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There are an abundance of air conditioning engineers on the market today. With so much choice as a customer, it can be hard to know where your money is best spent. Here at Chillaire, we have been in the industry for years and, we believe, have seen it all. That being said, we believe we know how to identify a good air conditioning engineer. (more…)
Air conditioners are now widely manufactured, distributed and used, but how do air conditioners work? How air conditioning works is often insufficiently explained. For people trying to diagnose problems with their air conditioning system or explain faults to an engineer, it can be challenging.
A Mitsubishi Heavy Industry heat pump ceiling air conditioner system was the ideal solution for our recent installation at the Coventry-based car dealership showroom.
At Chillaire we often recommend Daikin heat pump air conditioning units. Daikin is a leading manufacturer of high quality, reliable heat pumps and air conditioning products.
Using the latest technology, they offer excellent environmental temperature control and efficiency. Through research and development, Daikin air conditioning systems have been developed for a wide range of applications.
Green buildings are not only environmentally friendly; there’s growing evidence that they can also improve overall business performance.
We all understand that modern heating, ventilation and cooling systems are efficient and can save us money. However, green buildings can reduce absenteeism and improve morale.
Some forward-looking employers are also using their high-quality working environment as another way to attract and retain the best talent.
Understanding the benefits of green buildings
After some interesting design challenges, the mechanical ventilation experts, Nuaire, have now launched their new XBOXER Hybrid range. They provide a natural system with fans for mixing warm air when it’s cold and for higher flow rates in hotter weather.
Mixed-mode or hybrid ventilation is a popular solution for schools. It introduces air both naturally and mechanically for better airflow.
Purchase price is just one consideration when choosing your air-conditioning system.
Reliability and running costs aren’t simply a function of the brand you choose, there are other factors too.
We asked a selection of consultants to give their views on how to extend the life of air-conditioning systems.
The best air conditioning systems are those where the manufacturer produces most of the main components, such as compressors and heat exchangers. Most major brands invest huge amounts of money into research, design and testing. However, buying the most expensive brand is not always a guarantee of durability.
Look out for ISO (ISO 14001) accreditation to ensure the highest quality build standards. To be sure that the product meets safety standards, look for compliance with relevant CE Directives. For confidence that your choice will stand the test of time, also look for Eurovent certification.
If your air-conditioning system is too small for its location it is more likely to fail. It will have to work longer and harder to deliver your desired temperatures, reducing the life expectancy of the compressors and leading to more frequent defrost cycles in heating mode, affecting operation and reliability.
Location is important too. Airflow and the length of pipe runs will affect performance. also help to reduce the load and improve reliability and performance.
Pipes – Be sure the correct copper pipe is used for your system and that the wall thickness is suitable for the operating pressures of your system. A pipe with a larger diameter will need a thinner wall, but you should also be aware that, when you bend a pipe, the wall thickness is reduced.
Pipes should be capped or sealed during the storage and installation to reduce the risk of moisture or debris getting into the system. Moisture will cause the oil to become acidic, damaging compressor windings and breaking down seals, eventually causing leaks. Foreign materials will block strainers and valves and can even cause the compressor to fail.
Purging – Joints should be brazed when the pipework is being purged with oxygen free nitrogen (OFN). If OFN isn’t used, internal oxidisation will occur and collect in strainers and dryers when the system is operating.
Pipe support – Movement during operation can cause weakening and possible refrigerant leaks. Since refrigerant can burn, anybody nearby could be seriously injured by a leak and, because it’s heavier than oxygen, it could cause asphyxiation in certain conditions.
Pressure testing – Pipes must withstand the maximum operating pressure of the system and should always be tested for strength and leaks. F Gas regulations specify the pressure and duration of these tests. The area should always be evacuated during strength testing, as a failure under pressure can cause serious injury.
Insulation – The higher the operational humidity, the greater the insulation wall thickness should be. Joints should always be glued or taped together as insulation can contract over time. Exposed pipes will reduce efficiency and increase demand on the compressor.
