CHAPTER IV

AIR CONDITIONING

History

In 1902, the first modern electrical air conditioning unit was invented by Willis
Carrier in Buffalo, New York.

The first air conditioner, designed and built in Buffalo by Carrier, began
working on 17 July 1902.

Air Conditioning

 Air conditioning(often referred to as A/C or AC) is the process of altering the

properties of air (primarily temperature and humidity) to more comfortable
conditions, typically with the aim of distributing the conditioned air to an
occupied space to improve thermal comfort and indoor air quality .

 Air conditioning is defined as a process which cools (or heat) , clean,

circulates, freshen air, and controls its moisture content simultaneously.

 Most of the air conditioning, particularly in India and such other countries, is
about cooling : i.e. removal of heat from an enclosed space.

 In the most general sense, air conditioning can refer to any form of technology
that modifies the condition of air(heating, cooling, (de-)humidification,
cleaning, ventilation, or air movement).

Properties of Air

1. Temperature
(Dry & Wet bulb temperature, Wet bulb depression, dew point temperature )

2. Pressure

3. Humidity ratio

4. Relative humidity

5. Specific volume

6. Density

7. Enthalpy

8. Degree of Saturation
Human Comfort

 The four atmospheric condition which affect human comforts are-

1. Temperature
2. Humidity
3. Air purity
4. Air movements

 An air conditioner controls the above factors for us to achieve human comfort.

 Most people (90 %) are comfortable when the air temperature is between 18-
22°C and the %sat is between 40-65%.

Uses of Air conditioning

1. Air conditioning of medium- sized and large buildings

2. Industrial air conditioning

(Environmental laboratories, printing, textiles, precision parts, photographic
products, computer rooms, power plants)

3. Residential air conditioning

4. Air conditioning of vehicles

5. Food storage and distribution

(storage and distribution)

Advantage
 Increased comfort level.
 In extreme heat, air-conditioning can be a life saver.
 Most air conditioners also reduce the humidity level, which helps both comfort,
and reduces mold growth.
 Less noise as the windows will be closed
 Prevents the dust entering the room as the windows will be closed
 Gives constant temperature
 Attractive design
 Simple control
 Easy maintenance
 Easy installation
Disadvantages
 Most air conditioners use a substantial amount of energy,
 High cost money
 Contributing to pollution from power plants.
 Older models contain chemicals that can damage the environment if they
escape.
 Encourages laziness,
 Habitant spending time indoors instead of out
 Habitants have less contact with nature.
 Too cool temperatures will lead to improper blood circulation
 Effects the environment by releasing the cfc's.

Four Main Components of Air Conditioner

1. The compressor

 Inhaling the refrigerant from the suction channel.

 Compressing to the discharge channel.

2. The condenser

 Remove heat from the condenser.

 Refrigerant vapor turn to liquid.

3. The expansion valve

 Low the temperature and the pressure of the liquid.

 Control the flow rate in to the evaporator.

4. The evaporator

 Liquid turn to vapor.

 Cold air flows out to the room.

Classification of Air Conditioning

1. Classification based on major function

2. Classification based on season of the year

3. Classification based on installation position

Classification based on major function

 a) Comfort A.C. - Creating atmospheric conditions conductive to human health,
comfort & efficiency. A.C. in home, offices, stores, restaurants, theatres,
hospitals etc. are of these types.
b) Industrial A.C. - The purpose of these system is to control atmospheric
conditions primarily for proper conduct of research & manufacturing e.g.
electronics & computer industries, paper mills, textile mills, candy factories,
photo processing etc.

Classification based on season of the year

a) Winter A.C.: system: These systems, when properly designed & installed
maintain indoor atmospheric conditions for winter comfortable, namely
temperature, humidity. Air purity & air movements, when outside temperature
is very cold.

b) Summer A.C.: Maintains indoor condition comfortable when outside

atmospheric conditions are not comfortable, but it is very hot & dry.

c) All year round A.C.: Maintains indoor temperature comfortable throughout the
year, while outside temperature may be very cold or hot.

Classification based on installation position

1. Windows AC

2. Split or Ductless AC

3. Centralised AC

Windows Air Conditioning System

 These types of AC are designed to be fitted

in window sills.
 A single unit of Window Air Conditioner
houses all the necessary components,
namely the compressor, condenser,
expansion valve or coil, evaporator and
cooling coil enclosed in a single box.
 Since a window AC is a single unit, it takes
less effort to install as well as for
maintenance.
 This is the most commonly used air
conditioner for single rooms.
Advantages

 Single unit air conditioner

 Less effort needed for installation

 Costs lesser in comparison to other varieties

Split or Ductless Air Conditioning System

 These are kits of 2 units, one internal and

another external.
 The indoor unit installed inside a room
intakes warm air and throws in cold air.
 The outdoor unit on the other hand is
installed out of the house. It contains the
compressor and is linked to the internal unit
via drain pipes and electric cables.
 Split air conditioners are used for small
rooms and halls, usually in places where
window air conditioners cannot be installed.
However, these days many people prefer
split air conditioner units even for places
where window air conditioners can be fitted.

