Superheat is probably the most talked about, yet misunderstood, technical term used by technicians. Superheat on the system's low side can be divided into two types: evaporator superheat and total (or compressor) superheat.
Although some technicians are unsure of its operation and many customers have no clue it is even there - much less what it does - the economizer continues to fight a lonely battle for recognition as it saves building owners money on utility bills.
A feature story in the Dec. 1, 2003, issue of The News dealt with air conditioning system diagnosis. That article focused on airflow problems. This article concentrates on refrigerant flow problems.
Mini-splits are gaining prominence as a choice for those who want more control over indoor comfort. But for some contractors and technicians, the proper installation of a ductless mini-split is still a confusing and muddy process.