In the Spotlight brings different HVAC controls into the limelight and offers you a generous discount. This week we are featuring the Trane Tracer ZN517 Unitary Controller.
The Trane Tracer ZN517 gives you digital control similar to a wall thermostat. It can operate within a Trane Integrated Comfort system or as a stand-alone unit. The ZN517 is compatible with the following HVAC systems:
2 heat/2 cool rooftop unit with optional economizer control
4 cool rooftop unit optional economizer control
2 stage heat pump with optional economizer and auxiliary heat control
Split system
At Value Controls our goal is to provide you with affordable refurbished HVAC controls so you can focus on your mission and not your HVAC equipment. All of our products come with a 6-month warranty so you can rest assured that your purchase is protected.
Get yours now for $299.00, that is $70 in savings!
In the Spotlight brings different HVAC controls into the limelight and offers you a generous discount. This week we are featuring the Reliable Controls Mach-Air VAV Controller.
The MACH-Air™ controller is a programmable, 6 input, 5 output, DDC controller and shaftmount damper actuator, combined together into one device to meet the needs of variable air volume (VAV) control. The MACH-Air™ controller features on-board velocity measurement, a 35 in-lb Belimo actuator, and three userspecified universal inputs/outputs.
Get yours now for $280.00, that is $95 in savings!
One of your HVAC controls has reached the end of its life, what do you do next?
You usually have 2 options:
Call a mechanical contractor to come out to the campus, evaluate the situation, order the part, and then install it once it arrives, or
Personally order the appropriate part from the manufacturer or some other source, install it or have a contractor install it.
With either option, there is an inevitable waiting period before the HVAC equipment is back to full operation. During that time, the spaces served by that unit will be unavailable to use without enduring uncomfortable conditions. It’s hard to control when a part will give out, but there are some ways to mitigate the pain caused by these situations. The easiest of these is to keep replacement controls on hand for the most common control parts at the facility. Read on for some of the reasons why this is important.
The Importance of Comfort
As a building operator, one of the highest priorities is the comfort of the building occupants. When a unit is down because of a bad controller, repairing that unit can quickly become a high priority. The Society for Human Resource Management references a study in their blog that shows the effects of temperature on employee productivity. The study, conducted by CareerBuilder, concludes that 22% of people claim that a workplace that is too hot made it difficult to be productive and 11% said the same about being too cold. A broken controller can leave your workplace and its occupants very uncomfortable. But with replacement parts on hand, the amount of time occupants are uncomfortable can be cut down significantly. A contractor can install the part on their first trip to the site, or you can personally install it.
Protect your Investment
Building HVAC systems are usually a large financial investment. Large portions of facility budgets are spent maintaining and protecting this investment. Keeping the systems running as long as possible and in top condition is so important. The Cooling Company blog explains that if a controller is on it’s way out, it will start to show signs that can potentially be very costly. These include the system running continuously, inaccurate temperature readings which leads to discomfort, or a completely unresponsive system. Replacing the controller is the cost-effective solution. But what if that part you need is no longer manufactured or is too expensive for your budget? Often the only option you are given is to make another large investment and upgrade the system. Save your investment by finding discontinued or hard to find parts at an affordable price from a source like Value Controls and keep them on hand to avoid costly repairs.
Time is Money
When you need to get a replacement part quickly, it may end up costing more than anticipated because of expedited shipping costs. To avoid this, shop around periodically for parts that are likely to wear out and when you find a good deal on them buy more than you need at the time. This not only saves you money in the long run; it also gives you peace of mind.
Your controllers and HVAC parts are going to falter at some point and need to be replaced. Having a good supply of replacement parts will help you be better prepared when the time comes.
In the Spotlight brings different HVAC controls into the limelight and offers you a generous discount. This week we are featuring the Alerton TX-450 TUX Controller.
The Alerton TX-450 is a free-programmable unitary controller with 4 Universal Inputs and 5 Digital Outputs. It uses TUX communication protocol in Alerton Envision for Ibex systems.
Programmable thermostats have recently become a hot commodity with homeowners and business owners alike. But are they really worth all the hype?
Let’s look at three reasons why you should definitely invest in a programmable thermostat for your home or business!
Reason #1: Save Money!
The most compelling reason to install a programmable thermostat is the positive effect it has on your wallet. It’s not likely we will see a change in the upward trend of energy prices. A programmable thermostat can reduce your energy usage and lower your monthly energy bill when used properly. So let’s look into how to properly set up and use all capabilities of your new programmable thermostat.
Programmable thermostats allow you to program a schedule that fits your lifestyle. The Honeywell 7-day Programmable Thermostat provides 4 programmable time periods for each day of the week. Set these time periods to correspond with when you will be leaving and returning to the building with appropriate temperatures for occupied and unoccupied times. According to Energy.gov, “turning your thermostat back 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day” can save you 10% on heating and cooling a year. Even better, the Wi-Fi model lets you do all this from your smartphone, tablet, or computer!