Advantages

• Internal unit takes up less space for installation

• Usually more silent than window AC’s

• Minimally affect your home décor

• Can be installed in room with no windows

Type of Split AC

1. Wall mounted
2. Floor Mounted/Tower AC
3. Ceiling Mounted/ Cassete AC
4. Multi Split AC

Wall Mounted AC

 Wall mounted split ACs are the most

popular.
  The indoor unit is placed in the room and duct cannot be concealed.
 It is generally for small rooms which can be cooled uniformly easily.

Floor Mounted/Tower AC

 These are also known as floor-standing

air conditioners.
 Like split ACs, a tower AC set consists
of 2 units-one internal and an external.
 However, the indoor unit doesn’t need
wall installation. It rather occupies some
space on the floor.
 Tower air conditioners usually have high
cooling capacity and suitable for very
large rooms.
 These are useful in rooms where you
cannot mount the AC in your wall.
 These are generally more expensive
than wall mounted ACs and hence less
popular for homes.
Advantages
 Suitable for high capacity cooling
 Ideal for large rooms at home and in offices
 Doesn't need windows or wall installation

Ceiling mounted/Cassette AC

 These space-saving ACs are shaped like

cassettes and are designed to be
installed on ceilings.
 The panel of these air conditioners is
designed to blend with all kinds of home
décor.
 They are stylish, and are known to deliver
fantastic performances.
 Most cassette type air conditioners
require no ducting.
 They are perfect for large spaces where
windows or split AC may not reach out.
 They look aesthetically beautiful as the
unit is concealed, however this needs a
false ceiling.
 The price for this type of AC is higher
than wall mounted or floor mounted split
ACs.
  These are also known as concealed ACs.

Advantages
 Best at saving space
 Able to cool large areas where other ACs don’t reach out
 Blends with decor

Multi Split AC’s

 Multi-splits are multiple split ACs connected to one outdoor unit.

 The indoor units can be used individually or at the same time as needed if this
is supported. If both the units are used then the capacity of the ACs will be
divided. The fan and condenser of the outdoor unit will be controlled based on
the signals from indoor units.
 This primary saves cost as instead of 2 split ACs you can use this type of AC.

Advantages of multi-split ACs

 Saves installation space

 Can be used individually or simultaneously
 Independent control
 Compact Design
 Good EER
 Saves on running costs
 Convenient and economical

Disadvantages of multi-split ACs

 Expensive compared to a single unit split AC.

 Limited range of capacities and models.
 More prone to leakage as number of indoor units increases.
Centralised Air Conditioning System

 Central air conditioning is used for cooling big buildings, houses, offices,
entire hotels, gyms, movie theaters, factories etc.

 If the whole building is to be air conditioned, HVAC engineers find that putting
individual units in each of the rooms is very expensive making this a better
option.

 A central air conditioning system is comprised of a huge compressor that has

the capacity to produce hundreds of tons of air conditioning.

 central air conditioner unit is an

energy moving or converted
machines that are designed to
cool or heat the entire house.

 It does not create heat or cool. It

just removes heat from one area,
where it is undesirable, to an area
where it is less significant.

 Central air conditions has a

centralize duct system.

 It uses Ac refrigerant (we may

know it as Freon) as a substance
to absorb the heat from indoor
evaporator coils and rejects that
heat to outdoor condenser coils or
vice verse.

Health Effects of Air Conditioning

1. In hot weather, air conditioning can prevent heat stroke, dehydration from
excessive sweating and other problems related to hypothermia.

2. Air conditioning (including filtration, humidification, cooling and disinfection)

can used to provide a clean, safe, hypoallergenic atmosphere in hospital
operating rooms and other environments where proper atmosphere is critical
to patient safety and well being. Sometimes recommended for home used by
people with allergies.

3. Poorly maintained air conditioner can promote the growth and spread of
microorganisms, such as Legionella pneumophila, the infectious agent
responsible for legionnaires desease, or thermophilic actinomycetes.
 4. Excessive air conditioning can have a negative effect on skin, causing it to dry
out, and can also cause dehydration.

Environmental Impacts of Air Conditioning

The selection of the working fluids (refrigerants) has a significant

impact not only on the performance of the air conditioners but on the environment as
well. Most refrigerants used for air conditioning contribute to global warming, and
many also deplete the ozone layer. Cfcs, HCFCs, HFCs are potent greenhouse
gases when leaked to the atmosphere.

Maintenance

1. Shut off the power.

2. Remove debris on the exterior of condenser or compressor.

3. Clean the fins.

4. Straighten the fins.

5. Clean area around the unit.

6. Level the unit.

7. Clean the evaporator coil.

8. Clean a plugged evaporator drain.

9. Change the blower filter.

10. Turn the power back on.

 Formulas

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio

SEER=BTU ÷ (W·h)=(BTU/h)÷W

Formulas for the approximate conversion between SEER and EER or COP

SEER = EER ÷ 0.9

SEER =COP × 3.792

EER = COP × 3.413