Economizers: Fundamentals (1 of 4)

This is the first in a multi-part series on economizers. This video explains how a typical economizer functions. Subsequent videos deal with the newer style Honeywell JADE controller and its setup.

[@cmonsalv]

Impressive video; clear HVAC field related -otherwise complex- concepts explained for all audiences. Great job.

[@Abby-Chi]

Ryan, good job! We need more of those video lessons. Keep it up!

[@ryanhoger1]

Thank you! That was just video 1 of 4 coming up on this topic in the next few weeks.

[@gideonakegwure2654]

Well explained... needed to picture the system. The video explanation was the icing. Thanks

[@anti-anti-meatperson8178]

Thanks for the video it really helps a lot!

[@nakiapringley5391]

Great video 💯💯💯💯

[@coolbreeze1774]

Good job ! 👍🏼👍🏼 Thank You !

[@vnesmuonnam]

Thank you

[@justinmann36]

Great job!

[@luisbrenes7039]

Good video! But You need to get the camera or video tape the economizer control box closer so we could see the the wiring terminals matching your explanation! Thank You! Ryan

[@lanceorlando5657]

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[@derekenzo5083]

@Lance Orlando instablaster :)

[@lanceorlando5657]

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[@lanceorlando5657]

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[@derekenzo5083]

@Lance Orlando No problem xD

[@robsyardley]

Nice job, as always Ryan. One little error: At about 1:20 you say that the outside is on the FAR side of the module you've removed. At about 1:50 and 4:10 you say that the outside is on the CLOSE side of the module.

[@TECTubefilms]

Yes. Ryan said it incorrect at 1:20. When you see him, give him a hard time about that error... we know we will. LOL

[@robsyardley]

@@TECTubefilms in his defense, the thing looks different when it is not in the box. He did, however, have the barometric dampers to give him a clue about the direction of the airflow...:-)

[@calimbalopez5560]

Great video

[@mikeclark1756]

Great job. Thank you

[@a-aron2276]

Coming from HVAC in pharma i was wondering what the hell an economiser was, the second he said fresh air I was like oh right its just a scaled down mixing, dump and fresh air box.

[@airmechanical7163]

Great video.

[@mikefreedom5612]

Thanks

[@anthonyrodriguez243]

Thanks for the videos

[@williamswan7779]

this was helpful thanks

[@mdraseluddin5514]

Hi, thank you for your nice demo. Is the economizer a separate unit from the RTU? When the compressor is running, the RTU will suck the air using a fan (or blower may be) right? But, when the economizer is running, how does it deliver the air inside? Is the same fan (or blower maybe) that sucks the air for normal cooling mode draw the air for the economizer as well? If not, is there any forced fan for delivering fresh cool air during the economizer mode?

[@TECTubefilms]

The economizer is part of the RTU. It is an appendage on the side of the unit. The same blower fan is used for DX cooling, economizer, and heating.

[@sidtrex1]

Thanks Good leanings

[@nebilboot9758]

Where do you guys offer classes for training, courses.. ?

[@TECTubefilms]

For classroom and lab classes, most are in Melrose Park, IL, but we also offer them at other Chicago area locations and occasionally in IN, WI, MI, and MO. And we also have online webinars and recorded webinars. All can be found at tecmungo.com/training/

[@nakiapringley5391]

More informative videos please

[@ffllaakkii]

My carrier ac/heater rooftop, i have noticed that during the winter whenever the set temperature is reached, the unit stops and cold air comes in from one of the vents that takes the air out whenever the unit is running. Not sure how to stop that, are these economizers bringing that cold air in or any suggestions on what should i do? Thank you!

[@TECTubefilms]

You do not stop that. That amount of air is your code required ventilation air. It is, however, very possible that the installer left this at the factory setting and that setting is more than your specific application requires. The blueprints will tell you the required ventilation CFM from outside air for each RTU and you can change the minimum position on the economizer controller until it matches that amount.