Reason #2: Improve Comfort
Programmable thermostats provide more accurate space temperature readings which in turn increases the comfort level of the space it is serving. High Quality Heating and Air has been serving the Tallahassee, Florida area for 17 years. In their blog they state that, “Older thermostats are often very inaccurate when setting and reading the indoor temperature. Settings that are off by even a few degrees can degrade comfort and raise utility costs.” (Check out their blog here.)
Once scheduled, the programmable thermostat will maintain that schedule with the corresponding temperatures until you decide to change them. Nobody likes to get off the couch during the game or get out of bed to adjust the temperature. Programmable thermostats eliminate the need to physically walk to the thermostat anytime you want to make a change. Set the programs one time for each season and forget about it. Upgrade to a Wi-Fi programmable thermostat, and make adjustments from your phone whenever you desire.
Reason #3: Protect your HVAC System
Whether you just installed your system or it is getting along in years, keeping it running efficiently will extend its life. Setting a schedule in the programmable thermostat allows the unit to run only when necessary to keep the space comfortable when it is occupied rather than trying to maintain a constant temperature 24/7. This reduces wear and tear on the unit. There is often a misconception that turning the thermostat temperature setting down extremely low will make the space cool down faster. But according to an article by Energy.gov, “Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and, therefore, unnecessary expense.”
If you are thinking about upgrading your HVAC equipment because of poor performance, first consider replacing the thermostat with a programmable one. Gaining more precise control of the equipment can help extend its life and allow you to better prepare for purchasing a new unit in the future. The programmable thermostat will transition to your new unit when it is installed and will keep that unit running at optimum efficiency.
Things to Keep in Mind
Buying and installing a programmable thermostat is a a great investment for your wallet and your comfort. As mentioned above, the Honeywell 7-day Programmable Thermostat is a great option for your home and business. Some programmable thermostats such as the NEST Learning Thermostat have the ability to “learn” your habits and adjust the temperature based on detecting occupancy in the space. It offers Wi-Fi connectivity so you can control it from any device. We do, however, recommend turning off the “learning” function and setting your own schedule that fits your lifestyle.
Finally, installing programmable thermostats is simple; no need to call a contractor. Once you decide which programmable thermostat is right for you, take a picture of the wiring of your current thermostat, remove it from the wall, and install your new thermostat in its place. Keep in mind that the majority of programmable thermostats require a “C” wire to install properly. Take a look at the manual for your new thermostat to see what features it has to offer and how to properly install it.
Nothing in your house affects your comfort more than your heating and cooling systems. Yet unless the heater conks out during a blizzard or the air-conditioning goes on the fritz in the middle of a heat wave, most of us pretty much ignore our heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
When not kept in shape, even the best heating/cooling system can cost you by wasting energy. How much? Depending on how you heat and cool your home and the climate of the area you live in, clogged filters, dirty thermostats, sooty flues, leaky ductwork, and unlubricated fan motors can reduce heating and cooling efficiency by up to 25 percent!
Some of these maintenance tasks are simple, while others require a trained pro. You’ll also need an HVAC contractor if your system is at the end of its useful life. Here are some tips for dealing with your HVAC equipment and the pros that service it.
Routine HVAC Maintenance
The good news is that most systems don’t require much attention.
Heat Pump
A heat pump only needs a yearly service call by a HVAC technician who will:
Check the belts, and replace them if needed.
Check and replace the filters.
Oil any moving parts.
Inspect the wiring.
Gas-Fired Furnace
A gas-fired, forced-air heating system has simple requirements, too. Furnace filter should be changed every month or two during heating season, and the circulating fan oiled once a year. Call in a pro every other year to check the:
Heat exchanger
Flue
Ducts
Adjust the burner
Oil-Fired Boiler
An oil-fired boiler requires annual maintenance by a HVAC pro to:
Clean the flue
Change the fuel filter
Clean and adjust the fuel jets
Air Conditioner
Air conditioning units are a little less maintenance intensive. At the beginning and end of each cooling season, you should:
Clean or replace the air filters
Vacuum out the unit
Lubricate the motor
If the unit isn’t cooling properly, have the refrigerant pressure checked.
Arrange for service calls before the start of heating or cooling season. You’ll get better attention and have more flexibility when scheduling the appointment.
What to Look for When Hiring a HVAC Company
When hunting for a company to maintain your system, look for one that designs, installs, and services the type of system you have. Full service companies also tend to be up to date on the latest advances in the field.
Besides checking that liability insurance and workers’ compensation policies are in force, ask for recommendations or check with neighbors, friends, and family who have used the company over several years. Find out:
How well did the system run under the company’s care?
Did the technicians leave the working area clean?
How quickly did the contractor respond to emergencies?
Were the service people punctual when you called with a problem?
A quality provider will have an emergency number that’s staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and enough technicians to respond when the weather is awful and the calls pile up.
Programmable thermostats have recently become a hot commodity with homeowners and business owners alike. But are they really worth all the hype? 
Nothing in your house affects your comfort more than your heating and cooling systems. Yet unless the heater conks out during a blizzard or the air-conditioning goes on the fritz in the middle of a heat wave, most of us pretty much ignore our heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
Value Controls Blog 