Wiring – The power supply must always comply with current regulations.
When residual current devices (RCDs) and residual current breakers with overload protection (RCBOs) are being used circuits must be able to accommodate load from other electrical equipment without causing nuisance tripping.
Air-conditioners can generate a small amount of earth leakage, so interconnecting cables should be seamless where possible and should ideally run with the pipework. Loose or broken connections can be very difficult to find.
Coiled and bundled cables and cables crossing or running near other cables can cause noise on the air-conditioning communication line, resulting in system faults or failures.
Condensate – Always use the manufacture’s maximum lift specification on pumps as condensate flooding back can damage the unit, leading to costly repairs. Pumps can fail, so certain applications might require a high-level alarm or cut-off to prevent costly water damage.
Vacuum – Evacuation is time-consuming but important because it’s the only way to confirm that there isn’t any moisture in the pipework. Your commissioning engineer should have a calibrated Torr gauge, a well-maintained vacuum pump, and a clean and well-maintained manifold set. A rising Torr gauge is an indication of moisture in the system.
Refrigerant charging – Manufacturers will specify additional charge details. Some systems don’t need additional refrigerant while others require a precise additional charge depending on the length and diameter of installed pipework.
To avoid contamination the refrigerant should always be new. The refrigerant should be carefully weighed because overcharging a system, or allowing liquid refrigerant should not return to the compressor, can cause mechanical failure.
The quantity of refrigerant in a system depends on the frequency of leak checks. A shortage of refrigerant will increase the demand on the system, the operating temperature of the compressor, and the frequency (speed) controls to the inverter compressor. As the temperature of these components increases, so does the chance of failure.
Well-maintained air-conditioners are efficient and reliable. Regular maintenance is also essential to maintain manufacturer’s warranty, so a maintenance contract is a good idea.
Simple things like cleaning filters and ensuring that airflow isn’t restricted will help to maintain system reliability and performance. F-Gas regulations also require that the system is regularly checked for leaks.
Simple controls will extend the life of your air-conditioning system. Timers and temperature controls can help to minimise use at night, for example.
Airflow adjustment via fan speed and louvre settings will evenly distribute the conditioned air and prevent your system from continually running, without ever achieving a set point.
Controller position is also important. Many controllers have return air sensors, so making sure they are installed away from direct heat sources, drafts and air discharged from the system will increase the efficiency and reduce running time and compressor frequency.
From time to time components will fail, so it’s important to have confidence that your supplier has a full technical back-up service, a helpline and a readily available stock of spares. Qualified and experienced engineers can then quickly and accurately assess and diagnose your problem and find a solution
If your air-conditioning system is business-critical, consider holding a stock of the manufacturer’s ‘recommended spares’.
Your users can also help to keep the system running efficiently by only using it when it’s needed. Simply keeping doors and windows closed will mean the system doesn’t have to compensate for unexpected heat gains or losses. Make sure everyone understands that adjusting controller temperatures when the system is first switched on won’t speed up the process and will only increase use of the compressor.
Addressing – Indoor and outdoor units are controlled through addressing. If it is done incorrectly, the worong indoor and outdoor units could be talking to each other, resulting in excessive run times and operating conditions.
Test runs – Most systems require power to the condenser before operation so that the crankcase heater can remove liquid refrigerant from the compressor sump by boiling it off. This will prevent compressor failure due to pumping liquid refrigerant.
Monitoring – Temperatures and pressures are continually monitored to confirm that the system is operating correctly and efficiently. Many systems allow the readings for be monitored from a PC so that, for instance, an unplugged valve box or a non-rotating fan can be easily spotted and addressed, avoiding the risk of costly repairs in the future.
