According to Tony Nielsen Product & Marketing Manager at FG Eurofred, it doesn't matter how efficient an air conditioning system is, "if it isn't reliable, all other considerations go out of the window".
"An end user or installer will have many criteria on the agenda when choosing an air con system which will certainly include capital cost; efficiency; aesthetic design; noise levels; physical size, etc. But, if we get right back to basics, the two most important aspects for customer satisfaction are reliability and service," says Nielsen, who argues that these two aspects are the cornerstones on which great supplier/customer relationships are built.
"Reliability is one of the most important selection criteria for specifiers and installers. The last thing they want is to be forever revisiting a job to put right inadequacies in the equipment. They want to be able to install the equipment, commission it - and move on to the next job. They want to fit and forget.
"End-users will have made significant investment in the whole installation and they want to be assured that their new air con system is going to be trouble free for many years to come because it is engineered to be reliable.
"Nowadays the end user is far more knowledgeable and, thanks to the internet, is doing a lot more research before committing to buying anything and that includes heating and ventilation products.
"Installers judge on problems. Just imagine you have a car that keeps breaking down. When you come to replace it you are not going to go with that make again. You will shop around, listen to owners with good experiences of other brands and try something else. It is exactly the same with air conditioning so it is of the utmost importance that as manufacturers we supply products and systems which are 100 per cent reliable and fit for purpose," says Nielsen.
Manufacturers now have to offer more choice than ever before to satisfy consumers' demands: as a result of this trend end users can now choose between floor standing, wall, ceiling or window mounted, ceiling cassette or discreet ducted air conditioning systems as opposed to the old days (not so long ago) when they just took what they were given. Nowadays, engineering is at its highest level of reliability with on-board computer technology enhancing performance output.
"Air conditioning is not a luxury in business these days, it has become a necessity: a unit breaking down can have a catastrophic effect on a business or organisation. More and more offices are suffering from high heat loads generated by IT and telecommunications equipment. Reliable air conditioners can improve working conditions by providing a flow of cool air throughout the space improving working conditions of the staff and safeguarding valuable equipment from overheating. It is yet another example of where reliability is absolutely essential," adds Nielsen.
Specifiers and buyers will be looking for environmentally friendly refrigerant and state-of- the-art inverter technology for superb energy efficient performance. Manufacturers are being kept on their toes, with constant research & development programmes to devise ways to manufacture smaller, quieter, more powerful units with inherent reliability.
"These are very tough trading times for everybody. At the end of the day, the last thing anyone needs is unreliable product: it has to returns very good value for money and be extremely reliable," says Nielsen.
"Reliability goes hand in hand with after-sales support and service. It is important that any national service department is comprised of engineers with in depth experience and extensive knowledge of their product," says Nielsen. "They are there to provide support to installer partners with either advice over the phone or hands-on assistance. The combination of product knowledge and expertise means whatever the circumstances, it will be a fast fix.
"Only by listening and responding to customers' wishes and providing that vital component - reliability - can a manufacturer succeed in the present climate and beyond," says Nielsen.
Showing posts with label installer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label installer. Show all posts
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Air Conditioning energy efficiency has never been more important
Energy efficiency has never been more important. Every business has a need for it, every government has an agenda for it, and every vendor wants to tell you how they build it into their products. As manufacturers of some of the most efficient air-conditioning units on the market, Fujitsu knows more than most about energy efficiency. But it occurred to us that it is not just about the products. Every installer, specifier, contractor and architect is now expected to help tenants and users to get the most efficient use out of their air-conditioning systems. And there are a number of ways in which efficiency can be improved. So we have put together a short summary of the key factors that can affect the efficiency of your air conditioning. If this is the first time you have really considered this issue, we hope this will be a really useful guide and perhaps something of an eye opener to how energy efficiency works in the air-conditioning world. On the other hand, if you are an experienced HVAC practitioner, you will nevertheless appreciate a checklist to make sure you are covering every option and achieving the best levels of efficiency for your customers.
Energy efficiency can be impaired or improved (depending on your viewpoint) by a number of factors, including the following:
1. Planning ahead
It is always worth ‘planning ahead’ when considering the air conditioning of a space. Is it going to be for open plan usage or will it be zoned at a later date?
