AIR CONDITIONING: WORKING, AND TYPES

1. What is meant by “Air

conditioning”?
2. Human Comfort
3. Why do we need A.C.? 7.Classfication of air conditioners
4. Advantages and 8.Windows AC- advantages
Disadvantage of A.C. Parts of the Window Air Conditioners
5. Ideal room temperature Working
6. some terminology- the refrigeration system, 10.Central Air Conditioning
 Dry-bulb temperature air circulation system-room air cycle and System
 Wet-bulb temperature: the hot air cycle. Advantages and
 Dew point  ventilation system, disadvantages
 Latent heat  control system, 11. Key differences between
 Absolute humidity  electrical protection "Window", "Split" and a
 Relative humidity system.
9.Split or Ductless AC- "cassette" air conditioners.
 Specific humidity advantages, parts indoor and outdoor, 12.Cooling capacity
 Sensible heat types- 13.Energy Efficiency
 Evaporating Cooling  Wall mounted 14.Energy Consumption
 Condensation  Floor mounted/Tower AC 15.Energy Efficiency Ratio
 Enthalpy  Ceiling mounted/Cassette AC 16.Energy Saving Methods
 Entropy  Multi Split ACs 17.Some AC brands 3
 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).

3
 THE FOUR ATMOSPHERIC CONDITION WHICH AFFECT
HUMAN COMFORTS ARE-

Temperature, Humidity, Air purity Air

movement
& s.
 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 % humidity is between 40-
65%.

4
 INA WELL CLIMATICALLY DESIGNED BUILDING HUMAN COMFORT
FACTORS ARE CONTROLLED NATURALLY, THAT IS THE BEST SOLUTION.
 Inbig building/complexes it is not possible to design entire building comfortably by
natural energy sources like sun, wind, orientation etc.
 Insuch cases we have to take the help of mechanical mean for obtaining comfortable
conditions inside the building.
 The science & practice of creating a controlled climate in indoor space is called Air-
conditioning.
 Outside air is quite likely to be at a different condition from the required comfort zone
condition. In order to bring its condition to within the comfort zone we may need to do
one or more of the following:-heat it; cool it; dehumidify it; humidify it; or mix it.
5
ADVANTAGES:
 Increased comfort level.
 In extreme heat, air-conditioning can be
a life saver. Disadvantage
 Most air conditioners also reduce the  Most air conditioners use a substantial amount
humidity level, which helps both comfort, of energy,
and reduces mold growth.  High cost money
 Less noise as the windows will be closed  Contributing to pollution from power plants.
 Prevents the dust entering the room as  Older models contain chemicals that can damage
the windows will be closed the environment if they escape.
 Gives constant temperature  Encourages laziness,
 Attractive design  Habitant spending time indoors instead of out
 Simple control  Habitants have less contact with nature.
 Easy maintenance  Too cool temperatures will lead to improper blood
 Easy installation circulation
 Effects the environment by releasing the cfc's.
6
s. n Type of Space Summer(°C) Winter(°C)

1. Residences, apartments, hotel and motel guest rooms , offices, conference 23–26 20–22
rooms, classrooms, courtrooms, and hospital patient rooms

2. Theaters , auditoriums, churches, chapels, synagogues, assembly halls, lobbies, and 24–27 21–22
lounge
3. Restaurants, cafeterias, and bars 22–26 20–21

