Installing the Water-Cooled HVAC System
Jeff Akers of The Air Authority explains how heat is recovered from the water that flows to each of the units in the high-rise apartment to fuel the heat pump in this Miami condo. The water is received, the heat is rejected from the water and into the pump, then the water is sent back to the water tower for cooling and redistribution. The unit is housed in a utility closet that will be concealed by a louver door to provide the only air return for the HVAC system. The ductwork in the building must be fiberglass or metal, rather than flex, and is covered with mastic at all seams to prevent leakage as mandated by Florida energy policy. Akers then shows Bob the Energy Star thermostat that operates without wires or mercury, plugging right into the system at the wall. The thermostat features a five-minute delay to prevent short-cycling and resulting damage to the system. It also has a fan-only setting for cooler days. All settings can also be locked to avoid tampering, a feature that is critical for a vacation getaway that is frequently unoccupied.
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