Best Air Conditioning Systems - What Is a SEER Rating?

Best Air Conditioning Systems - How to measure energy Efficiency?

A common way to measure the energy-efficiency of an air conditioning unit is through the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). The more energy-efficient an air conditioner is, the higher its SEER rating will be. Defined mathematically, the SEER rating is the amount of cooling output, measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) during a typical cooling season, divided by its energy usage, measured in watt-hours, during the same cooling season. As energy prices have increased, the importance of energy efficiency in air conditioning, and therefore that of the SEER rating, has increased significantly.

Best Central Air Conditioners - Efficiency of the Season.

The SEER rating of an air conditioner measures efficiency over a whole season, and the energy efficiency ratio (EER) rating measures it for one given point in time. For example, an air conditioner's efficiency for the summer of 1998 would be measured by the SEER rating, but its efficiency at 3:07 in the afternoon on 4 August would be reflected in an EER rating. The SEER rating of a unit is usually a number between about six and 25. Newer units usually have a higher rating, reflecting more efficient energy usage.

Best Window Air Conditioning Units - SEER Rating.

If an air conditioner operates for a total of 800 hours during a cooling season, and has an output of 5,000 BTUs per hour, then the total energy output for the season will be four million BTUs. If the unit has a SEER rating of 20, then the total energy usage will calculated as 4 million divided by 20, to find the watt-hours used. The result is 200,000 watt-hours for the whole season. The number that the SEER rating represents, therefore, is the number of BTUs that are produced for every watt-hour of energy consumption.

Best Rated Air Conditioning Units - Government laws.

Some governments have instituted laws, mandating a specific minimum level of energy efficiency, as measured by a SEER ratio. For example, in the United States, all air conditioners sold on or after 1 January 2006 are required to have a SEER rating of at least 13. Air-conditioners that are mounted in windows are not affected by this law, and it is common for these to have a rating of about nine or ten. For a unit to have the special Energy Star certification, its rating must be at least 14.

 

Mini Split Air - What Are the Methods for Recirculating Air?

Mini Split Air - Circulation Methods.

 

Cooling systems like fans, air conditioners, heat pumps and whole house fans are the primary methods of recirculating air, and they are implemented to make life more comfortable indoors. Each of these air circulation methods depend on moving parts to force the air to be expelled quickly throughout living quarters. During the hot summer months, it is the steadily moving air currents which provide relief from incessant sweating and dehydration, the two main forms of bodily discomfort. The added benefit of recirculating air also improves the atmosphere within the room through filtering the moving air, which helps trap allergens and particles.

Mitsubishi Mini Split Air Conditioner - Factors to Buy.

The purchase of an air circulation system depends on three main factors: price, energy consumption and effectiveness. Normally, a perfect system would be the one which is highly efficient in terms of recirculating air and energy consumption while being available at a reasonable price. Humidity also comes into play in many areas of the world, and in some cases, even the most powerful air conditioning units struggle with recirculating air. A more thorough solution would be combine this technology with ceiling fans, window fans and whole-house fans to increase the recirculating air throughout the environment, which actually makes the main unit more efficient.

Mini Split Air Conditioner Reviews - Contemporary Option.

Air conditioning is a contemporary option which not only ensures cooler temperatures, but also creates a healthy and germ-free environment. Depending on its installation, an air cooling system might be either centrally located or wall mounted. While the former is effective throughout the house, the latter is suitable for cooling down a single room or small area only. In hot and humid countries, an air conditioner is no longer considered a luxury, but a common possession. The growing demand has caused the industry to greatly expand, with future projections centered on finding more energy-efficient models that use safe coolants.

Mini Split Air Conditioner Installation - Modern Heat Pumps.

Another method of recirculating air is to employ heat pumps; these types of models feature both the heating as well as the cooling systems within the same unit. In summer, the heat pump functions like an air conditioning unit that can considerably reduce the temperature and humidity within a structure, and it can also deliver heating in the winter months. Since the air from outside is continuously pumped into the dwelling, recirculated air is frequently being replaced, and the overall indoor air quality improves.

 

Ductless AC Systems - Types of Climate Control Systems.

Ductless AC Systems - Number of Systems.

Climate control systems are used to provide heating and cooling in residential and commercial buildings. These systems are part of the building's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and are typically installed and maintained by specialty contractors. There are a number of different types of climate control systems that may be used, depending on the size and function of the building, as well as the needs of occupants or residents.

Ductless Air Conditioning - Used to improve Comfort.