4. Retail shops and supermarkets 23–27 18–20

5. Medical intensive care rooms 22–26 22–26

6. Factories and industrial shops 27–29 18–20

7. Machinery spaces, foundries, boiler shops, and garages - 10–16

8. Kitchens and laundries 24–27 18–20

7
 DRY-BULB TEMPERATURE:
 It is the temperature of air measured by a Wet-bulb temperature
thermometer freely exposed to the air but shielded  It is a type of temperature
from radiation and moisture. measurement that reflects the physical
 Dry bulb temperature is the temperature that is properties of a system with a mixture
usually thought of as air temperature, and it is the of a gas and a vapour , usually air and
true thermodynamic temperature. water vapour .
 It is the temperature measured by a regular  Wet bulb temperature is the lowest
thermometer exposed to the airstream. temperature that can be reached by the
 It is the temperature shown by a dry sensing element evaporation of water only.
such as mercury in a glass tube thermometer.  This is the temperature indicated by a
 This is actual temperature. moistened thermometer bulb exposed
 When people refer to the temperature of the air, they to the air flow.
are normally referring to its dry bulb temperature.  The wet bulb temperature is always
 The Dry Bulb Temperature refers basically to the lower than the dry bulb temperature
ambient air temperature. It is called "Dry Bulb" but will be identical with 100%
because the air temperature is indicated by a relative humidity.
thermometer not affected by the moisture of the air.  This is the temperature we feel.
8
 DEW POINT: LATENT HEAT :
 The dew point is a saturation temperature.
 All pure substances in nature are able
 The temperature at which the air is saturated (100%
RH) and further cooling manifests in condensation
to change their state.
from water in the air.  Solids can become liquids (ice to water)
 The dew point is the temperature at which water and liquids can become gases (water to
vapour starts to condense out of the air (the vapor) but changes such as these require
temperature at which air becomes completely the addition or removal of heat.
saturated).  The heat that causes these changes is
 Above this temperature the moisture will stay in the called latent heat.
air.  Heat energy added or removed as a
 If the dew-point temperature is close to the dry air substance
temperature - the relative humidity is high changes state, whilst temperature remains
 If the dew point is well below the dry air constant,
temperature - the relative humidity is low  E.G. Water changing to steam at 100ƒc and
atmospheric pressure (W).

10
 SPECIFIC HUMIDITY:
 specific humidity is the mass of water
vapour present in a unit mass of air.
 Where temperatures are high and rainfall is
Absolute humidity: excessive, the specific humidity of the air
reaches high proportions.
Absolute humidity is the total amount of water  This is also called “moisture content” .
vapour present in a given volume of air. It
does not take temperature into consideration.
Sensible heat gain:
Relative humidity:  when an object is heated, its temperature
rises as heat is added. The increase in heat is
 Relative humidity (RH) is the ratio of
called sensible heat.
water contained in air at a given dry bulb  Similarly, when heat is removed from an
temperature, as a percentage of the object and its temperature falls, the heat
maximum amount of water that could be removed is also called sensible heat.
held in air at that temperature.  Heat that causes a change in temperature in
 Thus the relative humidity of air is a an
function of both water content and
temperature.
object is called sensible heat.
 EVAPORATIVE
COOLING
Evaporative cooling produces effective
:
cooling by combining a natural process -
water evaporation - with a simple, reliable air-
moving system. Enthalpy:
Total heat energy, i.E. Sensible heat + latent
Condensation : heat. Specific enthalpy (kj/kg dry air).
Condensation is the change of the physical
state of matter from gaseous phase into
liquid phase, and is the reverse of
evaporation.
Entropy:
Measure of total heat energy in a refrigerant
for every degree of temperature (kj/kgƒc)
 12

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON SEASON

OF THE YEAR:

Classification based on major function:- a)Winter A.C.: system: These systems,

(a) Comfort A.C.: Creating atmospheric conditions when properly designed & installed
maintain indoor atmospheric conditions for
conductive to human health, comfort & efficiency. A.C. in
winter comfortable, namely temperature,
home, offices, stores, humidity. Air purity & air
restaurants, theatres, hospitals etc. are of these types. movements, when outside temperature is
(b) Industrial A.C.: The purpose of these system is to
very cold.
control atmospheric conditions primarily for proper conduct of
research & manufacturing e.g. electronics & computer b) Summer A.C.: Maintains indoor
industries, paper mills, textile mills, candy factories, photo condition comfortable when outside
atmospheric conditions are not comfortable,
processing etc.
but it is very hot & dry.
Classification based on equipments
c) All year round A.C.: Maintains
arranged: indoor temperature comfortable throughout
a) Unitary or “packed” A.C. the year, while outside temperature may be
b) Spit A.C. very cold or hot.
c) Central A.C.
d) Combination of above.
Classification based on installation
position Windows AC WINDOWS AC
Split or Ductless
AC Centralised • These types of AC are designed to be
AC 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 14
 PARTS OF THE
WINDOW  In the front of the
window air conditioner
AIR on the room side there
CONDITIONERS
The whole assembly of is beautifully decorated
the window air front panel on which
conditioner can be the supply and return
divided into two air grills are fitted (the
compartments: whole front panel itself
 the room side, which is is commonly called as
also the cooling side and front grill).
 the outdoor side from  The louvers fitted in
where the heat absorbed the supply air grills are
by the room air is adjustable so as to
liberated to the supply the air in desired
atmosphere. direction.
 There is also one
The room side and outdoor opening in the grill that
side are separated from allows access to the
each other by an insulated control panel or
partition enclosed inside operating panel in front
the window air conditioner of the window air
assembly conditioner.
15
The various parts of the
window air conditioner
can be divided into
following categories:
 the
refrigeration
system,
 air circulation
system,
 ventilation
system,
 control system,
 electrical
protection system.

