Could DeVAP HVAC be the Future?

Air conditioning is a costly expense for any home or business, especially in Southern California. More than half of our average yearly energy bills are derived from our HVAC systems. A new technology in air conditioning, however, could soon change the way we heat and cool buildings.

Desiccant Enhanced Evaporative (DeVAP) HVAC has the potential to dramatically cut energy costs. Some projections show potential energy reductions as much as 90% depending on where you live and your energy needs. Here is a look at how DeVAP works and the effect it could have on the energy industry.

How Does DeVAP Work?

In order for air to be cooled by a traditional HVAC, the humidity must first be removed. This is where much of the energy is used. Traditional air conditioners first absorb hot air, condense the air, and cool it before pushing it back into a room. This process of dehumidifying the air becomes extremely energy-consuming, especially in climates where the air is moist.

In DeVAP air conditioning, new evaporation technology is blended with a form of liquid desiccant to dehumidify the air. Desiccants use the water in the air to create a cooling effect. In DeVAP, energy is only used when the air is being dehumidified. The cooling that occurs during evaporation only amplifies the cooling effect.

Natural gas is expected to power most of the DeVAP units; however, solar and other alternative energies should also be able to integrate with this new technology.

The Benefits of DeVAP

As stated above, the most attractive benefit to DeVAP versus traditional HVAC is cost savings. With DeVAP, the savings will vary depending on your home or business, how much heating and cooling you use, and the air around you. Although a saving of 90% is on the high end of savings projections, many businesses in Southern California can count on seeing reductions of at least 40% in overall energy consumption.

Energy companies themselves will also see the benefits of DeVAP, as the technology could cut overall demand during peak hours of the day, meaning brownouts and blackouts could be reduced.

DeVAP is beneficial for the environment, too. Substituting traditional air conditioning’s method of dehumidification with DeVAP ensures harmful refrigerants and other chemicals used in traditional air conditioning are removed. That makes DeVAP the greener choice, as coolant chemicals used in standard air conditioning have been linked to damaging the ozone layer.

Another perk of DeVAP HVAC units is that they will be able to better control temperature and humidity, since each is treated separately. The air produced by DeVAP is also known to have less of an artificial feeling than the standard air conditioning. This means the air may feel less stuffy and more comfortable.

Developing DeVAP for the Future

DeVAP technology has the potential to have an enormous impact on the HVAC industry. Businesses and homeowners would have the opportunity to keep their homes cooler and keep the environment cleaner for a fraction of the cost.

It will likely be some time before DeVAP technology is widespread and widely used. It could be a fixture in more buildings in a few years, but it will take time to implement on a wider scale. The goal of DeVAP technology currently is to reduce the size and cost of HVAC. While it will be more efficient, making the units themselves as affordable as traditional air conditioners is still a long-term obstacle.

Developers will continue to refine the components until there is a version of a DeVAP HVAC unit that can become marketable. Commercial air conditioning will likely see the first applications of DeVAP, with residential units not too far behind.

Contact Bob Jenson Air Conditioning & Heating today for more information on DeVAP technology. Learn how it could fit your future heating and cooling needs.

THANK YOU Yelpers!!

After working hard to deliver consistent service for our customers here in San Diego, you guys had our backs by posting great reviews on Yelp. We got word today that we received the, 2017 “People Love Us On Yelp!” Award and we are very excited about it! Thanks all of you who took the time to share your great experience with the world. We appreciate you for being loyal customers and we will continue to be loyal to you. We look forward to a great summer and the challenge of keeping you comfortable thru the heat and beyond!

The Team at Bob Jenson A/C

You can read our Yelp Reviews here.

Before You Hire an HVAC Tech

When your home needs improvements in the heating, air conditioning, or ventilation systems, you need to hire an HVAC expert. Here are some tips to remember when you are looking for an HVAC technician.

Think about the work that needs to be done. This can help you determine what kinds of technician or company is best for the job.

Research review sites such as Yelp, Angie’s List to get feedback on professional companies and who other customers feel is the best in your area. This way you can separate the good, the bad and the ugly!

Be prepared to get quotes from at least three companies to compare what they can offer you.

Check how a company is ranked by the Better Business Bureau in your area. A high rating with no complaints shows the company operates in good faith with other customers and applicable laws.

Check out an HVAC Contractors website. This will tell you a lot about them.

Questions to Ask

Is the company licensed and insured? Ask to see proof of insurance to protect your home. Check with your state’s licensing board to ensure the company is licensed and certified for the proper tasks.

Does the company pull local building permits? This ensures your installation is safe and up to code.

