Servicing Heating and Cooling units in my condo

[branimal]

I have 4 heating and cooling units in my condo. Here’s my guess on how they work….

Cooling: Each of these units has a compressor for air conditioning.

Heating: There are hot water pipes running through each unit. During the winter the building’s boiler heats water and pumps it through these pipes. The four units in my apartment simply have a fan that blows on these pipes to circulate hot air.

Aside from vacuuming the units with my shop vac and replacing / vacuuming the filters, what else can I do to service these units?

Let me know if more pics are required.

Thanks








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[dogdog]

It doesn't look like there is a AC compressor in there (maybe it is behind something not in the pic but so far no.... ) .... the unit looks something similar to the FIL co-op heating/AC unit... it uses circulates water (hot / cold) to heat/cool... yours just look like its retrofitted with a new coil for a different purpose ( maybe to separate out the heating and cooling)

There is nothing much other than to clear the condensate drains... change the filters and keep it clean...

There should be one of those dual shaft blowers in there some where....as a fan.

 

[branimal]

There is nothing much other than to clear the condensate drains... change the filters and keep it clean...

I’m guessing the arrow indicates where the condensate drain is.... there’s a flat head screw there.

Do I just unscrew, attach some tubing and let the water drain? Or is there some bleeding procedure with the shut valves pictured?





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[dogdog]

that arrow looks like an air bleeder valve for a water recalculation system (aka hydronic system) They usually have an air bleeder in case air trapped preventing the water from circulating.... (there is a more technical term for it)
But not something you normally open....and it is definitely not a drain....


If drain is there it would be inside that unit (I think all those AC units have it, not 100% sure though)... the one FIL have is all in one... the building maintenance switches to circulating cold water for cooling or hot water for heating on a cycle annually, all in one unit, yours looks like that as well , except that you have an addition, probably to separate out for what ever reason.....

are you sure that unit have a AC compressor build in?

 

[nh_yota]

Usually those units are either self-contained PTAC units or they run off the chiller/boiler water from the building, but not both.

 

[dogdog]

Usually those units are either self-contained PTAC units or they run off the chiller/boiler water from the building, but not both.

Yup the one FIL have, building runs a chiller on the roof in the Summer, Utility company steam pipe in the Winter, Not sure how they switch it over, probably via a series valves or something. But definitely know it is gravity feed, so they don't have the bleeder valves, and if some one decide to shut the valves but the units is AC and Heat (no ac compressor build in, just a squirrel cage style fan), dependents on the time of the year. coincidentally, the outer shell looks just like OP's... just not the inside...

Maybe the OP have the electric one, then the building switch over to hydronic heat and left the AC function in that unit that would explain the extra evaporator on top(new addition)... I have seen electric units when I was living in snow town buildings.... that unit runs on electric and can do AC or Heat... sort of like the heat pump units...but it is mounted to the balcony and vented outside though.

Anyways, nothing much to these, other than filter change, make sure drains are not clogged if it has one, and the fins don't get crooked...

 

[TRWham]

It is common to have PTACs with DX cooling and hydronic heat from the factory. That is a McQuay unit that needs at least a good cleaning and inspection. Condensate is sprayed on the condenser coil and evaporated rather than draining out, so it would be a good idea to be sure everything is clean and the coil is not terribly corroded as the constant bath can encourage corrosion. There is also evidence of leaks on the hydronic piping that probably need some attention. Overall I would recommend you get a pro in to look at all 4 of them.

 

[branimal]

The cooling is definitely coming from the units themselves. There is no condenser / compressor for the building.




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[acmikee]

your running a 2 pipe system.
in the summer they run chill water and in the winter they run hot water. the only maintenance needed is to clean the coils and blower wheels and maybe cycle the ball valves. in the event the control valve fails and the valves don't hold you will need to freeze the pipes to replace it.
the arrow point to a vent. DO NOT TOUCH IT

 

[LS6 Tommy]

That's not a two pipe system. It's a McQuay PTAC and there is a compressor. Every school district in NJ has them somewhere. If you can access the fan motors they may have oil ports. The arrow is pointing to the air bleeder on the hot water coil. If you're not having a lack of heat due to low water flow issues, leave it be. They have been bought out by Daikin and so far they have not made any effort to support them in terms of parts.

Tommy

 

[TRWham]

The cooling is definitely coming from the units themselves. There is no condenser / compressor for the building.

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Yes, each unit has its own compressor, condenser and evaporator for cooling, but uses hot water from a central source for heat. Sorry for the use of jargon, but DX means "direct expansion," which is what most of us in the US have in our homes for AC. These units are also available with electric heat or as heat pumps.

 

[branimal]

Embarrassing question:

There’s a direction arrow for airflow on the new filter. Should the arrow face inside the home or outside?

I’m confused bc I think the fan is pulling air from inside the apartment and blowing on the heated pipes to generate heat.

Not sure where the AC air comes from. Seems inefficient to pull hot air from outside and cool it.







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[branimal]

That's not a two pipe system. It's a McQuay PTAC and there is a compressor. Every school district in NJ has them somewhere. If you can access the fan motors they may have oil ports. The arrow is pointing to the air bleeder on the hot water coil. If you're not having a lack of heat due to low water flow issues, leave it be. They have been bought out by Daikin and so far they have not made any effort to support them in terms of parts.

Tommy

I recall my old super opened the air bleeder and drained the water out when I had some heating issues when I first bought the place. I’ll leave well enough alone.

Thx



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[branimal]

As far as cleaning the AC coils it’s a bit of job. I think they are behind a grate on the outside of the building. And the grate is silicone to the brick exterior of the building. If I drop something I’m down sh*ts creak.

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[bobbyjean]

power the unit down at breaker.... i would wash the coils if possible...even the heating coil shown in picture....try to take a flashlite and check the underside of it...a cheap pump sprayer with a basic cleaner will help....if coils are loaded it may take a stronger cleaner...mr. foamy,renewz....they need to be rinsed off..those units look pretty old.

 

[branimal]

power the unit down at breaker.... i would wash the coils if possible...even the heating coil shown in picture....try to take a flashlite and check the underside of it...a cheap pump sprayer with a basic cleaner will help....if coils are loaded it may take a stronger cleaner...mr. foamy,renewz....they need to be rinsed off..those units look pretty old.

Are you saying to wash them from the outside toward the inside of my condo? Interesting... but won’t the pump sprayer get water into my apartment?

I think these units are from the mid80s.

Thanks


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[SALIV8]

Embarrassing question:

There’s a direction arrow for airflow on the new filter. Should the arrow face inside the home or outside?

I’m confused bc I think the fan is pulling air from inside the apartment and blowing on the heated pipes to generate heat.

Not sure where the AC air comes from. Seems inefficient to pull hot air from outside and cool it.







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I'm sure it is just recirculating the indoor air.

So point the arrow in the direction of airflow, from inside toward the coils.

Pull all the panels apart that you can and see what you have. With that louvre on the exterior, you def have a condenser in there somewhere (which needs airflow to cool it) and a seperate fan to pull or push the air across the coils.

So I'd start by checking the condenser coils which are probably filthy, the fan blades, the bearings, etc.

 

[SALIV8]

Oh and don't bring the dirty water into your apt. Wash from inside out and have a shop vac handy ready to **** up any excess water.

Turn off all electric and cover with plastic and be careful.