HVAC systems are used to improve building comfort, increase productivity, and to preserve building components over time. Effective climate control systems not only improve the well-being of occupants, but also help to keep moisture and humidity levels in check. While excess cold or heat can lead to burst pipes or warped furnishings, unchecked moisture and humidity can cause mold or rot.

Mitsubishi Ductless Air Conditioning Systems - Specialty Equipment.

Maintaining proper temperatures and conditions within the building requires specialized equipment and maintenance. In larger structures, central heating and cooling systems use a series of ductwork to transfer air throughout the building. The air is cooled or heated in a furnace or air handling unit, then distributed to each room through vents or grills. In smaller buildings, individual heating and cooling units may be used. These systems may consist of simple space heaters or through-wall air conditioning systems.

Fujitsu Ductless Air Conditioning Systems - Effective Systems.

Effective climate control systems must also address ventilation requirements. Inadequately ventilated buildings will have poor air quality and may even suffer from condensation and other moisture issues. In both large and small buildings, ventilation can be natural or mechanical. Natural ventilation systems include air intake louvers, operable windows, and loosely constructed building components. While these systems are affordable to operate, they tend to result in poor energy efficiency levels overall.

 

Heating and Air Systems - What is HVAC in United States?

Heating and Air Systems - HVAC and Comfort.

Climate control and comfort in modern buildings is a major design issue. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems help to control the climate, and keep occupants comfortable by regulating the temperature and air flow. HVAC systems are also important to occupants' health, because a well regulated and maintained system will keep a home free from mold and other harmful organisms. In some environments, such as museums, HVAC systems are vitally important for the preservation of historic artifacts.

Air and Heating Units - Appropriate Size.

In choosing any type of HVAC system, finding one that is size-appropriate to the building is important in terms of achieving the best efficiency and comfort level. Beyond understanding the maintenance and installation of the systems themselves, sizing the systems appropriately is perhaps one of the most difficult tasks of an HVAC contractor. If your HVAC contractor recommends a heating system that is too big or too little for your home or business, the result will be an inefficient system that will cost more money in the long run. An oversized air conditioner will not efficiently dehumidify the air; and an oversized furnace is likely to cause a large temperature swing and create an uncomfortable climate inside the target area.

Heating and Air Conditioning Systems - Can you replace the same capacity?

Determining the size of HVAC systems only by square footage is largely inaccurate, since it does not take into account the energy-efficiency or design of the building. Another common mistake made by many contractors is simply replacing an HVAC unit with a newer unit of the same capacity. This is not always the best strategy. Older homes, for example, often had larger-than-necessary furnaces. An older home that has undergone significant renovation with new windows, weatherstripping, insulation and caulking, will be more energy-efficient, and may be better served by replacing the older, larger heating unit with a smaller one.

Heating and Air Systems Prices - Calculation Software.

Gas and electric utility companies sometimes offer to perform a sizing calculation either for free or for a minimal charge. A good contractor will follow procedures set forth by trade organizations such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) in regards to appropriate sizing, and may use software programs to assist in the calculation.

 

In larger, industrial systems, HVAC software is used to manage the HVAC system with respect to other areas such as scheduling, dispatch, billing, maintenance, inventory. Specialized HVAC software is also used by engineers to design ductwork and piping plans. These software programs usually integrate with CAD (computer aided design) software.

Mr Slim Mini Split - How Is Ductwork Sizing Determined?

Mr Slim Mini Split - Ductwork.

In structures with a central furnace or air conditioner, a network of supply ducts transports hot or cool air throughout the building. A second set of return ducts captures exhaust air and returns it to the mechanical room for ventilation purposes. Ductwork sizing can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of a home's heating and cooling system. Properly-sized ducts ensure sufficient air reaches each room to maximize comfort for occupants. Ductwork sizing also effects noise levels, energy efficiency, and operating expenses.

Mr Slim Air Conditioner - Evaluation.

Mechanical engineers must evaluate a number of different factors when determining ductwork sizing for a structure. First, they consider the size of the building and the climate zone where it's located. They then measure how much air enters or exits the home naturally through gaps or openings in the building. By combining these two factors, the engineer determines what size furnace or air conditioner is needed to keep the home comfortable.

Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps - Air Pressure.

Based on the size of the central unit, the engineer can determine the initial air pressure within the duct network. He then calculates the distance the air must travel to and from each room, as well as the amount of air volume needed in each area. Engineers must also consider how much air pressure is lost as the air travels through the ducts themselves, either due to distance from the blower or to simple leaks in the duct.

Mitsubishi Cooling and Heating without Ductwork - Dimensioning Conduits.

