Designing Heating and Cooling Systems in Large Buildings
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Designing Heating and Cooling Systems in Large Buildings

Have you ever wondered what goes into a heating or air conditioning system for a large office building or another large building like a mall or a school? My name is Evelyn, and I am an HVAC architect. I design heating and air conditioning systems for large, corporate buildings. Making sure that a large building with many rooms or offices is efficiently heated and cooled is a very large job and is much more complicated than simply heating or cooling a home. This blog will educate the reader on how heating and cooling jobs this large are designed and completed.

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Designing Heating and Cooling Systems in Large Buildings

A Guide To AC Compressors

Nicole Jacobs

There are so many vital elements that make up a central air conditioning system, that it can often be hard to figure out what to fix if you are having problems. Diagnosing problems can often the hardest part of HVAC repair, even for licensed pros. For instance, if you are having reduced airflow, there could be quite a few explanations for it. Of course, while there are some DIY job that homeowners can do to check, and possibly repair, airflow issues, most problems need to be handled by professionals.

Compressor Failure

One of the most common problems with air conditioners is that compressor can fail. This has a big impact on airflow, and could ultimately make it more difficult for your unit to produce cold air. So, if you are experiencing air that isn't as cold as it should be, and less of it is pumping out, the compressor is the first thing you should look at.

What is the Compressor?

The compressor is a large electrical component that is located inside the air conditioning cabinet. To oversimplify a complicated process, the compressor converts refrigerant into gas, which is them circulated throughout the home. This process sucks up the majority of the electricity that the condenser uses. The condenser is in the unit on the outside of your house. Of course, this also means that it is a component that can become damaged if it is over exposed to moisture.

Checking the Compressor

Most people have issues with their condenser coils before they have any issues with the compressor. That is, the compressor is usually not going to give you any problems. If there is something wrong with your compressor, or do you need to have it repaired, you need to call the pros.

One way to tell if your compressor is not working is to turn on your air conditioner. Stand next to the condenser unit as it powers on so you can hear it start up. Before the fan power on, you should hear a noise from the compressor. This is basically an electronic humming that should kick in before the fan starts to spin. If not, it could be that your compressor is not receiving electricity. This will usually result in no productivity or airflow. If the compressor is powering on, but just not being productive, it might be an internal problem that a pro will need to diagnose.

If you do suspect that your compressor is the source of your problem, you should call an HVAC technician to come look at it immediately.


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