16
 16

THE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM OF THE WINDOW AIR CONDITIONER COMPRISES OF ALL THE
IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE REFRIGERATION CYCLE. THESE INCLUDE
 the compressor,
 condenser,
 expansion valve and
 the evaporator.
 The refrigerant used in most of the window air conditioners is R22.
 The compressor used in the window air conditioners is hermetically sealed type, which is portable one. This compressor
has long life and it carries long warranty periods. The condenser is made up of copper tubing and it is cooled by the
atmospheric air. The condenser is covered with the fins to enable faster heat transfer rate from it.
 The capillary tubing made up of various rounds of the copper coil is used as the expansion valve in the window
air conditioners. Just before the capillary there is drier filter that filters the refrigerant and also removes the
moisture particles, if present in the refrigerant.
 Like condenser, the evaporator is also made up of copper tubing of number of turns and is covered with the
fins.
 The evaporator is also called as the cooling coil since the rooms air passes over it and gets cooled. Just in front of
the evaporator there is air filter fitted in the front panel or front grill.
 As the room air is absorbed, it is first passed over the filter so that it gets filtered. The filtered air is then blown over the
cooling coil and the chilled air is passed into the room.
 The refrigerant after leaving the cooling coil enters the accumulator where it is accumulated and then it is again sucked
17
 THE AIR CIRCULATION SYSTEM OF THE WINDOW
AIR CONDITIONER COMPRISES OF THE
FOLLOWING PARTS.
1) Blower: This is the small blower that is fitted
behind the evaporator or cooling coil inside the
assembly of the
window air conditioner system. The blower sucks the air
from the room which first passes over the air filter and
gets filtered. The air then passes over the cooling coil and
gets chilled. The blower then blows this filtered and
chilled
air, which passes through the supply air compartment 2)Propeller fan or the condenser fan: The condenser fan
inside the window air conditioner assembly. This air is is the forced draft type of propeller fan that sucks the
then atmospheric air and blows it over the condenser. The hot
delivered into the room from the supply air grill of refrigerant inside the condenser gives up the heat to the
the front panel. atmospheric air and its temperature reduces.
3) Fan motor: The motor inside the window air conditioner
assembly is located between the condenser and the evaporator
coil. It has double shaft on one side of which the blower is
fitted and on the other side the condenser fan is fitted. This
makes the whole assembly of the blower, the condenser fan
and the motor
highly 19
compact.
 ROOM AIR CYCLE
 The air moving inside the room and in the front part of the air conditioner where the
cooling coil is located is considered to be the room air. When the window AC is
started the blower starts immediately and after a few seconds the compressor also
The working of window air starts. The evaporator coil or the cooling gets cooled as soon as the compressor is
conditioner can be explained started.
by separately considering the  The blower behind the cooling coil starts sucking the room air, which is at high
two cycles of air: temperature and also carries the dirt and dust particles. On its path towards the blower,
 room air cycle and the room air first passes through the filter where the dirt and dust particles from it get
 the hot air cycle. removed.
 The air then passes over the cooling coil where two processes occur. Firstly, Due to this
the temperature of the room air becomes very low, that is the air becomes chilled.
Secondly, due to reduction in the temperature of the air, relative humidity reduces.
 This air at low temperature and low humidity is sucked by the blower and it blows it at
high pressure. The chilled air then passes through small duct inside the air conditioner
and it is then thrown outside the air conditioner through the opening in the front panel
or the grill. This chilled air then enters the room and chills the room maintaining low
temperature and low humidity inside the room.
 The cool air inside the room absorbs the heat and also the moisture and so its
temperature and moisture content becomes high. This air is again sucked by the
blower and the cycle repeats. Some outside air also gets mixed with this room air.
Since this air is sent back to the blower, it is also called as the return room air. In this
way the cycle of this return air or the room air keeps on repeating.
19
 HOT AIR CYCLE
Air Filter
 The hot air cycle includes the atmospheric air that is The filter is a very important part of the AC since it cleans the air
used for cooling the condenser. The condenser of the
before it enters the room. For proper functioning of the filter it is
window air conditioner is exposed to the external
atmosphere.
very important to clean it every two weeks.
 The propeller fan located behind the condenser sucks
the atmospheric at high temperature and it blows the air
over the condenser. Setting the Room Temperature
 The refrigerant inside the condenser is at very high
temperature and it has to be cooled to produce the with
desired cooling effect.  The temperature inside the room can be set by using
 When the atmospheric air passes over the condenser, it Thermostat
the thermostat knob or the remote control.
absorbs the heat from the refrigerant and its temperature
increases. The atmospheric air is already at high  When the desired temperature is attained inside the room, the
temperature and after absorbing the condenser heat, its thermostat stops the compressor of the AC.
temperature becomes even higher. Since the temperature  After some time when the temperature of the air becomes
of this air is very high, this is called as hot air cycle. higher again, the thermostat restarts the compressor to produce
 The refrigerant after getting cooled enters the expansion the cooling effect.
valve and then the evaporator. On the other hand, the hot  One should set the thermostat at the required temperature and
mixes with the atmosphere and then the fresh atmospheric
not keep it at very low temperature to avoid high electricity
air is absorbed by the propeller fan and blown over the
condenser. This cycle of the hot air continues.
bills.
 SPLIT AC
 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.
 This external unit throws out the warm air.
 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.
 The split air conditioner takes up a very small space of your room,
• looks aesthetically cool and makes very little noise.

