What to Look for in an Air Conditioning Supplier
Air conditioning suppliers are in a stressful situation, as ongoing shortages and price increases put them at a competitive disadvantage. To overcome these challenges, HVAC businesses can use several strategies.
For example, they can pre-order equipment and materials. This can reduce the risk of a project being interrupted by a lack of supplies.
What to Look for in an Air Conditioning Supplier
There are several key attributes to look for in an air conditioning supplier. First, they should be a reputable company with excellent financial standing. This includes being able to supply credit references from major vendors and suppliers as well as a strong track record of quality equipment. Also, they should provide a complete list of warranties, guarantees, and returns Air Conditioning Supplier policies. Finally, the supplier should offer a partner program that offers HVAC contractors discounts on wholesale products.
The right supplies can make or break an HVAC job. Whether it’s finding a niche part or buying in bulk, the wrong materials can slow down project completion and cause costly delays. In addition to knowing where to purchase HVAC equipment and supplies, it’s important for contractors to understand how they can improve their purchasing power by leveraging the collective bargaining power of the industry.
Many independent HVAC contractors lack the leverage to negotiate prices with regional or national suppliers on their own. However, this doesn’t mean they have to yield negotiating power. Instead, they can use an online platform like Raiven’s digital Marketplace or eProcurement system to aggregate their purchases with other HVAC contractors and facility engineers, giving them positive negotiating leverage against their supplier base. This helps them stay on budget and keep projects on schedule. Streamlined procurement through a supplier marketplace also makes it easier to meet governmental requirements and regulations for inventory tracking, work orders, and adjustments.
Enclosure Air Conditioners
Electrical enclosure air conditioners (sometimes called control panel air conditioners) provide a closed-loop cooling system to protect electronic components from excessive heat loads that can damage them and disrupt production lines. They are typically designed to operate in harsh industrial conditions such as extreme dust, washdown environments, corrosive chemicals and extended periods of motion or vibration. They are built with long-lasting electrical components, high quality motors and stainless steel construction to resist corrosion. They also feature a variety of special features such as a programmable digital controller, power on/off indicators and voltage status with high temperature alarm.
Enclosure air conditioners are available in a wide range of cooling capacities, voltage and NEMA ratings. They are rated to withstand ambient temperatures from -40°F to +150°F, and are suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Some are designed to meet specific NEMA requirements, such as NEMA 3R or NEMA 4X and are UL listed for hazardous locations.
Choosing the right size enclosure air conditioner is essential to ensure it will cool your equipment effectively. A unit that is too large will cycle frequently, causing the compressor to overheat and possibly damaging it. Conversely, a unit that is too small will struggle to maintain a consistent temperature during summer peaks and may not keep your equipment at its optimal operating temperature.
Enclosure Air Conditioner Parts
Enclosure air conditioners are specialized cooling systems designed to keep cabinet components within set temperatures. They offer closed-loop cooling to ensure that ambient air doesn’t get inside to expose the components to moisture and contaminants that can damage them.
They typically have a stainless steel or 316 stainless enclosure to resist corrosion in harsh environments. They can be mounted on a door or side panel and are optimized for high accuracy with low power consumption. Some models have an Eco-mode feature that intelligently stops and starts fans to reduce energy use and maintenance needs.
Other features may include icing protection and startup delay, connections for a door limit switch, and a status display to show when the unit is on or off. Some have coated evaporator coils to provide consistent performance, even in acidic or salty environments.
These cooling units can be installed indoors or outdoors and are available in a variety of NEMA ratings and configurations, including hazardous locations. They’re perfect for industrial electronics, electrical panel enclosures, telecommunications equipment and control centers. Other applications include waste water treatment, food processing and metal-working industries. Some manufacturers also make cooling units that can be used in marine environments. These units are made to withstand the harsh conditions in shipyards, oil and gas fields and other offshore settings. Some have a compact design to minimize footprint in limited space.
Enclosure Air Conditioner Installation
Once the enclosure air conditioner has been purchased and the mounting hole in the electrical cabinet has been cut, the installer can begin installing the cooling unit. When installing the unit, it is important to remember that the enclosure air conditioner must be upright at all times. If it is not, the oil in the compressor will drain into the refrigerant piping and could cause damage. The installer will need to re-lubricate the compressor after it has been installed and will need to wait 24 hours to do so.
Before re-lubricating the enclosure air conditioner, the installer will need to make sure that there are no obstructions in the enclosure. This will include making sure that there is not a blockage at the air inlet or outlet, and that the air ducts are free from kinks. This will allow the cooling unit to perform properly.
The installer will need to re-connect the power to the air conditioner after it has been Air Conditioning company installed. Once the unit is re-connected, it is important to verify that the temperature in the enclosure is at normal operating temperatures and that the air conditioner is working properly.
Performing regular maintenance on the enclosure air conditioner is important for optimal performance and reduced operational costs. Dirt, dust and humidity can wreak havoc on the equipment inside the control cabinet and increase maintenance costs. The installation of an air conditioning monitoring system will provide a cost-effective way to ensure that the enclosure air conditioner is functioning as intended and is not wasting energy due to dirty filters or excessive humidity in the cabinet.