Where will the equipment be sited?
What is the future usage going to be?
Consideration of all these points will assist in selecting the right air-conditioning equipment for the application intended. Smaller ducted units will allow for future zoning of the space, whereas cassette type indoor units will restrict this. Spare a thought for the location of the indoor and outdoor units since excessive pipe runs should be avoided as a severe drop off in performance will be experienced. If considering the use of heat recovery VRF systems, try and create a balance of indoor
units that require heating with that of indoor units requiring cooling, in addition to giving consideration to building diversity. Always provide suitable service access for engineers to carry out effective system maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
2. Selection/sizing
Correct sizing and selection of air-conditioning equipment is key to achieving optimum energy efficiency. Over-sizing in itself doesn’t render the system operationally inefficient. However, increased power consumption over the lifetime of the system can prove otherwise. Alternatively, under-sizing the system can result in excessive operation during normal system lifetime and can cause premature failure. Of course, where possible, select A/A rated equipment with the latest in DC inverter technology. Ensure consideration is given to using the correct UK design criteria when choosing equipment, as nominal capacities normally quoted within manufacturers’ literature can result in the incorrect sizing of the equipment. It is also important to adhere to the manufacturers’ recommended pipe sizes and maximum pipe lengths as system capacity will reduce significantly if these are exceeded
3. Control/set point
The most energy-efficient air conditioning systems installed in any application can be rendered energy inefficient if not controlled in the correct manner. Most of today’s control options can greatly increase the efficiency of an air-conditioning system. Control of operation times and set-point temperatures are the most basic and fundamental of control functions that will enhance system efficiency. However, depending upon size and type of air conditioning system installed, more sophisticated
control systems should be considered so that additional functions such as ‘night set back’, centralised set-point control and occupation detection facilities can be utilised to improve operation. It is always worth asking users how they expect to use the space that is to be air conditioned. Also consider options available on air conditioning systems, such as Energy Saving and Economy modes. Always be aware of the competition by users to either have the maximum heating temperature set point compared to the lowest cooling set point. Centralised control should be considered for this instance as constant adjustment of the set point will only result in erratic operation of the system and a reduced level of efficiency, not to mention the most
uncomfortable conditioned space. Finally, avoid the possibility of independent systems ‘fighting’ against each other whilst in different operating modes, ie one system heating whilst another is cooling in the same space.
4. Refrigerant charge
Paying attention to refrigerant charge is important for any air-conditioning system. Undercharging will result in the starvation of refrigerant within the system, in turn reducing the ability of the refrigerant to absorb the required amount of energy to satisfy the heating or cooling demand of the conditioned space. Operation times will subsequently increase and defrost cycles will become more frequent creating higher risk of system failure and reduced capacity and space temperature control. If a system is undercharged, always check for leaks within the pipe work and equipment and repair or replace as necessary before re-charging. Also be aware that some refrigeration systems may also be subject to routine leakage testing requirements
under the F-gas regulation (EC Regulation No. 842/2006 on Certain Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases).Frequently, these issues stem from poorly planned installation in the first place that make inspection and maintenance difficult or even impossible. If the filter or coils cannot be inspected or cleaned, the system’s efficiency will be dramatically reduced as the airflow across the coils becomes restricted. Over time this will result in costly repairs to the condenser as the compressor will inevitably fail.
5. Insulation
Poorly insulated and/or damaged insulation on pipe work breaks the vapour seal flowing condensation to form on the pipe. This condensation can soak into the insulation destroying the thermal insulation properties. The resulting exposed pipes will decrease the system’s efficiency. Many split system expansion devices are located in the outdoor unit and poorly insulated pipe work can affect the efficiency of the air conditioning system. Exposed pipes will act like a heat exchanger and absorb or reject energy before the refrigerant reaches the indoor or outdoor unit
reducing the performance of the air conditioning system. Always ensure pipe work insulation is of the correct quality and standard as recommended by the manufacture and/or in line with good refrigeration installation practice.
