University of San Carlos Department of Mechanical Engineering Nasipit, Talamban, Cebu City

A Report on AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT

In partial fulfillment of the requirements in ME 310 Basic Mechanical Engineering

Submitted by: Go, Wilmer Jan Gonzaga, Mark Daniel Hipe, Mary Danielle

Submitted to: Engr. Van Gaitano Vergara

I. Introduction Technology aims to make human life easier, resulting to more comfort. Air conditioners are just one example of those inventions which provide comfort. As the name suggests, they condition the air to more favorable conditions. Air conditioners around the world vary in mechanism, but what will be discussed here are the types used in the Philippines. II. History

III. Scope Air conditioning is the process of altering the properties of air (primarily temperature and humidity) to more favorable conditions.

More generally, air conditioning can refer to any form of technological cooling, heating, ventilation, or disinfection that modifies the condition of air. An air conditioner (often referred to as air con, AC or A/C, and not to be confused with the abbreviation for alternating current) is a major or appliance, system, or mechanism designed to change the air temperature and humidity within an area (used for cooling and sometimes heating depending on the air properties at a given time). The cooling is typically done using a simple refrigeration cycle, but sometimes evaporation is used, commonly for comfort cooling in buildings and motor vehicles. In construction, a complete system of heating, ventilation and air conditioning is referred to as "HVAC".

Types of Air conditioners: There are three major types of air condition in the Philippines. 1.) Window and through-wall Window air conditioner is the most commonly used air conditioner for single rooms. In this air conditioner all the components, namely the compressor, condenser, expansion valve or coil, evaporator and cooling coil are enclosed in a single box. This unit is fitted in a slot made in the wall of the room, or more commonly a window sill.

Room air conditioners come in two forms: unitary and packaged terminal (PTAC) systems. Unitary systems, the common one room air conditioners, sit in a window or wall opening, with interior controls. PTAC systems are also known as wall-split air conditioning systems or ductless systems, commonly used in hotels and apartment buildings. One characteristic of PTACs is that condensate drain piping is not required because the condensate water extracted from the air by the evaporator coil is drawn by the condenser fan onto the condenser coil surface where it evaporates. The first practical through the wall air conditioning unit was invented by engineers at Chrysler Motors and offered for sale starting in 1935.

Advantages: Easy to install and easy to remove Cheap

Disadvantages Can only condition relatively small spaces Physical appearance Noise

2.) Split systems The split air conditioner comprises of two parts: the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. The outdoor unit, fitted outside the room, houses components like the compressor, condenser and expansion valve. The indoor unit comprises the evaporator or cooling coil and the cooling fan. For this unit you dont have to make any slot in the wall of the room. Further, present day split units have aesthetic appeal and do not take up as much space as a window unit. A split air conditioner can be used to cool one or two rooms.

Advantages: No need to make a slot in the wall (thus, more physically appealing) Can cool larger areas (up to four zones/rooms)

Disadvantages: More costly in terms of cooling capacity (twice than the window type and 30% more than the central type) 3.) Central Air Conditioning (centralized air condition) Central (ducted) air conditioning offers whole house or largecommercial-space cooling, and often offers moderate multi-zone

temperature control capability by the addition of air-louver-control boxes.

Advantages: Cost efficient in cooling very large areas or multiple rooms (compared to having several window or split system air conditioners) Good at maintaining constant temperature

Disadvantages: 30% of the energy used is wasted through the ductwork Cannot control the temperature on a room-to-room basis

Advantages and disadvantages of Air conditioners in general What are the Advantages of Air Conditioners?

Comfort You dont have to worry about being hot and sweaty if the AC is working.

Bugs You can keep windows and doors closed to decrease the risk of bugs, mosquitoes, bees, etc.

Security With your windows and doors safely closed and locked you dont have to worry about intruders coming in as easily. Of course, thats not an absolute protection guarantee, but it helps not to have to have the windows open.

Noise This is kind of a two-fold benefit. The ability to keep your windows closed will prevent outside noises from disturbing your sleep and/or concentration. Also, if you have a newer unit there is relatively no noise from the unit interiorly and your home will be nice and quiet inside.

Improved efficiency Human beings get slower and less efficient when the temperatures get too high. Brainpower can get sluggish and lead to decreased productivity. So if you want to keep the computer and the human computer cogs churning, AC is a good thing to have on board to prevent overheating.

Health Some people are heat intolerant. Patients with certain heart disease and/or lung diseases could be greatly impacted and harmed by not having air conditioning.

What are the Disadvantages of Air Conditioners? Expense The expense of installing air conditioning and then the expense of the electric bill can be a deterrent and a disadvantage. The cost of air conditioning installation can range anywhere from a couple hundred dollars too many thousands of dollars depending on type and size of air conditioning unit. The cost to run air conditioning will vary according to multiple variables.

Outdoor temperature size of home insulation thermostat setting

Heat Intolerance The continuous physical exposure to low temperatures will lead to physiological changes in the body which will decrease the bodys ability to adjust to high outdoor temperatures. This could lead to heat stroke, headaches, and possibly to increased susceptibility to other illnesses. Obesity and/or Laziness - Because people become more accustomed to cooler temperatures they are less inclined to want to go outdoors. This can lead to laziness, obesity, and impaired health.

IV. Conclusion It is no doubt that the air conditioner is a wonderful invention. It is a basic commodity for the family of middle class and above, thus the importance to familiarize its technical aspect. And although air conditioners around the world vary in mechanism, they all have one purpose: to provide comfort.

V. References http://infochamp.hubpages.com/hub/Advantages-Disadvantages-ofAir-Conditioner https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_conditioning http://www.aelag.com.au/air-conditioning-types http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/history-of-the-air-conditioner http://www.amana-ptac.com/Home/HeatingCooling101/tabid/ 191/Default.aspx http://www.brighthubengineering.com/hvac/897-types-of-airconditioning-systems/ http://mitsubishicomfortdealers.com/info/ductless-or-central-air