Business Data Security: A Guide To Server Room Cooling With Portable Air Conditioners

Most buildings aren't designed specifically for the unique needs of a server room, so it's no wonder that many server rooms aren't properly designed in terms of cooling. The solution for most has been to bring in portable air conditioners or spot coolers to take the unique needs of the server room.

Computers and server room equipment need to be kept cool-even in the winter months when heat is being pumped into the building to keep the staff warm. Because there normally isn't a way for the hot air to be diverted from the server room and even less likely that a building's HVAC system allows for controlled temperatures on a room-to-room basis, the problem is a serious one.

Choosing a portable air conditioner: There are several different features to look for when comparing portable air conditioners for use in a server room. The first is the number of BTU's that the spot cooler produces. BTU's, or British Thermal Units are the metric that determines how much heat a particular portable air conditioner can displace.

In order to arrive at the number of BTU's necessary for a portable air conditioner to cool your server room, you'll need to take measurements of the room and any windows in the room, add up the total wattage for the equipment in the room, count the number of lights in the room, and document the number of regular occupants. A portable air conditioning expert can then use this data to recommend a spot cooler with the right number of BTU's to do the job. It's a good idea to get more BTU's than you need currently to handle future growth.

Monitoring the temperature: The ideal temperature for a server room is between 68 and 71 degrees. An acceptable range is between 50 and 82 degrees. Any hotter and you're risking damage to your server chips. When getting a temperature read on the room, keep in mind the number of occupants that spend most of their day in the data center or server room. A person working in the room can add a good deal of body heat, enough to displace about 400 BTU's of cooling power. Also, the current temperature outside will affect the room, as will the air conditioning or heat filling the remainder of the building.

What you'll need is a way to consistently monitor the temperature of the room to ensure that your portable air conditioner is maintaining the temperature properly. There are motoring devices that generate an alert when data center temperatures get out of range and can even point out any hotspots in the data center. Even if your portable air conditioner is doing its job on the overall temperature of the room, it's important to identify hot spots where small fans may be necessary.

The potential cost of not addressing the issue is disastrous. Imagine what your company would do tomorrow if suddenly all of your critical data was gone or inaccessible for several days. The process of brining in adequate cooling for your data center isn't a difficult one. Portable air conditioners can be rolled in and used immediately with about 20 minutes of set up time by a portable air conditioning specialist. Once your server room cooling system is set up, you can rest easy knowing that you've taken precautions to preserve your company's data.

For more information on server room cooling units, visit http://www.coldair.net.

Safe Server Room Cooling: Choosing The Right Portable Air Conditioner For Your Data Center

Even in the winter months, server rooms need the cooling power of portable air conditioners if adequate temperatures can't be reached through building's internal cooling system. In fact, the winter months present a potentially hazardous problem for server rooms. Rooms in many buildings can't be adjusted independently. So while hot air is forced through the vents to keep employees happy, temperatures in server rooms can mount to dangerously high levels. There are several different types of portable air conditioners and choosing the right one for your server room could be critical to the health of your servers.

Ventilation Portable air conditioners for server rooms need some form of ventilation. Otherwise, while cold air blows out the front, hot air will blow right out the back, keeping the overall temperature level except for the area directly in front of the unit. This doesn't mean that you need a window. Though many people imagine a boxy window portable air conditioner when they hear the term "portable air conditioner," this is not the optimal type for a server room. Not only are there more powerful units, but the reduced security of window units isn't ideal for a server room.

The right type of portable conditioners for a server rooms are those that can vent into a drop ceiling via a ventilation tube. If your server room doesn't have a ceiling adequate for ventilation, an outside wall can be modified to accommodate the small circular ventilation tube which forces out the hot air. Unlike portable air conditioners without vents, this type literally draws the hot air out of the room and forces it into another location.

BTU's BTU's or, British Thermal Units, refer to the energy units that a portable air conditioner can produce. Larger rooms need portable air conditioners with larger BTU's. Generally speaking you can use the following guidelines to determine the necessary BTU's needed to cool your room:

BTU's Square Feet 7,500: 150 9,000: 200 10,000: 250 12,000: 350 13,000: 400

Room size isn't the only consideration. In server rooms especially, the heat generated by the servers also must be taken into consideration. To determine the amount of BTU's needed to displace the heat generated by the equipment, multiply the total wattage of all equipment by 3.5. You'll also want to factor in any people who work in the room on a regular basis. To do this, multiply the number of occupants by 400.

Most suppliers of portable air conditioners also offer professional installation. Though they can be easily rolled from room to room, there is a small amount of installation required for venting the displaced air. In the past, larger portable air conditioners required complex wiring, but now some manufactures models, like the Avenger, can be used with a standard plug while still providing serious cooling power. Once installed, your portable air conditioner can run smoothly, quietly, and virtually maintenance-free for years.