Advantages
 Internal unit takes up less space for
installation
 Usually more silent than window ACs
 Minimally affect your home decor 22
 Can be installed in room with no windows
There are two main parts of the split air
conditioner. These are: 2) INDOOR UNIT:
 It is the indoor unit that produces the
1) Outdoor unit: cooling effect inside the room or the
 This unit houses important office.
components of the air conditioner  This is a beautiful looking tall unit usually
like the compressor, condenser coil white in color, though these days a number
and also the expansion coil or of stylish models of the indoor unit are
capillary tubing. being launched.
 This unit is installed outside the  The indoor unit houses the evaporator coil
room or office space which is to be or the cooling coil, a long blower and the
cooled. filter.
 The compressor is the maximum  After passing from the expansion coil,
noise making part of the air the chilled Freon fluid enters the
conditioner, and since in the split air cooling coil.
conditioner, it  The blower sucks the hot, humid and
is located outside the room, the filtered air from the room and it blows it
major source of noise is eliminated. over the cooling coil.
 In the outdoor unit there is a fan that  As the air passes over cooling coil its
blows air over the condenser thus temperature reduces drastically and also
cooling the compressed Freon gas in loses the excess moisture.
it.  The cool and dry air enters the room and
 This gas passes through the maintains comfortable conditions of
expansion coil and gets converted
 23
 Wall mounted  These are also known as floor-standing
 Floor mounted/Tower AC air conditioners.
 Ceiling mounted/Cassette  Like split ACs, a tower AC set consists of 2
AC units- one internal and an external.
 Multi Split ACs  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.
Wall mounted  These are useful in rooms where you cannot
mount the AC in your wall.
 Wall mounted split  These are generally more expensive than wall
ACs are the most Advantages
mounted ACs and hence less popular for
popular.  homes.
Suitable for high capacity cooling
 The indoor unit is  Ideal for large rooms at home and in offices
placed in the room and  Doesn't need windows or wall installation
duct cannot be
concealed. Floor
 It is generally for small
rooms which can be mounted/Tower
cooled uniformly
 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 25
MULTI SPLIT 25

