The Inspector's Journal Forums
Username:
Password:
Save Password


Join TIJ Forums
Lost Password?
Subscribe to TIJ's Newsletter

All Forums > Technical Forums > HVAC Forum >

Very old A/C system

Previous Topic: Unusual boiler Vent - Topic - Next Topic: Boiler Help needed New TopicReply to TopicShare Topic
Posted By  
View Profile
Ridgewood, NJ
Posts: 949
Joined: Sep, 2002
Currently offline offline
  
Thread Start First Page
[#1] Posted: 05/18/2012 - 7:27:14 PM
Reply with Quote
Here's a picture of an abandoned cooling coil inside the ducting of a warm air furnace. The cooling coil could be at least 50 years old. There was a drain pipe coming out of the duct marked "compressor water drain". Any exterior components are long gone. What kind of AC system was this?


Click to View

49.38 KB

Neal Lewis
www.totalhomeinspectionservices.com
View Profile
Chicago, IL
Posts: 9508
Joined: Dec, 2003
Currently offline offline
  
Very old A/C system
[#2] Posted: 05/18/2012 - 7:56:01 PM
Reply with Quote
An old water system...(?)....


Kurt in Chicago

"If I smell it, it goes in the report".............Phillip Smith...2012


View Profile
Gaston, Oregon
Posts: 8092
Joined: Dec, 2003
Currently offline offline
  
Very old A/C system
[#3] Posted: 05/18/2012 - 9:03:39 PM
Reply with Quote
It could have been a water source system or they could have just mislabeled the drain. Maybe they meant to write, "condensate drain."
Jim Katen, Oregon
www.amipdx.com
Posts: 663
Joined: Feb, 2004
Currently offline offline
  
Very old A/C system
[#4] Posted: 05/19/2012 - 06:45:50 AM
Reply with Quote
Probably a swamp cooler.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E...e_cooler

View Profile
Lafayette, Louisiana
Posts: 3859
Joined: Nov, 2009
Currently offline offline
  
Very old A/C system
[#5] Posted: 05/19/2012 - 07:49:18 AM
Reply with Quote
Water systems don't use expansion valves and evaporative coolers evaporate water directly into the air.

My guess is an ammonia/water absorptive system which used a pump/heat source or a refrigerant compression system like nowadays.

Neither would explain the label.

Long time no see Terry.

Marc

"If Guam gets too overpopulated, it might tip over."
Congressman Hank Johnson (D) GA
View Profile
Gaston, Oregon
Posts: 8092
Joined: Dec, 2003
Currently offline offline
  
Very old A/C system
[#6] Posted: 05/19/2012 - 08:28:14 AM
Reply with Quote
Quote: Originally posted by Marc

Water systems don't use expansion valves and evaporative coolers evaporate water directly into the air. . . .


The small single family type water-source AC system's I've seen do use expansion valves. On the evaporator side, they look just like an air to air system, but on the condenser side, the refrigerant runs through a coil of water. When the system is running, the water is running, so it needs a place to drain.

Jim Katen, Oregon
www.amipdx.com
View Profile
Lafayette, Louisiana
Posts: 3859
Joined: Nov, 2009
Currently offline offline
  
Very old A/C system
[#7] Posted: 05/19/2012 - 09:15:38 AM
Reply with Quote
Ok. By 'water system', I though was meant either chiller-like systems that use water to distribute cooling loads or hot water heating systems that use a heat exchanger in the airflow.

Marc

"If Guam gets too overpopulated, it might tip over."
Congressman Hank Johnson (D) GA
View Profile
Kenmore, WA
Posts: 15397
Joined: Dec, 2003
Currently offline offline
  
Very old A/C system
[#8] Posted: 05/19/2012 - 09:26:07 AM
Reply with Quote
Quote: Originally posted by Neal Lewis

What kind of AC system was this?


Click to View

49.38?KB
Who cares? I'd tell 'em to get that bio experiment pulled out of there or wear an oxygen tank and full-face mask while in the home. It'd be an over-the-top comment but I'm sure they'd understand the point I was trying to make.

That's just nasty!

ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike

   
Previous Topic: Unusual boiler Vent - Topic - Next Topic: Boiler Help needed New TopicReply to TopicShare Topic
Jump To:
The Inspector's Journal Forums © 2002-2013 all topics or replies that are posted on The Inspector's Journal
are copyrighted material of the original author that posted the topic or reply.
Go To Top Of Page 
 
Pick an RSS Feed

The views expressed on this website are the views of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the sponsors.
© 2002-2013 Copyright DevWave Software Inc.
Find a Home Inspector

Powered By: Snitz Forums 2000