Basic Questions about AC

[goulbourne]

I'm currently completing a Home Inspection course at Durham College in Canada. As a Home Inspector we are required to have very basic knowledge of Household Central AC.
I have an assignment which is probably more about opinions than facts.
I'm looking for things like.
The most common type/manufacturer of compressors?
Is there a really bad Compressor?
Do most compressors have crankcaseheaters?
What are the most common expansion devices?
Is it common for residential systems to have sight glasses?
Are many units oversized?
How far away from a condenser does a clothes dryer vent need to be?
How do you determine if refrigerant is leaking without the use of tools?
Any insight into this would be greatly appreciated.

[Brian_UK]

I'm currently completing a Home Inspection course at Durham College in Canada. As a Home Inspector we are required to have very basic knowledge of Household Central AC.
I have an assignment which is probably more about opinions than facts.
I'm looking for things like.

The most common type/manufacturer of compressors?

How long is a piece of string? That question is like asking about the favourite car tyre.

Is there a really bad Compressor?

Nowadays, only a broken one.

Do most compressors have crankcase heaters?

It depends on the manufacturer, in cool/cold climates they are a good idea to preserve compressor life.

What are the most common expansion devices?

Thermostatic expansion valve or capillary tube.

Is it common for residential systems to have sight glasses?

I wouldn't think so, more fittings mean higher prices.

Are many units oversized?

Difficult to answer.

How far away from a condenser does a clothes dryer vent need to be?

You don't want any heated air blowing onto or being drawn into a condenser, a site inspection would answer that one.

How do you determine if refrigerant is leaking without the use of tools?

Pure guess work, poor performance.

Good luck with your studies and welcome to the forum.

[Toosh]

I'm currently completing a Home Inspection course at Durham College in Canada. As a Home Inspector we are required to have very basic knowledge of Household Central AC.
I have an assignment which is probably more about opinions than facts.
I'm looking for things like.
The most common type/manufacturer of compressors?
Is there a really bad Compressor?
Do most compressors have crankcaseheaters?
What are the most common expansion devices?
Is it common for residential systems to have sight glasses?
Are many units oversized?
How far away from a condenser does a clothes dryer vent need to be?
How do you determine if refrigerant is leaking without the use of tools?
Any insight into this would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, You find most house A/c`s will be York Carrier Lennox in Canada.

You will find most compressor failures are due to bad instalation practices.

Keep condensing unit as far away as possible from the drier vent.

Most leaks usually have oil around the spot but not always, but is a visual way to find them.

Brian has answered the rest of your questions

Good Luck Norm

[goulbourne]

How long is a piece of string? That question is like asking about the favourite car tyre.
Nowadays, only a broken one.
It depends on the manufacturer, in cool/cold climates they are a good idea to preserve compressor life.
Thermostatic expansion valve or capillary tube.
I wouldn't think so, more fittings mean higher prices.
Difficult to answer.
You don't want any heated air blowing onto or being drawn into a condenser, a site inspection would answer that one.
Pure guess work, poor performance.

Good luck with your studies and welcome to the forum.

Thanks Guys answers are exactly what I expected, just needed the pros to confirm most ofr what I was already thinking.