EFFICIENT AIR CONDITIONING

TECHNOLOGIES Part I

Esmail Mokheimer
ME Dept., KFUPM

Objectives
The main objective of this lecture is to
shed light on the energy-efficiency in the
area of air conditioners.

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 Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lecture, the student
should be able to:
Understand and describe the conceptual
operation of air conditioning units
Demonstrate understating of the need for
energy efficient air conditioners
Understand the Minimum Energy
Performance standards (MEPS) and
Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)

Introduction
The electric power consumption has
increased tremendously, especially in highly
economically growing countries such as
Saudi Arabia.
In such countries, air conditioning became
necessary for life at home and in public
areas due to the large demand for comfort.

Electrical energy consumption due to air

conditioning (A/C) in buildings is
tremendous, especially in Saudi Arabia.

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 Introduction
The growth of demand for electrical
energy in Saudi Arabia, far exceeds the
growth of the power being generated.

This is mainly attributed, according to the

SEC annual report (2003), to the
increased number of customers and to the
rise in climate temperature, which
implicitly means the growth of the air
conditioning electric power consumption.

Introduction
This growth of demand for electrical
energy is expected to continue
according to the data collected from
the ministry of planning and the latest
data from the Saudi Electric
Company, SEC which are indicated in
the following

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 Demographic data
Year Total Population

1995 18,227,459

1996 18,674,918

1997 19,133,361

1998 19,603,059

1999 20,084,287

2000 20,577,329

2001 21,082,474

2002 21,600,020

2003 22,130,270

2004 22,673,538

2009 24,390,000

2014 26,450,000

2019 28,150,000

2024 29,860,000

Economic Data

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 Energy Data
Number of Customers in the Residential Sector

Energy Consumption in
Residential Air Conditioners
With this direct relation between the air
conditioning loads and the Electric
load on the national network, it is
necessary to seek the possible
strategies that can reduce the power
consumption of air conditioners.

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 What actions are needed
Governmental Regulations and rules need to
be developed and applied such as:

Building codes stressing the thermal

insulations (SASO).
Variable Tariff for the electric energy cost that
increases with the consumption (SEC).
Putting MEPS for AC (SASO)

Basic Definitions
Air conditioners use a system of
compressors, coils, fans, pipes and
controls to remove heat from the home.
The main four components of AC system
are
1. the compressor,
2. the evaporator and condenser (Heat transfer) coils,
3. the expansion valve in addition to
4. the refrigerant.
A refrigerant is the medium used to
transfer heat through this closed loop
system.
AC systems work mainly according to the
following simple thermodynamic cycle

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 Basic Definitions
Basic Vapor Compression Cycle
http://www.sfsb.hr/test/testhome/vtAnimations/animations/chapter09/refrigeration/index1.html

Basic Definitions
The AC also comprises some
accessories to have it properly
operates.

Some of these accessories are:

the fans and fans motors,
the controllers that control the operation
of the system such as the thermostat, etc.

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 Basic Definitions
What Are MEPS, EER and SEER
MEPS is an abbreviation of Minimum
Energy Performance Standard.
MEPS are to be put for different
products by a governmental authority
such as SASO.
The Energy Performance or efficiency
level of an air conditioner is
determined by its Energy Efficiency
Ratio (EER) or "seasonal energy
efficiency ratio" (SEER).

Basic Definitions
What Are MEPS, EER and SEER
The SEER rating is technically
defined as the cooling output
provided by the unit during its
normal annual usage period divided
by its total energy consumption.

More simply, the SEER rating is

similar to the miles-per-gallon rating
for automobiles.

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 Basic Definitions
What is EER and SEER
EER is used for cooling and COP is
used for heating.
The units of EER or SEER:
The American standards as well as the
present SASO use the BTU/(Wh). So,
their EER are in order of 10 (13-19)
The European and the ISO standards
use the W/W. So, their EER are in order
of ones (about 3-5)

Significance of Operational Efficiency

For every $100 spent to cool your home using an 8.0

SEER air conditioner, a 14.0 SEER air conditioner
should cost you approximately $57 and $ 39 for SEER =
18.
Actual savings will depend on the efficiency of your
current system compared to the efficiency of a new
system and on the Tariff for Electric Power Cost.

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 AC MEPS by SASO

EER limits Star Rating

(Btu/h)/w at T1

EER > 10 6

10 EER > 9.5 5

9.5 EER > 9 4

9 EER > 8.5 3

8.5 EER > 7.5 2

EER 7.5 1

Example of Energy Labels for AC

Cooling and Heating AC Cooling Only AC

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