Future of HVAC and industry supply issues.

[ultrarunner]

I’ve been thinking about the future of HVAC and the supply issues we’ve been facing lately. The industry seems to be in a pickle with all these delays and shortages. I believe a shift towards more energy-efficient systems is on the horizon. People are more conscious about their energy use, which is excellent!

Yes if it really is a net gain.

I say this looking at my third new Heat Pump system in 21 years… ouch!

I then think back to friends with central air installed in the 80’s and still very reliable.

 

[Sigarms]

I never in a million years would have thought that a brand new unitary equipment refrigerant being used by most of the manufacturers sold in the USA would ever cost more per lb than R22.

 

[ultrarunner]

Time for propane refrigerant?

7 years ago I bought a sub $200 stand alone ice maker for the clinic nurse’s station not expecting much.

It was Costco and since my 6k ice machine was again down I jumped on the cheap Costco ice maker…

It uses propane and has never run out of ice bag ice.

 

[Sigarms]

Time for propane refrigerant?

7 years ago I bought a sub $200 stand alone ice maker for the clinic nurse’s station not expecting much.

It was Costco and since my 6k ice machine was again down I jumped on the cheap Costco ice maker…

It uses propane and has never run out of ice bag ice.

The industry was crapping bricks with the current selection of "mild flammable" new refrigerants that hit the market the last year coming into this year

Somewhere here I believe, I pointed on propane has been used for years by refrigeration guys.

Seriously, there is a shortage nationally on the new refrigerant due to various reasons (excuses a lot of guys call them LOL).

 

[arto98607]

Not trying to change the subject - this kind of fits in to OP's "Future of HVAC" topic I hope.


Anyone here with information or personal experience regarding the longevity of variable speed compressor ground source heat-pumps?

Our ground source heat-pump has served us well for many many years and hopefully will many more.

I like the variable speed compressor idea, and both ClimateMaster and WaterFurnace are offering them but not sure of any other brands?

Just curious of their longevity.

 

[ultrarunner]

Weekend Work

Air Handler Replacement for operating rooms…

New unit uses already obsolete 410 refrigerant…

The old unit has been in service 30 years 24/7 with a Baldor motor only turned off for belt changes.

Service consisted of a shot of bearing grease every 30 days for 30 years… made in USA

 

[ultrarunner]

Still running about a dozen 1995 Carrier Gas Packs on the roof…

Just replaced a 5 ton with a Bryant as Bryant was available… remove and replace $9500

 

[ultrarunner]

Daikin… I have one package unit on the roof and it’s the newest not counting the Bryant recent install…

Maybe I got a bad one but it was advertised as a direct Carrier replacement but it was not… had leaking coil and bad compressor under warranty but took months to get the coil from
Asia.

Staff reported a odd sound last week which I traced to the Daikin

Bad blower shaft bearing the cause.

Note the shaft is 1” dia. and the groove pictured worn into the shaft is from the bad bearing.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I’m looking at replacing 18 Carrier rooftop gas packs plus a 40 ton 100% outside air buildup system all circa 1995

The costs are staggering as are the lead times.

It use to be simple but with refrigerant mandates and energy standards and the move away from any gas comfort heating it seems the future is Heat Pumps…

I have 3 York Heat pumps that were tenant installed and maintained but compared to the old Carrier Gas Packs the Heat Pumps have been anything but reliable and required much larger circuits to handle increased electricity demand.

Anyone care to venture as to smart navigating the future of HVAC?

I've had very good experience with the Mitsubishi Hyper Heat series. My single bit of advice is to always install silicon gaskets in the flare junctions as doing so greatly reduces the chances of leaks.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M81F1BD?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_10&th=1

 

[KennyG]

Just had to have some old units repaired and recharged at our church. R-22 was billed at about $500 per lb for less than 2 lbs, $225 per pound for over 2 lbs. Are we headed to a point where A/C is not affordable.