As we all know, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is greatly affecting our businesses, schools, communities and daily activity throughout the country.

These are uncertain times in the world, but we want to assure you that Tudi Mechanical Systems remains open for business and is here and ready to continue to support your needs. Tudi is considered an “Essential” business and will be available for business as usual for all your HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing needs.

Since safety has always been our top priority, we are following the latest CDC guidelines to ensure our employees, customers and your businesses and homes are all safe and protected. 

We also understand that your HVAC systems play a critical role in controlling and maintaining indoor air quality.  We have a number of recommended indoor air quality solutions to help provide safe and clean air in your facilities and homes to ensure your employees and families can breathe easy.  While COVID-19 specifically has not been made available for testing at this time, these solutions are proven to significantly reduce a wide variety of pathogens and similar viruses to ensure cleaner air for everyone.

For over 30 years, we have been committed to servicing our customers, even in the most challenging of times. We understand the next several weeks will be difficult for everyone, but we will get through this together.

Stay safe and healthy.

Thermoelectric systems are based on the scientific phenomena called the Peltier Effect. According to this phenomenon a temperature gradient is set up when an electric current is passed through the junctions of two conductors. Due to this effect heat is deposited in one junction and cooling occurs in the other junction.

Thermoelectric systems are mainly used in cooling devices but it also finds application in heating devices. In both cases DC voltage is necessary.

Use Of Thermoelectric Systems In Heating

Thermoelectric systems are used for heating under the circumstances listed below:

• If the target temperature of the heating device is lower than the melting point of the soldering material which is typically around 138°C. If special solders are used then the temperature will be around 260°C.
• If a single component of the device is responsible for heating and cooling
• If the system is equipped with a thermoelectric cooling device
• If the system requires 100% heating efficiency within a tight power budget

Use Of Thermoelectric Systems In Cooling

Thermoelectric systems are used for cooling under the circumstances listed below:

• If the amount of heat that has to be displaced is lower than the capability of a normal compressor based system
• If the system requires an environment that is not affected by position or orientation
• If the object that has to be cooled is placed in isolation
• If the exact required temperature is not achievable using thermostatic temperature control

Benefits of thermoelectric systems

Thermoelectric systems offer a number of advantages as mentioned below:

1. Moving parts are absent

A thermoelectric unit does not have any moving parts. This makes the unit maintenance free.

2. Compact

The thermoelectric module is small and light weight. The size of a thermoelectric cooling system is much smaller than a traditional mechanical system.

It is also possible to design the unit to meet the specific requirements of different design systems.

3. Heating and cooling modules are present within the same system

The thermoelectric cooler is capable of either cooling or heating the system based upon the polarity of the DC power applied.

Due to this feature, it is not required to have 2 separate modules for heating and cooling purposes.

4. Exact temperature control

It is possible to set precise temperature using a closed loop circuit. It even allows changing temperature in the range of +/- 0.1°C.

5. High reliability

Due to the solid state construction, thermoelectric systems are very reliable. Under ideal conditions, the life of such a system is generally more than 200,000 hours.

6. Eco friendly

Traditional cooling systems use chloro-fluro carbons that are harmful to the environment. But thermoelectric systems do not use or emit any harmful gases.

Applications of thermoelectric systems

Thermoelectric systems have a wide variety of applications.

• It is used in many defense technologies as it can withstand extreme conditions.
• As thermoelectric systems are not affected by orientation, it is used in many space equipments that operate under zero gravity.
• It is used to maintain viscosity in many ink jet printers.
• It is used in laser diode arrays.

While having a Pittsburgh HVAC technician a phone call away is always wise, there are still some do-it-yourself options available to make sure your home’s furnace and air conditioning unit are performing up to par. Follow along as our team of professional technicians walks you through the steps to identify and repair sources of energy-wasting issues in your home’s HVAC unit.

DIY HVAC Inspection Tips from Tudi Mechanical Systems
Inspecting the Furnace

Even if you stay up on top of DIY inspections, it’s important that you have your furnace professionally inspected and repaired at least every other year if not more. A professional Pittsburgh HVAC technician can assist you in extending the life of your furnace by removing dust from air tubes, cleaning the burners and ensuring that your unit is operating safely and at maximum efficiency.

In between inspections, take some time every few months to check your furnace filter about once a month. Changing out a dirty filter can pay off huge in the life of your unit and your home’s utility costs. Whenever you are installing a fresh filter, make sure the air-direction indicator is pointing in the proper direction to make the most of your unit’s efficiency.

Cleaning the Ductwork

While often ignored in favor of maintaining the HVAC system itself, your home’s ductwork should be routinely checked in order to keep your home running efficiently. Duct cleaning can be completed either on your own or with a professional’s help. Clean, well-sealed ductwork can ensure that no air flowing through your home is being lost along the way.

Auditing Your HVAC System’s Efficiency

Heating and cooling combine for almost half of your home’s total energy consumption, so performing a routine HVAC audit may just be the key to helping you save money. Start off by making a list of where you feel the drafts are in your home. After closing off different areas of the home and shutting down combustion appliances, light some incense sticks and turn on your home’s exhaust fan or a large window fan to circulate air throughout the home.

Any drafts will cause the plume of the smoke to waver or flow in the direction of an air leakage, helping you determine where energy is being lost in every room of the home. Additionally, be sure to check for air movement around outlets, wall switches, storm windows and doors to help cut back on your home’s utility costs.

If you’re looking for ways to save throughout your home, get in touch with the full-service technicians from Tudi Mechanical Systems. Under our Home Comfort Plan, your home is sure to be comfortable all year round, as our Pittsburgh HVAC technicians, plumbers, electricians and more work all year round to help you keep your home in tip-top shape. Call a Tudi technician today for your free home energy estimate, and discover the ways that we can help you save this season!