[@ffllaakkii]

@@TECTubefilms we are on a strip shopping center and our neighbor next door has the same unit , his doesn’t blow any air when they unit is off , ours does a lot. I just thought j’ll have to do something about it!

[@TECTubefilms]

@@ffllaakkiiYours is in compliance with the ventilation code and theirs is not

[@mharoonfrough719]

If u have bad economizer will it cut 24 volt to the Tstat

[@TECTubefilms]

Short answer is no because the economizer does not power the stat. For the longer, and more accurate answer of "maybe it could," we guess it depends on what you mean by a "bad economzier." What specifically is wrong with the economizer in this example? If the economizer and stat are sharing a 24v transformer as they often are and the economizer had a wiring issue that smoked the transformer, then yes 24v power would drop to the stat.

[@kenton6098]

How is intake and exhaust handled if there is no economizer?

[@TECTubefilms]

Do you mean intake for ventilation fresh air? If you do not have an economizer, you can still bring it in through the RTU with either a 2-position motorized damper or a fixed position damper. You can also bring the code required ventilation air in external to the RTU.

[@kenton6098]

@@TECTubefilms Yes, thank you!

[@elangz9201]

Sir whats the difference between RTU and economizer?

[@TECTubefilms]

RTU stands for a Roof-Top Unit, which is packaged system (fan, evap coil, condenser coil, compressor, and heat system all in a single box). And economizer is an accessory to a RTU and is installed to be able to utilize "free outside air" for cooling purposes when conditions are appropriate.

[@elangz9201]

@@TECTubefilms so what will happen if an RTU is not equipped with an economizer? Can it function to pass already cold air from the outside to provide bonus cooling just like when its equipped with an economizer? A regular RTU is already equipped with thermal sensors right to read certain outdoor air conditions right?

[@TECTubefilms]

@@elangz9201 No, if there is no economizer, there is no free cooling mechanism (controls, sensors, and damper) to pass extra cool air from outside. Therefore when the thermostat wants cooling, the RTU would have to run the compressors and a much higher operating cost than a system that was equipped with an optional economizer.

[@elangz9201]

@@TECTubefilms okay sir last question, so if the system wants the supply air to a certain room at 18 degrees celcius and the outdoor air is already at 18 degrees celcius with the right amount of humidity (assumed the RTU is not equipped with an economizer), why should the compressor keep working to cool the air instead of just passing the air? Thank you for the past answers sir, you're truly communicative towards everybody here 😁

[@TECTubefilms]

@@elangz9201 First, your example is assuming 100% outside air, which is very seldom the case. A traditional RTU is 10-20% OA and the rest is return air. So when your 18C OA mixes with the 25C return air, it will be something like 22-23C when it is reaches the evaporator coil. Second. traditional constant volume RTUs are control based on space temperature via a thermostat. They do not measure or control supply air temp, nor do they ever measure humidity. So if the room setpoint is 23C, but the actual room temp is 25C, the thermostat will tell the compressor to run. The scenario that you are describing... using the cool and not humid OA to pass straight thru as the supply air... is exactly what an economizer does. You need the economizer (controller, sensors, and damper) to do what you describe.

[@xweiliable]

i have a preschool and I need to have the economizer open at all time to get fresh air. how do I overwrite economizer to get it to open?

[@TECTubefilms]

Is your cooling system designed to be able to handle all of that outside air? A standard RTU cannot handle 100% outside air for ventilation. At best, you will have horrible indoor humidity issues and at worst you will have humidity issues plus hot spaces in the summer and frozen pipes in the winter. To answer your question you can simply increase the minimum ventilation position of the economizer from its current setting of 5, 8, 10, 15, or 25% up to 100%. But we highly recommend you to NOT do that. That is not what an economizer is meant to do. You will regret doing what you are asking.

[@yamilabritos5036]

pelado delorto!!!

[@stevewojton5172]

That's cheating.... Go buy a motorcycle.

[@Alex-yk6he]

Thank you