#Rack refrigeration

Tech Tips:

This quick article was written by market refrigeration tech Clayton Peeples. Thanks, Clayton! Adjusting the TXV should be done last after checking all other causes of the case being warm or floodback on the rack. TXVs very rarely go bad; generally, it's a dirty screen or a failed powerhead, both of which can be addressed […]

Rack Refrigeration Cycle Part 10 – Electronic Expansion Valves

Rack Refrigeration Cycle Part 9 – Mechanical Expansion Valves

Rack Refrigeration Cycle Part 8 – Sight Glass and Liquid Line Solenoid

Rack Refrigeration Cycle Part 7 – Subcooler and Liquid Pressure Regulator

Rack Refrigeration Cycle Part 6 – Surge Ambient Subcoolers and Dryers-Filters

Rack Refrigeration Cycle Part 5 – Liquid Receiver w/ Matthew Taylor

Rack Refrigeration Cycle Part 4 – Low Ambient Cooling w/ Matthew Taylor

Rack Refrigeration Cycle Part 3 – Oil Systems w/ Matthew Taylor

Rack Refrigeration Cycle Part 1 with Matthew Taylor

Residential & Rack Startup and Commissioning (Part 2)

In this episode, Bryan and Max discuss commercial supermarket startup and commissioning with comparisons to residential HVAC work. Max, who has transitioned from residential air conditioning to supermarket refrigeration, shares his insights on the unique challenges and requirements of this specialized field. The conversation begins by emphasizing the critical importance of safety in supermarket […]

Solving & Preventing Oil Issues in Rack Refrigeration

In this HVAC podcast episode, hosts Bryan Orr and Matthew Taylor (refrigeration leader and trainer at Kalos Services) discuss oil management and considerations in supermarket refrigeration systems, with a focus on solving & preventing oil issues. They talk about the importance of stable system operation and how oil flows through both active and passive […]

Tips for Supermarket Rack Service w/ Trevor

Refrigeration Mentor Trevor Matthews returns to the podcast to share some of his tips for supermarket rack service. The supermarket refrigeration world is ripe with high-paying opportunities and uses similar skills that HVAC technicians use daily. Switching from HVAC to refrigeration will require a little bit more attention to some new components, especially controls […]

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

Chris Hughes and Steve Rogers from The Energy Conservatory discuss TEC’s TrueFlow technology and its crucial role in predicting airflow issues in the sales process, particularly for heat pump retrofits. They explain how the TrueFlow app helps contractors accurately measure both static pressure and airflow in existing systems, enabling them to predict whether proposed equipment changes will work effectively. This is especially vital when considering the growing trend of replacing gas furnaces with heat pumps, as the airflow requirements can differ significantly.

The conversation delves into a detailed example of replacing an 80% efficient 48,000 BTU furnace with a heat pump. They demonstrate how the airflow requirement would nearly double from 652 CFM to 1,200 CFM, potentially causing the static pressure to quadruple due to Fan Law 2 principles. This dramatic increase could lead to significant performance issues if not properly addressed during the system design phase. The experts emphasize that using TrueFlow during the sales process allows contractors to identify potential problems and necessary modifications before installation rather than discovering issues during callbacks.

The discussion also covers the ideal workflow for system assessment and sales, starting with customer comfort evaluation and proper load calculations. It’s important to reduce loads through envelope improvements when possible, particularly in cold climates where heat pump retrofits are becoming more common. Proper system sizing often means going smaller rather than larger, contrary to common industry practices, and the worst HVAC systems are often found in expensive custom homes rather than tract housing.

Key Topics Covered:

TrueFlow technology and its role in system forecasting
Fan Law 2 and its impact on static pressure when changing airflow
Heat pump retrofit challenges and considerations
The importance of accurate load calculations
Dual fuel systems as a solution for cold climates
The relationship between airflow and static pressure
Sales process integration of technical measurements
Common issues with oversized equipment
The importance of envelope assessment
Methods for reducing system loads
Proper duct sizing and modification strategies
The role of proper filter sizing and selection
The benefits of flat-rate pricing for duct modifications
Training resources and support available for TrueFlow users

Check out TEC’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@energyconservatory, and you can visit TEC’s website at https://energyconservatory.com/.

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