 6:43)
6) Compressor safety devices (6:43 – 7:58)
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspa) Time Delay Relay (“TDR”)
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspb) Internal Thermal Overload Device
7) Common compressor failures and the three main reasons for misdiagnosis (7:58 – 12:20)
8) Closing remarks and references list (12:20 – 14:03)
9) Recap (14:03 – end)