For more information on portable air conditioners, visit http://www.Coldair.net

Does Running Your Car?s Air Conditioner Really Affect Gas Mileage

When it gets warm outside, your air conditioner becomes your best friend. This is most definitely true in your car, where temperatures can sky rocket to 170 degrees under direct sunlight. But most people these days are under the impression that the more you run your air conditioner the more gas your car will guzzle. Now that gas prices are higher than the cost to eat at McDonald?s, people are starting to take precautions and do what they can to help with their cars fuel economy. The assumption that running your air conditioner burns way more gas is somewhat untrue. Leaving your air conditioner off makes barely any difference in the amount of gas you burn. With the advent of modern, more fuel efficient cars, this myth is busted!

The air conditioner draws its power from the engine which uses some gas, but with today?s cars, this use of gas is minute. The air conditioner can decrease the fuel economy of your car up to 20% in some vehicles, but it depends on the type. Driving with the air conditioner is more fuel efficient than driving with the windows down. Driving with the windows down creates drag which means that your engine has to work harder to keep your car at the current speed; this burns more gas than if you just ran your air conditioner.

In the long run, using your air conditioner is far better than any other means of cooling yourself off in the car, unless you?re driving in traffic. When you drive in traffic you aren?t going very fast so the drag on the car is minimal. In these cases, you burn more fuel running the air conditioner than having the windows down. That makes sense. When you drive on the highway you can use either the air conditioner or the ?window down? method to cool yourself, because, honestly, there is no noticeable difference in gas usage at those speeds.

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Air Conditioner Buying Guides

It's that time of year again. If you don't have an air conditioner you may be thinking of getting one. If the one you do have seems to be less than adequate, it may be time for an upgrade. What should you look for? Many consider buying an air conditioner a confusing process. Why not take a minute to read up on what's available and what all those numbers mean.

Points to Remember before Buying Air Conditioner:

* First, BTU stands for British thermal units per hour. Really, all that one really needs to know about this is that the higher the BTU, the more space the air conditioner can cool efficiently.

* The aim is to get as many BTU's as necessary for sufficient cooling without getting a unit that is more than you need. As a general room of thumb, look for five to six thousand BTU's for each 100 to 300 square feet you want to cool. Consider seven thousand to eighty two hundreds BTU's for 250 to 55o sq. ft. and ninety eight hundred to twelve thousand five hundred for area that is 350 to 950 sq. Expect a standard air conditioner to cool one or two rooms.

* One of the most important steps is to consider the need and matching that to the most effective solution. Is the air conditioning needed for the entire house, or mostly for a single room? Additionally, how often will it be used? If air conditioning is only needed occasionally for a small area, a temporary in-window model might be more appropriate, as it can be removed when not necessary. On the other hand, if permanent air conditioning is needed for the entire home, a larger solution might be needed.

* With an idea of the type of air conditioner needed, it is important to consider energy costs. Air conditioners can use significant power, and some units are more energy-efficient than others. Comparing models to find one saves energy while still performing effectively can save a significant amount on monthly power bills.

* Check the labels: most list the capacity of the model in British Thermal Units (BTUs) and give an idea of how energy-efficient the unit is. The more British Thermal Units, the greater the capacity of the unit. Additionally, some utility companies offer cash incentives to customers purchasing energy-friendly appliance replacements. Energy costs can make a huge difference when considering different air conditioners.

* Of course, the price of the unit itself is a consideration as well, and it is important to shop around to get a good deal. However, the price of the unit itself should not be the only consideration. When comparing prices, it is important to factor in the cost of delivery and professional installation, if required. In some areas, product discounts and faster installation may be available in colder months when demand for air conditioners is lower.

* When properly researched, purchased and installed, shopping for an air conditioner need not be difficult. Air conditioning can make a home more comfortable as well as more appealing to some home buyers. By considering needs and shopping around for a good deal, buyers can make a smart decision.

Find more about Air Conditioner at http://www.ShoppingSoLow.com .

Vinay Choubey

Does Running Your Car's Air Conditioner Really Affect Gas Mileage

When it gets warm outside, your air conditioner becomes your best friend. This is most definitely true in your car, where temperatures can sky rocket to 170 degrees under direct sunlight. But most people these days are under the impression that the more you run your air conditioner the more gas your car will guzzle. Now that gas prices are higher than the cost to eat at McDonald's, people are starting to take precautions and do what they can to help with their cars fuel economy. The assumption that running your air conditioner burns way more gas is somewhat untrue. Leaving your air conditioner off makes barely any difference in the amount of gas you burn. With the advent of modern, more fuel efficient cars, this myth is busted!

The air conditioner draws its power from the engine which uses some gas, but with today's cars, this use of gas is minute. The air conditioner can decrease the fuel economy of your car up to 20% in some vehicles, but it depends on the type. Driving with the air conditioner is more fuel efficient than driving with the windows down. Driving with the windows down creates drag which means that your engine has to work harder to keep your car at the current speed; this burns more gas than if you just ran your air conditioner.

In the long run, using your air conditioner is far better than any other means of cooling yourself off in the car, unless you're driving in traffic. When you drive in traffic you aren't going very fast so the drag on the car is minimal. In these cases, you burn more fuel running the air conditioner than having the windows down. That makes sense. When you drive on the highway you can use either the air conditioner or the "window down" method to cool yourself, because, honestly, there is no noticeable difference in gas usage at those speeds.