6. Servicing and access
Too often, system maintenance is neglected – and even the most efficient air-conditioning systems will not fulfil their operating potential if not serviced
regularly. Regular maintenance checks will ensure your air-conditioning system operates as efficiently as possible. Energy consumption can increase by as
much as 60% as a result of replacing poorly maintained or dirty components. Simple routine maintenance such as checking and cleaning fans, filters, coils/heat exchangers and any associated ductwork will maintain system efficiency.
Frequently, poor planning with regards to system location makes it impossible for service engineers to gain safe and suitable access to units on routine maintenance visits. Reference should always be made to the manufacturer’s recommendations to
location and service space requirements as detailed within installation and maintenance manuals.
7. Air distribution
Good air distribution is key to an effective and efficient air-conditioning system. Where applicable, particular attention must be paid to effective and correct ductwork design so as not to impair airflow over the system. Consider the distribution of air into the conditioned space. Avoid ‘dead zones’ and draughts as they may lead to the occupants using the controls erratically. Always consider the usage of the space
and the furnishing within the space to avoid any possible ‘short circuiting’ of airflow.
8. Usage & the people factor
Understanding how and when to use your airconditioner is also a pre-requisite for energy efficiency. Basic functions such as fan speed and louvre angle can be adjusted to improve efficiency. Use external shading to reduce the amount of light/
heat entering a space, and louvres can be retrofitted to buildings to provide shade during summer whilst allowing lower winter sun to penetrate the area. Blinds can also be angled to reduce solar heat gains whilst reflecting light onto walls and ceilings to reduce demand for electric lighting. While these are all things you can do to boost efficiency, all this work can be undone by the ‘human factor’ – ie if occupants leave doors and windows open.
The answer is not usually to issue a set of rules, but to encourage staff involvement by demonstrating how they can be more in control of their own environment. Explain how thermostats operate and give guidance on recommended operating temperatures and on how to set heating or cooling units correctly. Display instructions on individual
units and ensure that remote controls are accessible. It has also been observed that where other energysaving measures are in place [eg PIR-activated lighting], users are more aware of their responsibilities and react by being less wasteful. This is more a people issue than a technical one, but vital to the overall performance and efficiency of a system.
Energy efficiency can be impaired or improved (depending on your viewpoint) by a number of factors, including the following:
1. Planning ahead
It is always worth ‘planning ahead’ when considering the air conditioning of a space. Is it going to be for open plan usage or will it be zoned at a later date?
Where will the equipment be sited?
What is the future usage going to be?
Consideration of all these points will assist in selecting the right air-conditioning equipment for the application intended. Smaller ducted units will allow for future zoning of the space, whereas cassette type indoor units will restrict this. Spare a thought for the location of the indoor and outdoor units since excessive pipe runs should be avoided as a severe drop off in performance will be experienced. If considering the use of heat recovery VRF systems, try and create a balance of indoor
units that require heating with that of indoor units requiring cooling, in addition to giving consideration to building diversity. Always provide suitable service access for engineers to carry out effective system maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
2. Selection/sizing
Correct sizing and selection of air-conditioning equipment is key to achieving optimum energy efficiency. Over-sizing in itself doesn’t render the system operationally inefficient. However, increased power consumption over the lifetime of the system can prove otherwise. Alternatively, under-sizing the system can result in excessive operation during normal system lifetime and can cause premature failure. Of course, where possible, select A/A rated equipment with the latest in DC inverter technology. Ensure consideration is given to using the correct UK design criteria when choosing equipment, as nominal capacities normally quoted within manufacturers’ literature can result in the incorrect sizing of the equipment. It is also important to adhere to the manufacturers’ recommended pipe sizes and maximum pipe lengths as system capacity will reduce significantly if these are exceeded
3. Control/set point
The most energy-efficient air conditioning systems installed in any application can be rendered energy inefficient if not controlled in the correct manner. Most of today’s control options can greatly increase the efficiency of an air-conditioning system. Control of operation times and set-point temperatures are the most basic and fundamental of control functions that will enhance system efficiency. However, depending upon size and type of air conditioning system installed, more sophisticated
control systems should be considered so that additional functions such as ‘night set back’, centralised set-point control and occupation detection facilities can be utilised to improve operation. It is always worth asking users how they expect to use the space that is to be air conditioned. Also consider options available on air conditioning systems, such as Energy Saving and Economy modes. Always be aware of the competition by users to either have the maximum heating temperature set point compared to the lowest cooling set point. Centralised control should be considered for this instance as constant adjustment of the set point will only result in erratic operation of the system and a reduced level of efficiency, not to mention the most
uncomfortable conditioned space. Finally, avoid the possibility of independent systems ‘fighting’ against each other whilst in different operating modes, ie one system heating whilst another is cooling in the same space.
