HVAC vacuum pumps are an essential tool for HVAC technicians and contractors, as they play a crucial role in removing air and moisture from the refrigerant system before charging it with refrigerant. A vacuum pump helps to ensure that the HVAC system operates efficiently and effectively, thus providing another happy customer indoor comfort and lower energy costs.
When looking for an HVAC vacuum pump, there are several key factors that you should consider to ensure you make the right choice. Here are some of the most important ones:
Oil Condition and Changes
Clean oil plays an important role in the performance of your HVAC vacuum pump, and is the single most important factor in how quickly a vacuum pump can remove all moisture and non-condensable gasses from an HVAC system. They should provide clear visibility of the condition of the oil, those with a backlit reservoir being the easiest to view and assess.
The best HVAC vacuum pumps also have technology that allows you to change oil without powering down and losing vacuum. The Fieldpiece VP67, VP87 and VPX7 with the RunQuick® oil change system are great examples, allowing for oil changes in less than 30 seconds with no mess.
Flow Rate: CFM
The vacuum flow rate is another critical factor to consider when purchasing a HVAC vacuum pump. The cubic feet per minute, or CFM, directly affects the time it takes to evacuate the air from the system, and the higher the CFM the faster the job can be completed given proper hose configuration. Most HVAC pumps flow rate vary between 2 and 10 CFM. As a rule of thumb, most residential homes require a 5-CFM pump. Systems with longer line sets require up to 10 CFM.
Pump Power
While pump power and CFM rate are related, they are worth considering separately. Most vacuum pumps have a power rating between 1/4 and 3/4 HP. This gives you an idea of how well the pump operates under real-world conditions.
Ultimate Vacuum Pressure
The ultimate vacuum pressure is the lowest pressure that the vacuum pump can achieve. The lower the pressure, the better the vacuum pump will perform in removing air and moisture from the system. Look for HVAC vacuum pumps with 15 microns ultimate vacuum or better to get the job done.
Size and Portability
The size and portability of the vacuum pump are also essential considerations given the variability of job sites technicians often work in. A vacuum pump that is lightweight and portable is easier to carry around, and does not always result in lesser performance.
Durability
A HVAC vacuum pump is an investment, and you want to ensure that it lasts for a long time. Look for vacuum pumps that are made from durable materials and that have a solid construction. Additionally make sure it has a wide base to help ensure it will not tip over or spill oil.
By considering these factors you can find the right vacuum pump for you and ensure you can service your customers effectively. Fieldpiece offers three levels of HVAC vacuum pumps. With 6 CFM, 8 CFM, and 10 CFM options that both feature the RunQuick® oil change system, and are lightweight and durable, you are sure to find a HVAC vacuum pump to meet your needs.
Without refrigerant gases, equipment such as commercial heat pumps and commercial refrigeration systems wouldn’t function.
But did you know that the refrigerant gas you choose can play a big role in how your equipment performs – and even your business’ impact on the planet?
Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the best refrigerant gas for your needs. But first…
Refrigerants – also known as working fluids – define the performance of equipment such as refrigeration systems and heat pumps.
They’re fluids that are compressed into liquids with very low boiling points.
When they absorb heat, they boil and turn into gas. As they release this heat, they then condense back into fluids.
This process is known as the vapour compression cycle. It’s what allows heat pumps to keep buildings warm, and what allows refrigerators to stay cool.
However, there are lots of different refrigerant gases, which all have their own unique characteristics. They largely fall into two groups – chemical (synthetic) and natural.
While the refrigeration sector has mostly transitioned to natural refrigerants, the heat pump industry still relies heavily on synthetic refrigerants – which pose significant problems for the environment.
These manufactured chemicals are harmful F-gases that have high global warming potential (GWP) – often in the thousands. They also release harmful ‘forever chemicals’ called PFAS into the environment, which pollute groundwater, poison wildlife and can even endanger human health.
When you’re choosing a refrigerant gas for your commercial equipment, there are lots of different factors to consider.
As well as your impact on the environment, the refrigerant you choose can affect how your equipment performs – and how much you pay to run it.
Here are some things to factor in.
Natural refrigerants tend to be particularly efficient in heat pumps, as they have no glide. This is a thermodynamic behaviour found in some synthetic refrigerants, which suits cooling and refrigeration but not heating.