Here are some tips about you and the heat in your car. Before you get into a hot car, roll down the windows and let it air out. There is nothing worse than getting into a hot car, sitting on a lava hot seat, touching a super hot steering wheel, and breathing stuffy super heated air. Your car needs some time to cool down for itself and for you. Once you believe it is cool enough to actually sit on the seat, turn on the car and run the air conditioner on recirculation. This will help the car cool down much quicker, and you can be on the road fast without sacrificing a layer of your precious skin.

So now that you know the air conditioner can be your fuel efficient friend, maybe you won't be so quick to turn it off or ignore it in favor off putting the windows down and choking on bugs. The air conditioner in your car burns much less gas than your window method, so give your air conditioner a chance and be cool in the heat.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a car wax at www.carcarewizards.com

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Air Conditioner

Your basic air conditioner continually takes air from outside, cools it, and then returns it to one or more rooms within your house. A properly installed air conditioner can cool up to fifty cubic tonnes of air each year. Read on to learn more about these remarkable machines and how they can add value to your home.

1. Choosing Your Air Conditioner

The back yard is the most common place to find a central air conditioning unit. One reason to choose a free standing unit over the more poweful central air system is that it can be brought with you when you move.

During the cooling season, clean the filter on a room air conditioner every 30 days. This lets more cool airflow into the room and reduces airborne dirt, lint and pollen. Keep your air conditioner out of direct sunlight and seal the window to reduce air leakage.

2. Both Units Can Benefit From A Cover

A solid investment is a cover for your central air system. Not only will it keep debris like snow and leaves out, but it will significantly extend the life of your unit. Some covers are also designed to minimize noise.

Don't set your thermostat to a cooler temperature setting than normal when you first turn on your air conditioner. Your home will cool no faster and you will end up wasting energy.

3. The Importance Of Changing Your Filter

Even if you don't need an air conditioner for feeling cool in the summer, you can still put one to good use. Conditioners will filter the air through, well, a filter, and this can be a great boon to anyone that has a baby, has asthma, or suffers from allergies. Dust slowly collects inside the filter that must be changed once every six months. If you do not change the filter regularly it can cause your air conditioner to not work anymore. In addition, you and your family might not be breathing clean air.

For more great air conditioner related articles and resources check out http://airconditionerplanet.info

High Velocity Air Conditioners

High velocity air conditioners work by delivering air into a room at a high velocity (roughly two feet per second). This creates air currents that circulate cooler air throughout the room or entire house.

The high velocity systems have certain advantages and disadvantages over the conventional forced air system. For example, the conventional systems moves air slowly. You really don't feel the circulation and there can be dead spaces in rooms if vents were not placed properly. High velocity systems places vents in more locations; thus, there is a more consistent airflow and temperature throughout the house. However, since conventional systems use larger ducts, more air passes through and they are silent. The high velocity systems use much smaller tubes to circulate air and are nosier. Conventional systems are also easier on your pocket, as tend to last longer because of the metal ductwork, etc. High velocity tubing deteriorates more often than metal ducts and tubing causes stress on the mechanical components of the unit.

On the plus side, conventional systems are more visible in the home than the high velocity. Conventional systems require more space because of the larger vents, and every room needs a supply and return. The high velocity unit requires much less space and can be set up in one area for the supply and return requirements. Also, the high velocity system is less expensive than the conventional one.

Finally, keep in mind that central cooling systems are not easy to install. There is generally a problem with any installation. Any errors in installation can cause major problems and a major impact on your electric bill. Make sure you get plenty of bids and pick a contractor that you have faith in. The contractor should be experienced and offer you references to check out the work that has been done.

Air Conditioning provides detailed information on Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning Repairs, Central Air Conditioning, Auto Air Conditioning and more. Air Conditioning is affiliated with Chiller Rentals.

Air Conditioner Thermostats

A thermostat is an apparatus for maintaining the temperature of a system within a particular range by directly or indirectly controlling the flow of heat energy into or out of the system. All air conditioners have thermostats that can be manually operated or automatically preprogrammed to work at regulating the room temperature. There are many ways in which you can use an air conditioner thermostat effectively.

One of the most successful yet economical ways to reduce your air conditioning costs is to adjust the thermostat setting on the air conditioner. The savings are more noteworthy when you set your thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. For each degree you raise the thermostat setting, you reduce seasonal cooling costs by 7 percent to 10 percent. In doing so, you can use ceiling fans in addition to the air conditioner and thus, save a lot of money.

Most centrally located air conditioner thermostats are equipped with two fan settings, 'on' and 'auto'. When the thermostat setting is set to 'on' the fan runs constantly and when it is set to 'auto' the fan runs only during cooling cycles when the air conditioner compressor is in use. When the air conditioner is in use all day, the cooling compressor only operates about 50 percent of the time, that is, for about 12 hours. The extra fan operating time that occurs when the thermostat is set to 'on' can add roughly $25 to monthly air conditioning bills. Using the 'auto' setting, alternatively, saves energy and money because the fan operates fewer hours. Besides achieving energy and cost savings, the 'auto' setting also promotes more comfort by offering better humidity control as moisture removed during the cooling cycle is re-circulated back into the home while the compressor is off.