For more information please contact us at 16 Lythalls Lane, Holbrooks, Coventry, CV6 6FG Telephone: 024 7624 9440 or email sales@chillaire.co.uk
For other areas please see our local addresses below:
North UK & Leicestershire Office: 3rd Floor, St George’s House, 6 St George’s Way, Leicester LE1 1QZ Tel: 0116 202 5094 or email sales@chillaire.co.uk
North Warwickshire Office: Unit 1 Veasey Close, Attleborough Fields Industrial Estate, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 6RT Tel: 024 7632 0300 or email: sales@chillaire.co.uk
Northamptonshire Office: Moulton Park Business Centre, Redhouse Road, Moulton Park, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN3 6AQ Tel: 01604 269540 or email: sales@chillaire.co.uk
Redditch / Alcester Office & West UK Office: Minerva Mill Innovation Centre, Station Road, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5EH Tel: 01789 273289 or email sales@chillaire.co.uk
Kettering & East UK Office: 10A Silver Street, Kettering, Northamptonshire NN16 0BN Tel: 01536 384046 or email sales@chillaire.co.uk
You can call us on our Freephone number: 0800 092 9898
Visit our website for further details: www.chillaire.co.uk
Before explaining to you why CO2 refrigeration is a viable option for cooling, it makes sense to delve into some background.
Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants were part of the solution when chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), were phased out. CFCs had been used since the 1930s for air-conditioning, refrigeration, and many other applications.
However, their impact on the world’s ozone layer was recognised in the 1970s. In 1990, the Montreal Protocol was strengthened, and CFCs were effectively banned by 2010.
Almost three decades on, HFCs are now known to have global warming potential (GWP) and are also due to be phased out. Under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, these refrigerants won’t be used for applications such as air-conditioning and refrigeration after 1 January 2024.
Two other hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) refrigerants, (chlorodifluoromethane or R-22 and trifluoroethane or R-123), also widely used in commercial applications, will no longer be used after 2020. R-123 won’t be used for new cooling equipment after 1 January 2020, although it will still be produced for servicing equipment until 2030. R-22 is no longer used for new equipment and new R-22 won’t be produced or imported after 2020.
Using alternatives like the below can help to future-proof your refrigeration equipment.
CO2 refrigeration has been used since the mid-nineteenth century. It was replaced with man-made refrigerants including CFCs and HFCs during the twentieth century.
There have been concerns that it is dangerous to use CO2 as a refrigerant. However, there are risks with all refrigerants if they are used in the wrong conditions. In a properly designed installation, CO2 refrigeration can be as safe as other refrigerants.
Since CO2 is colourless and odourless leak detection is an important consideration. However, other refrigerants also need to be carefully managed and monitored.
As other common refrigerants are phased out, the comparative cost of installing and running CO2 refrigeration systems now makes them a viable choice.
While using natural refrigerants can be limited because of their toxicity and flammability, CO2 is neither in normal refrigeration applications and is a viable option when these issues are a concern.
CO2 doesn’t deplete the ozone and is recognised as being environmentally friendly, with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1.
CO2 systems can be more efficient than many current systems in most climate conditions, so indirect emissions of green-house gasses (GHGs) from additional energy consumption can also be reduced.
Higher compression is needed for CO2 systems compared with other systems, but this can lead to smaller pipework sizes and reduced suction valve costs. Compressors can be up to six times smaller than more traditional applications and higher suction pressure improves efficiency.
Thanks to the high heat transfer characteristics of CO2, evaporators can operate at higher temperatures. With a smaller difference between temperature of the refrigerant and the air temperature also means that efficiency is improved and capacity in the heat exchangers can be increased.
CO2 is inert and stable, so chemical reactions with polymers aren’t a concern. Since it isn’t corrosive in most cases, it can be used with the same materials as HFC systems. Because it’s stable, decomposition within the refrigeration system is reduced, so Carbon Dioxide refrigeration systems have longer lifespans than HFC systems, for example.
CO2 is already being used more widely for industrial refrigeration as the low-stage refrigerant in cascade installations or as a secondary coolant. With the latest design and technology developments it is also becoming viable for commercial applications.
Contact us and we will be happy to give you advice on your industrial or commercial installations.