In fact, in heat pumps, natural refrigerants achieve higher coefficient of performance (COP) at low ambients and high flow temperatures than synthetic refrigerants.
In this way, they’re a great way to use less energy and reduce your running costs. Which brings us onto…
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from CHT TECK.
Refrigerants come with different price tags. And of course, prices can vary and fluctuate over time.
As a general guide, natural refrigerants tend to have the lowest prices and are easily available.
As pure gases, they can also save you money if you experience refrigerant losses. This is because you can easily top up levels – unlike blends of gases, which require a full (and expensive) refrigerant replacement as they have a critical proportion of each constituent.
It’s also important to consider the GWP of your refrigerant.
Synthetic refrigerants like HFOs (hydrofluoro-olefins) and HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) commonly have an effect on global warming that’s much stronger than carbon dioxide, with a GWP of several thousand!
This is in contrast to natural refrigerants like propane, which has a GWP of just three (or less depending on the time considered) – as well as zero ozone depletion potential (ODP).
As you can see, choosing the right refrigerant is essential – especially if you’re installing a heat pump as part of a green initiative.
Another environmental factor to consider is whether your refrigerant of choice contains PFAS.
PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are often referred to as ‘forever chemicals.’ They don’t fully degrade, but instead pollute groundwater and accumulate in the environment.
In fact, according to Yahoo! News, almost half the tap water in the US contains PFAS, and they can be found in the blood of nearly every person in the country! These harmful chemicals have been linked to severe health issues in humans – including damage to the liver and an increased risk of some cancers.
The good news is that not all refrigerants contain PFAS. Natural refrigerants are clean and non-toxic, making them a no-regret choice.
No two businesses are the same. So, don’t forget to think about your own unique needs and which refrigerant gas can best suit them.
For instance, when it comes to heat pumps:
It’s your system designer’s job to understand your needs and determine the best fit for you. But as a rough guide, when it comes to natural refrigerants, propane is well-suited to medium temperature requirements and is easy to retrofit. Meanwhile, CO2 is a great fit for higher temperature requirements.
At Clade, we also offer low-noise heat pumps and ones that are as close to plug-and-play as a commercial heat pump can get.
As a business, you want to be sure that the equipment you invest in is future-proof.
Luckily, a heat pump should last for around 15 to 20 years. But it’s important to bear in mind that some synthetic refrigerants are subject to regulatory action.
HFCs are currently being phased out due to their devastating impact on climate change, while HFOs are the subject of litigation because of the PFAS they contain. In fact, French lawmakers have already voted to ban the use of PFAS and they could be banned by the EU as early as .
With this in mind, regulations restricting the use of such refrigerants is likely to increase in severity over time – especially as carbon footprints reduce and the proportion contributed by F-gases gets larger.
So, there’s a real chance that synthetic refrigerant heat pumps and refrigeration systems could become a stranded asset in the near future. On the other hand, opting for natural refrigerants could be seen as the best way to future-proof your commercial equipment.
The most commonly used refrigerants for commercial refrigeration include:
Although these refrigerants all have zero ozone depletion potential, their GWP varies hugely – with the highest being a whopping 3,922!
At Clade, we only work with natural refrigerants, as we believe they’re the no-brainer choice for both people and the planet.
With that in mind, the majority of our commercial refrigeration systems contain R744 – also known as CO2. This naturally occurring gas is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, non-flammable and has an incredibly low GWP of just 1.
At the moment, fluorinated hydrocarbons such as HFCs and HFOs are used as standard in commercial heat pumps.
These synthetic refrigerants commonly have a GWP of several thousand and pollute the environment with PFAS.
Luckily, there are alternatives to these ‘climate killer’ refrigerants.
At Clade, we design, manufacture and install heat pumps using the natural refrigerants CO2 (R744) and propane (R290) instead.
Propane is currently being heralded as the most environmentally friendly solution for heat pumps. But R290 heat pumps aren’t just great for the planet – they’re great for businesses too. After all, this refrigerant gas is cost-effective, high-performing and easy to retrofit.
CO2 is similar in that it’s clean, non-toxic and highly efficient. Remember, natural refrigerants achieve higher COP at low ambients and high flow temperatures than synthetic refrigerants. So, they really are a no-brainer for people and the planet!
As you can see, not all refrigerant gases are made equal.
At Clade, we believe that natural refrigerants like propane and CO2 are the future of commercial heating and cooling.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit refrigeration pump suppliers.