Thus, thermostats play an important role in the cost and function of an AC.

Air Conditioner Rentals provides detailed information on air conditioner rentals, portable air conditioner rentals, window air conditionar rentals, RV air conditioner rentals and more. Air Conditioner Rentals is affiliated with Window Air Conditioners.

Air Conditioner Rental Costs

Air conditioning used to be seen as a luxury that few could afford. However, in recent years, rental air conditioning unit have become more affordable. Air conditioners are available on lease for those who cannot afford one throughout the year, or for those who need them for a function like a party or for any other temporary use. Renting an AC has proven to be cheaper than actually buying one.

There are many air conditioner rental companies that offer to lease a variety of air conditioners, not only for a short term but also for longer periods of time. They have an assortment of ACs that serves different purposes. The cost of renting an AC depends on a lot of things like the brand, the purpose, the type of AC, the place where it needs to be installed, as well as the rental company itself. The more famous and well known brands cost more, as do the ones that are required for a special purpose. There are many types of air conditioners including window ACs, car ACs, bedroom ACs, central ACs, etc. Of these, the central AC cost the most and takes the longest to install. They are usually hired on a long-term basis, and this increases their cost. The window AC cost the least and is usually taken on a short-term basis.

AC rentals are charged as monthly payments and a deposit must be paid before the AC is installed. This amount is refundable, and will be reimbursed when the unit is returned. However, if the AC is damaged, an amount will be deducted from the initial deposit.

Air Conditioner Rentals provides detailed information on air conditioner rentals, portable air conditioner rentals, window air conditionar rentals, RV air conditioner rentals and more. Air Conditioner Rentals is affiliated with Window Air Conditioners.

Air Conditioner Rental Advice

Air conditioners (AC) are essential in many countries. However, temporary or short-term businesses, business meetings, wedding receptions, and high school or college functions are events that might require renting air conditioners. There are a lot of rental companies that lease air conditioners for a short or long period of time and charge a monthly rental fee.

There are numerous companies that offer air conditioners to rent at discounted prices, especially during the hot summer months. It is advisable to order an air conditioner well in advance, as the demand rockets during summer. When someone contacts a rental company for cooling necessities, the rental company usually sends one of their experts to examine the room. They will then recommend the right kind of air conditioner that will cool the room. The rental company provides this service for free. The company will quote a rental fee that is usually negotiable. An official contract is signed and the air conditioner is installed

Air conditioner rental companies deal in a variety of units, such as window, split, central, portable, industrial and many more. Usually, the type of AC is determined based on the venue that needs cooling. Prices differ in accordance with the type of AC installed. Central AC costs the most, while windows units are the least expensive. Some companies charge a deposit before installation. Any damage during usage is recompensed from the deposit money. If there are no deductions, the total deposit is reimbursed on return of the unit. The rental fee depends on the length of time the AC is required and its brand. Prices usually start in the low hundreds per month.

Air Conditioner Rentals provides detailed information on air conditioner rentals, portable air conditioner rentals, window air conditionar rentals, RV air conditioner rentals and more. Air Conditioner Rentals is affiliated with Window Air Conditioners.

Air Conditioner Installation

Air conditioners have become an essential part of many households and there are a variety of air conditioners available on the market for different prices, serving different purposes and under different brand names. Buying an AC is not at all difficult, owing to the many companies selling them these days. The tougher task is the installation once the unit has been purchased.

Correct installation is very important, as it has quite a bearing on the actual effect of the air conditioner. Incorrect installation can lead to high electricity bills, poor cooling air circulation, as well as maintenance problems. Many studies have proven that air conditioners that are improperly installed reduce its capacity and efficiency by more than twenty percent. Incorrect airflow problems are another common problem with improper AC installations. In fact, appropriate air conditioner installation is one of the four elements needed to maintain an economical, efficient and comfortable cooling system.

There are four things that one must keep in mind while installing the air conditioner. First, it is important that the airflow over the fan coil unit goes through the forced air duct system in the air handler. Secondly, the refrigerant charge must be at a proper level. Third, the outdoor air supply unit must be fixed in the right place. Finally, the control system, especially the thermostat that turns the equipment on and off, must be at a hands reach. These general installation guidelines are applicable to all installations. Air conditioners come with an installation guide that should be read thoroughly and can prove to be quite an asset.

However, these days almost all companies offer to send a technician to your home or business to install the air conditioner, and it is advisable to allow an installation professional handle the work.

Air Conditioner Rentals provides detailed information on air conditioner rentals, portable air conditioner rentals, window air conditionar rentals, RV air conditioner rentals and more. Air Conditioner Rentals is affiliated with Window Air Conditioners.