Does the company take time to measure the heating and cooling needs of your home? With this information, a company would be able to choose the right size equipment to fit your needs.

What kind of training and education do their technicians receive? A good company has their technicians participate in ongoing education and training to ensure they are aware of new trends and technologies.

What are their guarantees and are they in writing? Companies offering a written warranty give you piece of mind as you have a document to support you if something goes awry.

What kinds of brands and systems will the company work with? This can give you a good idea of how well the company will work with what you need.

Did they listen to your needs and make recommendations accordingly? A good HVAC contractor will listen to you and then share with you the best system that meets your budget, comfort needs and homes requirements.

What rebates or discounts do they offer? Check out if a company offers bonus benefits such as rebates for installing appliances or discounts on future maintenance.

What is the cost? Or better yet what is the value of what your getting? It’s nice to get a great price but not at the sacrifice of a contractor cutting corners to get there. Here the lowest bid may not be the best option.

What kind of payment arrangements or financing plans does the company offer? HVAC systems are one of the most expensive systems you will invest into your home, these can offset the cost and make it affordable.

How long a company has been in business? Companies may claim many years in business because the “name” has been around that long but be sure to look up their business license to find the true years the current owners have been serving the community.

What maintenance or service plans does the company offer? For any long-term system care, you will benefit from having a service contract outlining what this company will do, when they will do it, and how they will do it. A maintenance contract usually come with other benefits like discounts on other services and labor warranties to back up the work done.

Hiring an HVAC expert does not have to be a difficult experience. The key is to narrow down who you’ll allow to work in your home. By asking the right questions, you can ensure you are choosing an effective company that will do the job right.

How an HVAC Technician Rolls

When Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) technicians arrive at a job site, they frequently arrive with a wide range of tools and materials. HVAC technicians service a lot of different places, including homes, apartment complexes, businesses, and schools. This means they can encounter a number of situations and needs when completing a service call. While each technician has their own preferences, here are some of the tools and items an HVAC technician might carry on the way to a job site.

A Look Inside

Some technicians will use a larger pickup truck while others will use a van. While vans can provide more storage space and built-in shelter from elements, some technicians prefer the feeling and comfort of driving a truck. Trucks can also be quieter than vans in transit, and boxes added to trucks can provide a more customized storage system.

The front part of the vehicle usually has items the technician will need handy for all trips. This includes needed papers such as manuals, invoices, and service agreements. These are important because they guide what should be done in a job. Having manuals for multiple companies is also important to make sure the technician can work on any system. This area might also have some personal comforts, such as snacks, water, knee protection, and a stereo system. Some technicians also use this place to keep a first aid kit for simple injuries. Technicians can also carry items that will promote their business, such as business cards. Some workers carry an iPad or tablet to maintain online communication.

Tools of the Trade

Technicians need a wide range of tools because in addition to HVAC work, they frequently have to work around issues such as plumbing and drywall. HVAC technicians will carry a collection of common hand tools for their jobs. These include screwdrivers, various nuts and bolts, hammers, wire cutters, pliers, and drills. Technicians also carry lights to illuminate hard-to-reach areas such as attics or under houses. Ladders in various heights are also helpful for an HVAC technician to have. Clamps are useful to hold pipes and other items in place, so a technician will carry clamps in various sizes.

For the HVAC-specific tools, the technician has a wide range of items to consider. Before fixing anything, a technician has to find out where the problem is and how bad it is. This is where a technician would use refrigeration gauges to measure levels of refrigerant fluid. Refrigerant scales are also used to measure the level of refrigerant levels. Technicians can also carry sensors that measure leaks and filtration. There are multiple refrigeration fluids out there, so a technician can carry a few kinds to fill up an HVAC system.

Some technicians will carry items such as Oxy-Acetylene torches to braze copper pipes in the HVAC system. HVAC unit drains can also use PVC pipes, so some technicians carry PVC connectors, pipes, and glue to add needed materials. To create valves or to join pipes, technicians will use a variety of fittings.

Because maintaining air quality is important, an HVAC technician can also carry extra filters to replace ones that at damaged or dirty. There may be other parts that need cleaning, so there are cleaning materials a technician can use. These can include rags, soapy water, degreasers, and protective equipment such as disposable coveralls.

A Look Behind the Scenes

Depending on the type of job an HVAC technician is doing, there can be quite a lot of issues to consider. These workers encounter numerous problems they have to overcome, including the tasks that can get in the way. By carrying a wide variety of tools, an HVAC technician can face multiple problems and can confidently serve customers.