#accumulator

Tech Tips:

In air conditioning service, we don't always see systems with accumulators. In fact, they are pretty uncommon unless you work on a lot of heat pumps. However, as heat pumps gain popularity, charging systems with accumulators will be a good skill to have in your tool bag. We are Carrier dealers in Florida, so we […]

Accumulator & Burnout Considerations

The suction line accumulator is designed to keep liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor while still allowing for oil return. The trouble is that if the oil return port/screen clogs, the accumulator can fill with oil and actually cause the compressor to fail. In addition to that, it can hold contaminated oil in a burnout. […]

What is a Suction Accumulator?

Suction Accumulators A suction accumulator is used to prevent liquid refrigerant floodback to the compressor. A compressor is designed to move vapor refrigerant, NOT liquid, and the accumulator can really help us win that battle. Accumulators are commonly used on heat pumps, transportation refrigeration systems, low-temp supermarket systems, and any place where liquid refrigerant flooding […]

Diagnosing & Replacing a Compressor

In this podcast episode, Bryan goes over best practices for diagnosing and replacing an A/C or refrigeration compressor. When testing for a shorted compressor, make sure the compressor is isolated from all of its circuitry. You would see low ohms to ground in a shorted compressor. Do NOT measure from winding to winding or terminal […]

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HVAC School – For Techs, By Techs

Real training for HVAC ( Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) Technicians. Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade.

In this informative episode, Josh Souders from Copeland joins Bryan to dive deep into heat pump technology, discussing everything from basic operations to advanced features in cold climate applications. The conversation begins with a fundamental explanation of how heat pumps work, describing them as essentially air conditioners with a reversing valve that allows them to provide both heating and cooling. Josh explains the thermodynamic principles that enable heat pumps to extract heat from cold outdoor air and transfer it indoors, achieving coefficients of performance (COP) ranging from 1.5 to 3, making them significantly more efficient than traditional electric resistance heating.

The discussion moves into the broader context of electrification and decarbonization, explaining how heat pumps fit into these environmental initiatives. Josh details how modern cold climate heat pumps have evolved significantly from earlier generations, particularly through the Department of Energy’s Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge program. This program pushed manufacturers to develop systems capable of maintaining full heating capacity at very low temperatures, addressing historical concerns about heat pump performance in cold regions.

Variable speed technology emerges as a key topic, with Josh explaining how modern inverter-driven compressors can operate across a wide range of speeds – from 900 to 7,000 RPM in their newest A2L products. This capability allows systems to maintain heating capacity in cold weather by increasing compressor speed when needed. The conversation also covers practical considerations for installation and troubleshooting, including the importance of proper defrost cycles, installation location, and the use of riser kits in snowy regions.

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