EER and Air Conditioners

When considering what kind of air conditioner to purchase for your home or for a single room of your house, you will want to pay close attention to the Energy Efficiency Rating (or EER) of the different units. What is this EER that is so frequently spoken of for air conditioners and refrigerators, you ask? Such a good question should be addressed so that you can make the best possible decision for your next air conditioner.

As stated earlier, EER stands for Energy Efficiency Rating. Standardized by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, this rating reports central air conditioning efficiency at 95 degrees Fahrenheit outdoors and 80 degrees F indoors. EER is a measure of the amount of electricity needed by an air conditioner to cool a room or house to a desired level of BTU (British Thermal Units). Moreover, EER applies primarily to commercial air conditioning systems and measures the "steady-state" efficiency of air conditioners. This means that EER tells the efficiency of the air conditioner once it has already been running for a period of time (due to the fact that more energy is required to get the air conditioner started). The rating system consists a ratio of desired BTU level to wattage usage to cool to that level. For example, an air conditioner that can cool 10,000 BTU using 1000 watts would have an EER of 10. Generally speaking, a EER of 10 is the minimum of new units.

In relation to EER, another rating used by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (or SEER). SEER is only applicable to residential or consumer cooling units and is often considered to be a more correct and reliable indicator of the overall energy efficiency than the standard EER. Currently, air conditioners must have an SEER of at least 13 to be sold in the U.S. Some air conditioning units have an SEER of up to 21. Though SEER is often criticized for not taking into account the air conditioner's efficiency while under partial load, even though there is no widely available rating of residential air conditioner efficiency under partial load.

One rating system that does address the issue of partial load efficiency is the Integrated Part Load Value (or IPLV). Also developed by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, IPLV measures partial load efficiency only in commercial cooling units. Contrary to the EER, which measures commercial air conditioners at their "steady-rate", IPLV measures commercial air conditioner efficiency in a variety of conditions - namely, at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% capacity and at different temperatures.

Another rating to take into consideration is the "fleet efficiency" or "air conditioner rating". The fleet efficiency measures the aggregate efficiency of all cooling systems built by a particular brand. The fleet efficiency tells nothing about the air conditioner quality or the durability of a certain brand's air conditioners, but it will give you an idea of how much it will cost you to run an air conditioner of different air conditioners. Because it only measures efficiency, it doesn't necessarily indicate that a particular model from one brand of air conditioner outperforms any other model of air conditioner built by a different company.

When purchasing an air conditioner, whether it is a commercial, residential, or portable air conditioner, be sure to look at the yellow tags that are required by federal law to be displayed by the manufacturer. These tags show the EER of the air conditioner as well as an estimated annual operating cost for the given unit. Probably the most convenient element of the yellow EnergyGuide tag is a sliding scale which helps you compare different units easily as its EER is plainly displayed on a scale from 10 to 16.9. Consult with a qualified air conditioner technician to determine the correct capacity that you will need to cool the desired area. Also, look at many different models and brands of air conditioners to make sure you find the best possible unit for your needs.

Shawn Hart is an Internet marketing professional for Air-Conditioner-Home. For more information about portable air conditioners and refrigeration visit Air-Conditioner-Home.com.

Sizing - Part I - Air Conditioner Sizing

Summary

Air conditioner sizing means finding the air conditioner that can balance the heat gains and losses within a building. There is a famous way of sizing an AC. It is the square feet method. However, there the-also-famous Manual J method available, to size ACs accurately.

We hear a lot about air conditioner sizing, whenever we make the important choice of purchasing, or installing one. What does the word sizing really mean?

Air conditioners are designed for heat removal, or addition (if heat pump is included in the single package). Therefore, the "size" of an AC, will be specified in terms of heat removal, or addition capability.

Units that we use for air conditioner sizing, are BTU/hr (British Thermal Units per hour), Ton, and Watts. Some countries utilise one unit, more than the others, in air conditioner sizing.

It is excellent if you can remember the relationship between BTU/hr, Ton, and Watts. You can quickly gauge the AC size, in case if your friends use units - that are unfamiliar to you;

• 1 ton is equivalent to 12,000 BTU/hr. And,

• 12,000 BTU/hr is equivalent to 3,516 Watts - or 3.516 kW (kilo-Watts).

Concept and fundamental of air conditioner sizing

It is based on heat gain, and/or losses in a building. It is obvious that you will need to remove the amount of heat gain into your house - if it is hot outside. Similarly, you'll need to add in the heat loss from your house - if outside temperature is cold.

In short, heat gain and loss, must be equally balanced by heat removal, and addition, to get the desired room comfort that we want.

What determines the amount of heat removal and/or addition that we want?

It is determined by,

• the temperature difference between outside temperature, and our desired temperature. It is common sense that if you want a cool room, in a very hot climate, you'll need to remove a lot of heat. On the other hand, it does not take much to maintain a cool room, on a mild day

• the construction material, and arrangement of your building. Let's say, that you have two identical houses. One is build out of glass, and the other out of brick, and well insulated.

  Of course the one built with glass would require much more heat addition, or removal, compared to the other - given a same day.

