| Air
Conditioning - Frequently Asked Questions |
| Q |
What
is Air conditioning? |
A |
Click
for explanation |
| Q |
How
do I calculate the cooling or heating capacity of my room ? |
A |
Multiply
the length x width x height of the room in metres multiply the total by
40, this will give you the answer in "watts" (please note this
calculation is only a guide) |
| Q |
How
cold can I make my room? |
A |
The
lower limit for comfort cooling is 20 degrees, |
| Q |
How
much will it cost to run? |
A |
Take
the "input power" (normally around 30% of the output of the unit)
multiply this figure by the cost per unit of electricity allowing for diversity
(thermostatic control) |
| Q |
Where
does the heat go? |
A |
Normally
by an outside condenser |
| Q |
Can
I put the outside condenser in another room? |
A |
The
ideal place is outdoors, however some applications are suitable for the
condenser to be located indoors, an example being a small room with a large
warehouse area adjacent. |
| Q |
What
is the maximum separation I can have between the indoor and outdoor unit? |
A |
This
can be up to 50 metres dependent on the size of the unit and the manufacturers
specifications, also the amount of "lift" involved (indoor lower
than outdoor or visa versa) Units under 3.5 kw normally have a maximum of
15mtrs |
| Q |
Can
my outdoor unit be mounted higher or lower than the indoor unit? |
A |
Yes,
this will vary again dependant on make and size, rule of thumb small units
are allowed 5 mtrs of "lift" more detail on pipe separation horizintal
and vertical here |
| Q |
What
about fresh air? |
A |
Normally
on small wall type and ceiling type units there is no provision for fresh
air on the actual unit, on the ducted and cassette type provision is made
in most cases. |
| Q |
What
is a heat pump? |
A |
A
heat pump is a reverse cycle airconditioner, modern heat pumps are very
efficient and one of the most cost-effective methods of heating |
| Q |
Will
a heat pump work in severe weather conditions? |
A |
An
" air to air" heat pump will not perform at 100% efficiency during
these conditions, the system should be" sized" using a higher
calculation method to compensate for this |
| Q |
I
have an office 8mx4m should I use a 5kw wall type unit? |
A |
No.
This length of room should have 2 x 2.5 kw wall units or 1 x ceiling unit
or cassette type this is because wall unit air "throw" is only
good for approx. 4 metres. |
| Q |
What
about noise? |
A |
The
noise of the indoor unit is less than a pc base unit in most cases, The
outdoor units are also extremely quiet in operation. |
| Q |
What
about refrigerant, which one do I go for ? |
A |
Refrigerant
22 has been in use for many years, it will be illegal to import heat pumps
into the EEC with this type of refrigerant after December 2003 although
it will be around for some time for servicing a good "drop in alternate
is Isceon 59 (R417a). |
| Q |
Can
I use other types of refrigerant in my R22 system? |
A |
There
are "drop in refrigerants" available now that will replace R22
without modifications to the system |
| Q |
Can
I use the new refrigerants in my R22 air conditioner? |
A |
No.!
The oil in a R22 refrigerant compressor is mineral oil and in the new types
it is synthetic. |
| Q |
Can
I buy "too big" a system for my room? |
A |
Yes,
too large a system will result in short cycling. (More
information here) |
| Q |
Can
I get Legionnaire's disease ? |
A |
This
has been traced to poorly maintained water based commercial cooling systems,more
information and staistics ca be found at http://www.q-net.net.au/~legion/Legionnaires_Disease_Outbreaks.htm |
| Q |
What
is "latent heat" ? |
A |
Latent
heat is sometimes called "hidden heat" (more
information here) |
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