Armed with this information, designers can choose one of two basic systems to determine proper duct sizing. People throughout much of the world rely on systems created by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to size ductwork. The most widely used ASHRAE system relies on achieving equal friction within the duct network. This means sizing ducts to equalize pressure lost during air supply and air return, which creates a balanced system of heating, cooling and ventilation.

 

Split System Heat Pumps. What Is a Fan Coil Unit?

Split System Heat Pumps. Heating Coil.

The fan coil unit consists of a cooling or heating coil. Such units are typically a part of heating and air conditioning systems. The fan coil unit may be used in all sorts of capacities.

The fan cooling unit is not part of the air conditioning or heating unit itself and there is no required connection to any ductwork within a structure. Instead, the fan coil unit generally is a stand alone device installed to adjust temperatures in its location. Often, the device is controlled by a thermostat that tells it when to come on and shut off.

Gas Furnace Heat Pump. Manual Switch.

There are some units that still operate by a manual switch. This requires the user to shut it on and off. These types of devices are used in the heating and cooling of all types of buildings, including residential, commercial, and industrial facilities.

Fan coil units may be more cost efficient than their air handling unit counterparts for a number of reasons. First, they are more financially feasible given that they need no ductwork installed to make them operational. They can also be installed in many different ways, such as horizontally using a ceiling mount or vertically using a floor mount.

3 Ton Heat Pump. Fan coil.

There is one major drawback to this type of unit. Unlike central air and heating units where the fan is outside the home or place of business and cannot be seen or heard, these units can be loud because it is possible to hear the fan running. This noise occurs because the fan for the unit is sharing the same space and is not outside the building.

Fan coil units operate in the same sense as larger air conditioning and heating units through the process of heat transfer. When heating is necessary, hot water moves into a coil where heat is then collected and pushed into the air. When cooling is necessary, the same process occurs but instead of circulating hot water into the coil, cold air is used instead.

Heat Pump Price. Two Main Types of Units.

There are two main types of units: two pipe units and four pipe units. A two pipe unit has one supply pipe and one pipe for return. The former is used to supply the hot or cold water for the heat transfer, depending on what the fan coil unit is being used for.

The fan coil unit in its four pipe model has two pipes for supply and two for return. This type of unit is the most commonly used, especially in larger structures where spaces must be heated and or cooled simultaneously. The two supply pipes allow for the entry of both hot and cold water into the unit to allow this process to occur.

Multi Split Air Conditioning Systems. What is an HVAC Unit?

Multi Split Air Conditioning Systems.  HVAC

An HVAC unit is a term used for a centralized heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. An HVAC unit allows for the convenient regulation of the interior temperature and climate of a building. Before the advent of the modern HVAC system, effective interior cooling and heating were often limited to a specific room or portion of a building with localized heating or cooling.

Daikin Mini Split. Refrigerated Coils.

An HVAC unit provides interior cooling by drawing warm interior air into the system through a series of air return ducts. The air is then moved over a series of refrigerated coils. As the air moves over the coils, the heat in the air is transferred to the refrigerant in the coils. A fan or blower sends the cooled air back to the interior of the building through a series of ducts.

Lg Mini Split Heat Pump. The Cooling Fan.

As the cold air is being directed into the building, the heated refrigerant is directed to a unit outside of the building. Here the heated refrigerant flows through a series of coils over a cooling fan. The cooling fan helps to dissipate the heat from the refrigerant, which is then directed back to the interior of the HVAC unit to begin the cooling process all over again.

 

The heating function in an HVAC unit works in much the same manner as the cooling function. Air is drawn into the system through a series of ducts. As the air flows through the system it is heated by the furnace through heat exchangers. A fan or blower sends the heated air back to the interior of a building through a series of ducts.

Goductless. Ventilation and Filtration.

In addition to heating and cooling the interior of a building, an HVAC unit can actually improve the quality of the interior air through ventilation and filtration. As mentioned previously, HVAC systems draw interior air into the system through a series of ducts. The movement of air prevents stagnation of and circulates interior air and removes odors and excessive moisture. As air moves through the system, some of the existing interior air may also be replaced from air drawn from outside of the building itself. The constant introduction of fresh air also helps to maintain the air quality in the building.

 

As air is drawn into the HVAC unit, it is also directed through a series of filters. The interior air of a building is a mixture of a variety of things such as human skin particles, insect droppings, pet dander, and pollen. The filtration system protects the unit from these and other airborne pollutants that could cause damage if allowed to enter the inner workings of the unit.