  Two identical house, with different orientation with respect to the direction of sun rise and fall, will also influence the air conditioner sizing

• the surface area of the walls. The larger the surface area - the more heat that can loose, or gain through it. Hence, effects the AC size that you would need

• infiltration plays a part in determining our air conditioner sizing. Door gaps, cracked windows, chimneys - are the "doorways" for air to enter from outside, into your living space. Only you know how frustrating it can get, to feel a draft of chill, or hot air from outside

• activities and other equipment within a building. Cooking? Hot bath? Is it a gymnasium with a lot of intense exercise?

• the occupants. It takes a lot to cool a town hall full of people, doesn't it? Oh yes, we generate heat.

Square feet method?

You might have heard about the square feet method in air conditioner sizing. In fact, it is used often by many contractors, that we sometimes use it arbitrarily. This method have been generalised, and simplified by contractors, from sizing many ACs.

The most common relationship is, "1 ton for every 500 square feet of floor area". This method might work for a contractor, working in a small area, with similar type of houses or buildings, and similar wall material.

But, the relationship will not work, if you change the wall construction type, or if you move into a different area, with different climate. Simply said, this method of air conditioner sizing will only work for a confined group of building, in a given area.

However, this is method is reasonably useful for installing window, small split, or portable air conditioners.

Manual J

Now, this is the way we should do air conditioner sizing. Manual J is a database, with methodologies, formulas and guide for sizing and AC. This manual has been developed by ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) - with regular reviews.

It will provide you with necessary data for heat gain and heat loss calculations. Wall construction, building orientation, infiltration, shading, number of occupants, the temperature you would like to set, outside temperatures, are among the most important values it will look for, for proper air conditioner sizing.

This is indeed, an extensive manual, which is used by certified and experienced air conditioning contractors.

Manual J is just a tool. The important things are, the values that are put in it. If we put in accurate values, then our results will be come accurate. Otherwise, it's not going to help much.

What are amongst the important information, you should have for air conditioner sizing using Manual J? These are,

• required temperature range within your space,

• approximate temperature distribution within your area, to find out the number of months you have winter, summer, and mild weathers,

• wall surface area and material. Window surface area,

• any tinted window? Any insulated space?

• how many person is going to live within each space?

• what are the activities carried out throughout any day? How much cooking? How much of hot water utilisation?

• orientation of your building, with respect to the sun's rise and fall direction, and,

• sources of infiltration

Part II or air conditioner sizing is coming soon...
Provides information on air conditioners and air conditioning in her site,
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Mechanical Air Conditioners - Part II - Air Conditioner Parts

Summary

This article on air conditioner parts is an expansion of "Part I - Operating Principle". It provides simple information on main, auxiliary, and control elements that make up a functional mechanical AC.

Part II of Mechanical Air Conditioners' article is here!

This article is an extension to "Mechanical Air Conditioners - Part I - Operating Principle", and I will be talking about AC parts used in mechanical air conditioners.

Air conditioner parts that we put into a mechanical AC, should conform to the operating principle. Air conditioning parts for this type of equipment are divided into three categories. The,

• main and compulsory parts. This category is mandatory, otherwise, a mechanical air conditioner will not function at all

• the support parts, to ensure that the air conditioning equipment last long, and function effectively, and,

• the control parts, for improving efficiency of the equipment, and maintaining your comfort and bills - at optimum level

Main air conditioner parts

There are six parts in this category. Let's explore them one by one,

• The compressor

  Used for compressing refrigerant into high pressure gas into the condenser, and pulling in low pressure gas from the evaporator. The high pressure and low pressure is created by the compressor.

  Common compressors used are piston type, scroll, and rotary compressors

• Condenser and evaporator

  These are simple finned heat exchangers. These air conditioner parts, are formed using a serpentine shaped copper (or aluminium) tube, with aluminium fins.

  Although the functions are different, the operating principle of these parts is the same. To encourage heat exchange between the refrigerant and air.

  Condenser will function to liquefy high pressure refrigerant. Evaporator will function to completely boil low pressure refrigerant, into low pressure gas

• Expansion device

  Common expansion devices are either capillary tube, OR thermostatic expansion valve. The function is to allow pressure build up from the compressor, and allow for refrigerant to expand into low pressure zone. This air conditioning part will also allow for boiling to start

• Tube

  Tubes are air conditioner parts that has no moving parts. The main function is to direct refrigerant flow, and contain refrigerant within the AC. Common tube material is either copper, or aluminium

• Refrigerant

  Air conditioners would not be able to cool, or heat anything without a refrigerant. Therefore, this part is essential. Refrigerant is used for absorbing (at evaporator), and expelling (at condenser) heat.

  Common refrigerant type used in mechanical ACs are the HCFC (hydro-chloro-fluoro-carbon), and HFC (hydro-fluoro-carbon)

• Fans and blowers

  Fans are placed at the condenser, and blowers are placed at the evaporator - to aid heat exchange. Blowers will also provide better air circulation within your house - and these supply with cool air to you, from the evaporator

Support air conditioning parts

These are conditioner parts provide the protection to the main parts, such that those will last long, and operate reliably. The list,

• Filter dryer receiver

  Functions to filter small particles from the compressor, remove moisture within the refrigerant, and in some cases, acts as a receiver to supply full liquid column (without bubbles) to the expansion valve.