Coventry & Warwickshire Office: Chillaire Limited, 16 Lythalls Lane, Holbrooks, Coventry CV6 6FG Telephone: 024 7624 9440 or eEmail: sales@chillaire.co.uk
Leicestershire Office: Chillaire Limited, 3rd Floor, St George’s House, 6 St George’s Way, Leicester, LE1 1QZ Telephone: 0116 202 5094 or email: sales@chillaire.co.uk
Northamptonshire Office: Chillaire Limited, Moulton Business Centre, Redhouse Road, Moulton Park, Northampton, NN3 6AQ Telephone: 01604 269540 or email: sales@chillaire.co.uk
Chillaire Limited supplied and installed five Samsung wall heat pump air conditioning systems into a village hall in Dunchurch to provide cooling in summer and heating in winter. The indoor units were interlinked to operate off a single controller with each wall fan coil unit operating off its own internal temperature sensor to provide a more balanced control throughout the hall.
The mode setting for all five systems can only be set in the same mode, this will stop anyone setting the systems so that they are cooling and heating at the same time and working / fighting against each other.
Samsung have a very good range of equipment from air conditioning split type systems to air conditioning multi systems and air conditioning VRF systems all are heat pump reverse cycle systems.
Fan coil unit options are available as wall, floor, ceiling, ceiling concealed, cassette and ducted.
Warwickshire Office: Unit 1 Veasey Close, Attleborough Fields Industrial Estate, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 6RT. Telelhone: 024 7632 0300 or email us at sales@chillaire.co.uk and for more details you can visit our website – www.chillaire.co.uk
You can also call us on our local Rugby phone number: 01788 669164
Leamington & Warwick: 01926 825681
Warwickshire Area: 01789 279289
Coventry & West Midlands Area: 024 7624 9440
Leicester & Leicestershire Area: 0116 202 9054
Northamptonshire: Northampton 01604 269540 or Kettering: 01536 386046
The system has been running for over 6 weeks and has been holding the temperature & RH 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Chillaire Limited specialise in providing, design and installation of precision close control air conditioning systems for data centres, computer rooms, comms rooms, server rooms, calibration labs, metrology labs, standards rooms and clean rooms.
Our design engineers can assess your requirements and design the right system for you with a cabinet type air handling unit with up flow supply air into a false ceiling void with front return air or down flow supply air using a false floor with top return air or front return air there numerous combinations.
We can even put the cabinet air handling unit into an adjacent room and duct the supply and return air to the room.
The controls on these units typically tend to be Trend or Carel microprocessor controls.
In addition to Denco precision close control systems, Chillaire Limited can also supply Airedale, Stulz, Climaveneta, IMI CD3, Trane, Lennox, Uniflare, Daikin, Mitsubishi, Carrier, York, CIAT, Clivet, Montair and many more brands. We select the right brand and system for your requirement at the best price.
In addition to installing the system we can arrange the installation of false floor and false ceilings.
For other areas please see our local addresses below:
North UK & Leicestershire Office:
3rd Floor
St George’s House
6 St George’s Way
Leicester
LE1 1QZ / Tel: 0116 202 5094
or email sales@chillaire.co.uk
North Warwickshire Office:
Unit 1 Veasey Close
Attleborough Fields Industrial Estate
Nuneaton
Warwickshire
CV11 6RT / Tel: 024 7632 0300
or email: sales@chillaire.co.uk
Northamptonshire Office:
Moulton Park Business Centre
Redhouse Road, Moulton Park
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN3 6AQ / Tel: 01604 269540
or email: sales@chillaire.co.uk
Redditch / Alcester Office & West UK Office:
Minerva Mill Innovation Centre
Station Road, Alcester
Warwickshire
B49 5EH / Tel: 01789 273289
or email sales@chillaire.co.uk
Kettering & East UK Office:
10A Silver Street,
Kettering,
Northants,
NN16 0BN / Tel: 01536 384046
or email sales@chillaire.co.uk
You can call us on our Freephone number: 0800 092 9898
Visit our website for further details: www.chillaire.co.uk