4. Refrigerant charge
Paying attention to refrigerant charge is important for any air-conditioning system. Undercharging will result in the starvation of refrigerant within the system, in turn reducing the ability of the refrigerant to absorb the required amount of energy to satisfy the heating or cooling demand of the conditioned space. Operation times will subsequently increase and defrost cycles will become more frequent creating higher risk of system failure and reduced capacity and space temperature control. If a system is undercharged, always check for leaks within the pipe work and equipment and repair or replace as necessary before re-charging. Also be aware that some refrigeration systems may also be subject to routine leakage testing requirements
under the F-gas regulation (EC Regulation No. 842/2006 on Certain Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases).Frequently, these issues stem from poorly planned installation in the first place that make inspection and maintenance difficult or even impossible. If the filter or coils cannot be inspected or cleaned, the system’s efficiency will be dramatically reduced as the airflow across the coils becomes restricted. Over time this will result in costly repairs to the condenser as the compressor will inevitably fail.
5. Insulation
Poorly insulated and/or damaged insulation on pipe work breaks the vapour seal flowing condensation to form on the pipe. This condensation can soak into the insulation destroying the thermal insulation properties. The resulting exposed pipes will decrease the system’s efficiency. Many split system expansion devices are located in the outdoor unit and poorly insulated pipe work can affect the efficiency of the air conditioning system. Exposed pipes will act like a heat exchanger and absorb or reject energy before the refrigerant reaches the indoor or outdoor unit
reducing the performance of the air conditioning system. Always ensure pipe work insulation is of the correct quality and standard as recommended by the manufacture and/or in line with good refrigeration installation practice.
6. Servicing and access
Too often, system maintenance is neglected – and even the most efficient air-conditioning systems will not fulfil their operating potential if not serviced
regularly. Regular maintenance checks will ensure your air-conditioning system operates as efficiently as possible. Energy consumption can increase by as
much as 60% as a result of replacing poorly maintained or dirty components. Simple routine maintenance such as checking and cleaning fans, filters, coils/heat exchangers and any associated ductwork will maintain system efficiency.
Frequently, poor planning with regards to system location makes it impossible for service engineers to gain safe and suitable access to units on routine maintenance visits. Reference should always be made to the manufacturer’s recommendations to
location and service space requirements as detailed within installation and maintenance manuals.
7. Air distribution
Good air distribution is key to an effective and efficient air-conditioning system. Where applicable, particular attention must be paid to effective and correct ductwork design so as not to impair airflow over the system. Consider the distribution of air into the conditioned space. Avoid ‘dead zones’ and draughts as they may lead to the occupants using the controls erratically. Always consider the usage of the space
and the furnishing within the space to avoid any possible ‘short circuiting’ of airflow.
8. Usage & the people factor
Understanding how and when to use your airconditioner is also a pre-requisite for energy efficiency. Basic functions such as fan speed and louvre angle can be adjusted to improve efficiency. Use external shading to reduce the amount of light/
heat entering a space, and louvres can be retrofitted to buildings to provide shade during summer whilst allowing lower winter sun to penetrate the area. Blinds can also be angled to reduce solar heat gains whilst reflecting light onto walls and ceilings to reduce demand for electric lighting. While these are all things you can do to boost efficiency, all this work can be undone by the ‘human factor’ – ie if occupants leave doors and windows open.
The answer is not usually to issue a set of rules, but to encourage staff involvement by demonstrating how they can be more in control of their own environment. Explain how thermostats operate and give guidance on recommended operating temperatures and on how to set heating or cooling units correctly. Display instructions on individual
units and ensure that remote controls are accessible. It has also been observed that where other energysaving measures are in place [eg PIR-activated lighting], users are more aware of their responsibilities and react by being less wasteful. This is more a people issue than a technical one, but vital to the overall performance and efficiency of a system.
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