  It is placed before the expansion valve, and after the compressor

• Filters

  What more can I say. Air conditioner filters will prevent dust, and other particles from clogging up the evaporator. Of course, you'll have to clean or replace it periodically

• Tube insulation

  Is the simplest air conditioning part and utilised in refrigerant return line. This part will prevent icing, and condensation on the refrigerant return line.

  Essentially, it will keep the refrigerant from evaporator cold, and allow for better cooling of compressor. Additionally, you'll save on utility bills

• Muffler

  As the sound deadening air conditioner part, placed at the outlet line of the compressor

• Casing

  Well, to make sure you can transport main sections (condensing unit and evaporating unit) in simple packages, and used to protect sensitive and main air conditioner parts

Control AC parts

These air conditioner parts are more like the "essential accessories" for any mechanical air conditioner. Here we go,

• Thermostat and humidistat

  The former AC part is used for controlling the temperature, and the latter for controlling the humidity. Thermostat is used in ALL ACs, but not humidistat. However, the inclusion of humidistat into the system in conjunction with thermostat is common in central ACs

• Contactor

  Is and electrical component used to control the switching on, and off of compressors, fans, and blowers.

• Dampers

  Dampers are used in central ACs, to control flow of air, such that you'll get the right comfort from the air conditioning equipment. Dampers is almost vital in central ACs, as it is difficult to balance heat gain and loss requirement in each room - from a single condensing-evaporating central unit

Hope you've got the general idea of what are the general air conditioner parts in any mechanical air conditioning equipment. You can also read on the details in this page.

TS Mohamed Rasied,
Provides information on air conditioners and air conditioning in her site,
http://www.air-conditioner-selection.com/
by subscription on this page

Mechanical Air Conditioners - Part I - Operating Principle

Mechanical air conditioners form the largest population of AC in this world. This article will go through the simple operating principles of this AC type. Additionally, we'll also go through other AC types used in commercial world. Namely, these are gas absorption, steam based, and thermoelectric units.

Common ACs, that we see almost everywhere on this globe, is actually, the mechanical type of AC unit. If we were to be very meticulous in the naming structure, we would have called it Mechanical ACs.

However, we just name it as air conditioner, or ACs, and everyone understands it.

One should not confuse the term between, air conditioning, and AC. Air conditioning means altering temperature, humidity, air filtration, movement and mixing. Whilst ACs are the equipment used to alter the temperature and humidity - in one package.

There are four types of ACs available for us. The,

• gas absorption AC,

• steam based AC,

• thermoelectric AC, and

• the mechanical AC

The first three AC types are mainly (if not totally) used in industrial applications. We'll go through the air conditioner operation, briefly, before concentrating on mechanical air conditioners.

Gas absorption AC

Uses, water as its refrigerant. The system uses the principle of vacuum, to encourage boiling of water at very low temperature. The water will be passed through cooling coil, for producing cool air.

Lithium bromide will be used as the absorption (or recovery) medium, once the water has passed through the cooling coil.

Steam based ACs

Is similar to gas absorption units, but it uses the brute power of steam, and venturi, to reduce the pressure of water (which is the refrigerant).

Water at low pressure will boil at low temperature, and becomes a refrigerant.

Thermoelectric AC

This AC uses the principle of thermocouple to attain heating and cooling effects at the same time. The beauty of this system lies in its simplicity of construction.

It uses electrical power, and thermocouple. As the electricity flows through the circuit, you'll get a hot region, and a cold region. Talk about killing two birds with one stone.

However, the major limitation of this concept is that, it can only produce a small cooling or heating effect, compared to other air conditioners.

Mechanical Air Conditioners

It is named mechanical, as it requires the continuous act of refrigerant compression for cooling, or heating effect. This concept was thought by Willis Haviland Carrier, when he created the first mechanical air conditioner.

Special refrigerant are used in order to achieve this. These are known as CFCs (already banned), HCFCs and, HFCs. Why use these? Because of very low boiling temperatures, at ambient pressure.

Details of this air conditioner operation,

• a compression process is required to raise the pressure of refrigerant. When this happens, you can liquefy the refrigerant (through condensation) easily,

• this is followed by refrigerant condensation. Condensation happens through heat exchange between refrigerant, and air (or water),

• an expansion device (or valve) will be placed after the condenser. This is a device to allow for pressure build up from compressor. This is also, the place where refrigerant will evaporate into low pressure region.

  When this happens refrigerant will start to boil at very low temperatures,

• finally, the refrigerant will be passed through another heat exchanger - to complete the boiling process. Heat exchange happens between air and refrigerant

• this process repeats at the compression side

Those are the processes involved in achieving cool air, through mechanical air conditioners - through continuous "supply" of refrigerant at low temperatures.

Part II is coming soon...