ACS
 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 Advantages of multi-split Disadvantages of multi-split ACs
the ACs will be divided. ACs  Expensive compared to a single
The  Saves installation space unit split AC
fan and condenser of the  Can be used individually  Limited range of capacities and
outdoor unit will be or simultaneously models
controlled based on the  Independent control  More prone to leakage as number of
 signals from saves
This primary indoorcost
units.
as  Compact Design indoor units increases
instead of 2 split ACs you  Good EER
can use this type of AC.  Saves on running costs
 Convenient and
economical
CENTRAL AIR CHILLED WATER CENTRAL
CONDITIONING SYSTEM AIR CONDITIONING
 Central air conditioning is used for cooling big buildings,
houses, offices, entire hotels, gyms, movie theaters,  The chilled water types of central air conditioning
factories etc. plants are installed in the place where whole large
 If the whole building is to be air conditioned, HVAC buildings, shopping mall, airport, hotel, etc,
engineers find that putting individual units in each of the comprising of several floors are to be air conditioned.
rooms is very expensive making this a better option.  While in the direct expansion type of central air
 A central air conditioning system is comprised of a huge conditioning plants, refrigerant is directly used to
compressor that has the capacity to produce hundreds of cool the room air; in the chilled water plants the
tons of air conditioning. refrigerant first chills the water, which in turn chills
 Cooling big halls, malls, huge spaces, galleries etc is the room air.
usually only feasible with central conditioning units  In chilled water plants, the ordinary water or brine
 central air conditioner unit is an energy moving or solution is chilled to very low temperatures of about 6
converted to 8 degree Celsius by the refrigeration plant.
machines that are designed to cool or heat the entire  This chilled water is pumped to various floors of the
house. building and its different parts.
 It does not create heat or cool. It just removes heat from  In each of these parts the air handling units are
one installed, which comprise of the cooling coil, blower
area, where it is undesirable, to an area where it is less and the ducts. The chilled water flows through the
significant. cooling coil. The blower absorbs return air from the
 Central air conditions has a centralize duct system. air conditioned rooms that are to be cooled via the
 It uses Ac refrigerant (we may know it as Freon) as a ducts.
Chilled Water
Central Air
Conditioning 28
Key differences between "Window", "Split" and a "cassette" air
conditioners
AC Parameters Window AC Split AC Cassette AC
Suitable For Small rooms with a window Any room with or without Large indoor spaces
sill a window

Noise Relatively on the higher side Minimal noise Silent operation

Capacity range 0.75 ton to 2 ton 0.8 to 2 ton 1 ton to 4 ton

Advanced features Humidity control, dust filter Humidity control, dust Humidity control, dust
filter, bacteria filter filter, bacteria filter

Interference with home decor Slight possibility to Designer indoor units Barely interferes with
interfere with window blend well with wall decor interior decor
curtains and drapes

Ease of installation Minimal effort required Indoor and outdoor units Needs specialised false
need some amount of effort ceiling
for installation
The cooling capacity is the most important feature of an air conditioner, this
primarily defines the price of the AC. Most air conditioners are rated by tonnage. Rooms Size (Sq Tonnage
One ton is equal to 12,000 BTU per hour. The cooling capacity needed depends ft) Capacity
on factors like:

 Size of the room: The cooling capacity required depends on the area of the
room where the AC will be installed.

 Average ambient temperature: Higher temperature of the air outisde Up to 90 sq ft 0.8 Ton
your house, higher is the cooling capacity needed.

 Number of people: The more the people that will be in the room, the Up to 120 sq ft 1.0 Ton
higher will be the cooling capacity required.

 Exposure: Direct exposure of any wall of the room to sun leads to higher
Up to 180 sq ft 1.5 Ton
requirement in cooling capacity. Glass windows which let sunlight inside
the room also increases the need for cooling capacity.

 Proximity of your room to kitchen: If the room is close to the kitchen Up to 220 sq ft 2.0 Ton
the cooling capacity needed would be higher due to higher temperature of
the kitchen.
30
 ENERGY
Energy Efficiency Ratio
EFFICIENCY
 Today's best air conditioners  EER represents the amount of cooling an air conditioner
use 30% to 50% less energy can provide per watt of electricity it consumes.
than 1970s  Bureau of Energy Efficiency rates air conditioners on its
 Even if your air conditioner is star rating based on EER of air conditioners.
only 10 years old, you may save  Higher the EER of air conditioner higher the star rating it
20% to 40% of your cooling will
energy costs by replacing it with have.
a newer, more efficient model .  So a 5 star rated air conditioner provides more cooling per watt
of electricity used.
 For central air conditioners, it is the Seasonal Energy
Efficiency
Energy Consumption Ratio, or SEER
 Air conditioners are rated by the
number of British Thermal Units Energy Saving Methods
(Btu) of heat they can remove per  Locate the air conditioner in a window or wall area near the
hour. Another common rating term center of the room and on the shadiest side of the house.
for air conditioning size is the  Minimize air leakage by fitting the room air conditioner
"ton," which is 12,000 Btu per snugly into its opening and sealing gaps with a foam weather
hour. stripping material.
 Room air conditioners range from
5,500 Btu per hour to 14,000 Btu 31
 Some AC
brands

Voltas

Samsun

Daikin

LG

Whirlpoo

Vidiocon

Bluestar

Hitachi

Haier
32
O general