TS Mohamed Rasied,
Provides information on air conditioners and air conditioning in her site,
http://www.air-conditioner-selection.com/
 

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3 Great Reasons To Buy A Portable Air Conditioner

1. Oprah said so.

2. It looks like the robot from ?Lost In Space?.

3. Brad and Angelina are adopting one.

For those of you who make your decisions based on real information, here are some cool portable air conditioner facts.

A goldmine of enlightening information can be uncovered by visiting forums. For instance, when I wanted to tap into the experiences of actual portable air conditioner owners, all I had to do was Google ?portable air conditioner forums? and Voila!, I had instant access to pages of relevant information from 3 different forums.

I encourage you to try this technique. Just substitute any generic product or service description for ?portable air conditioners? plus the word ?forums?.

What I uncovered was concerns over energy consumption, how energy consumption impacts circuit load, noise level, venting, the disposal of water from the dehumidifying process, and of course, price.

Energy Consumption

In the United States, the average air conditioner runs 750 hours each year. Since air conditioners use a lot of electricity, their efficiency has become a public issue. The EER, or Energy Efficiency Rating, is the ratio of the Btu's per hour to the number of watts the unit draws.

EER ratings of 7 or 8 are at the low end of energy efficiency. Many units have ratings around 12 which are good. The highest rated portable air conditioner I could find was the Amcor AL10000E. It has an awesome EER of 16.6.

Energy Consumption and Circuit Load

Before you start your search for a portable air conditioner, check your breaker box for the number of amps available to the room you want cooled. If you buy a unit that draws 14.5 amps on a 15 amp circuit, you?ll have the additional but unintended cooling effect of sitting in the dark while enjoying your new portable air conditioner.

Noise Level

Most portable air conditioners that deliver 14,000 Btu?s or less have a noise level around 50 decibels. This is comparable to the loudness of most refrigerators. At 60 decibels, a 16,000 Btu unit is slightly noisier. Think of what it?s like to watch TV in the kitchen while the fridge is running.

Venting

There is some controversy as to whether a dual hose unit is superior to the single hose configuration. On one hand, a single hose unit will exhaust from the room some portion of the cool air it just produced.

On the other hand, a dual hose unit eliminates this problem, but the warmer unconditioned air used to cool their compressors results in slightly less efficiency. They also use two internal fans which result in slightly higher energy usage.

Another hot topic at the forums that people are venting about is having to wrap insulation around the hose of their single hose unit. This is done to prevent the hot exhaust hose from adding heat back into the room. Personally, I can?t think of anything better than duct tape wrapped around insulation to brighten up a room.

Water Water Everywhere

Portable air conditioners offer three methods for disposing of the water extracted by the dehumidifier component.

The most convenient is auto evaporation which eliminates the need for drains or reservoirs. The reliability of this method varies from unit to unit.

The second method is direct drain using a hose attached to the unit. This can be problematic unless the unit is located near a floor drain. Not much chance of that, so you?ll have to use a bucket.

And finally, you get to empty the pan yourself. Just make sure the pan is large enough so the air conditioner doesn?t shut off in the middle of the night when the pan fills up.

Price

I think price is a secondary consideration to efficiency. As usual, a higher priced unit that operates more efficiently will always end up costing less in the long run than a cheaper, less efficient model.

Portable air conditioners are much less efficient than comparable window units and cost roughly twice as much. What you're paying for is the flexibility to roll it from one room to another or into a closet for easy storage.

Another Option to Consider

For the price of a portable air conditioner you might be able to buy a window air conditioner AND a new window to put it in.
http://www.alternative-heating-info.com alternative heating and cooling for the home, pellet burning stoves, radiant home heating systems, solar heating systems, geothermal heating and cooling.

The Essential Guide To Buying And Maintaining An Air Conditioner

Central air conditioners take air from the outside and filter it while simultaneously letting the old air out. The more powerful versions of this item are so powerful that they have to be kept away from children or else they might get hurt. The reason they are so powerful is to provide air to multiple rooms at once.

1. Thinking About Choosing A Free Standing Or Central Unit

One of the major benefits of using a central air system over a free standing system is that the outdoors nature of the unit means you will have much lower noise levels inside your home. Of course, being outside carries with it added concerns - you will need to keep the unit free of snow and other obstructions in order for it to work properly. It also is considerably more expensive than a free standing unit.

2. Should You Get A Cover For Your Air Conditioner?

A solid investment is a cover for your central air system. Not only will it keep debris like snow and leaves out, but it will significantly extend the life of your unit. They also keep dust and small insects away from the body of the air conditioner and its different components. Some better-quality Covers can also absorb the vibration of the air conditioner, and reduce the noise it creates.

3. Changing Your Filter Is Essential

If you suffer from allergies, have a baby, or have trouble sleeping at night, you might want to consider getting an air conditioner even if you don't have trouble staying cool during summertime. As a thin layer of dust appears on the filter it becomes more difficult for the machine to pass air through. Eventually it will become so difficult that the machine will break down. For this reason, and the health of your family, it is an excellent idea to change the filter as often as you can.
For more great air conditioner related articles and resources check out http://topairconditioners.info