Understand Air-Conditioning (HVAC) in Buildings

Air-conditioning controls room temperature as desire and. It can be designed to suit types of buildings. Control factors are temperature, humidity, cleanliness, air circulation and ventilation inside buildings.

In Thailand which is hot and humid, Air-conditioning is a cooling for inside buildings because heat can ventilate by reducing the heat directly or circulating inside air through evaporators and refrigerant in order to remove heat from the room.

The previous article discussed Refrigeration on how it works in general. This article will mention Air-conditioning that use cooling for buildings, department stores, or large factories that need large Air-conditioning system to suit its space.

What is Air-conditioning for Buildings?

Air-Conditioning (HVAC)  stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air-conditioning which is for larger units than household Air-conditioning as it needs to have higher capability to ventilate air. It is suitable for offices, department stores, multi-floor houses, and factories that need to control temperature and humidity in order to manufacture.

Differences of HVAC and Air Conditioning

In general, having an Air-conditioning helps to generate the cool, however, it is suitable for small to medium areas. Air-Conditioning (HVAC) is suitable for large areas where air is being controlled to remain certain temperature at all times, including ventilation that reduces unpleasant smell and keeps air pressure at normal.

Apart from that, Air-Conditioning (HVAC) helps in terms of humidity, prevents dirt from outside as well as controls movement of air inside controlled area to remain constant which makes it suitable for buildings.

Ventilation of Air Conditioning

Main important element of Air-Conditioning (HVAC) apart from being Air-conditioning is ventilation. Because it controls quality of air as desired which can be categorised into 2 systems.

1. Ventilation for Air-conditioning without Air Pipe

This system is used for air condition that are separated where the air in the area will be ventilated to evaporators and send back to the room. The ventilation happens when the air is moved to outside and adds new air in by penetrating through small holes or gaps in between windows and doors.

2. Ventilation for Air-conditioning with Air Pipe

Air-conditioning that uses cooing air pipes usually is a large Air-conditioning unit. The air inside will be ventilated through evaporators by using air pipes where new air from outside is added while ventilating in order to increase air quality and send back to the room.

Quality Air Control

Quality of air is determined by purity of air which is divided into levels. Quality of air affects Air-conditioning and human health. Poor air quality is air that is contaminated with cigarette smoke, particles, or toxic gases. Therefore, improving quality of air can be arranged by installing air filter to enhance fresh air and add new air from outside.

Air-conditioning system has air ventilate between 12 – 15 times of room volume per hour and amount of fresh air mix at 10 – 15% of air circulation which depends on types of operations and the crowd. Apart from bringing in new air, air is ventilated from bathrooms, kitchens, smoking rooms, and shaft rooms while maintaining air pressure, set at higher than outside air, in order to prevent dust mite and humidity that may contaminate air inside building.

Control quality of air by using air filter is common in air conditioning. Air filter is installed at evaporator (FCU) or process of sending cool air (AHU) in order to filter particles in air and produce quality air.

Air-Conditioning and Humidity Control

Humidity is a concerned in Air-conditioning and building itself because humidity of air inside building can create mole which can spread quickly and damage the building. Air inside building is then contaminated including equipment, tools, and machines inside as well.

To reduce humidity inside building, Electric heater can be used, and it will automatically turn on once the temperature reaches a certain point set. The electric heater is used to reduce humidity; however, the cons is that it will make Air-conditioning work harder and humidity may drastically drop beyond point of control.

The better way to reduce humidity inside building is to use heat excess from refrigeration cycle. Instead of letting those heat go to outside building, excess heat should be used instead of electric heater.

The first heat excess from refrigeration cycle comes in terms of gas refrigerant which generated during the process of passing on to evaporator. Heat conducted from refrigerant can be used to replace heat from electric heater in order to reduce humidity inside building. However, air condition system can be disturbed by those heat and need to work header. All in all, it is more effective than other methods.

The second method to reduce humidity is using heat pipe which uses the same principle of transformation of refrigerants in refrigeration system. Then, make use of those heat in order to eliminate humidity inside building effectively.

Conclusion

One should choose the right types of Air-conditioning to suit purpose of buildings in order to save electricity bill especially those large plants, department stores, factories that need to control room temperature at all times for manufacturing. Air-Conditioning (HVAC) is the answer because Air-conditioning can maintain room temperature constantly and also able to control humidity that may cause problems later.

If you have any question or want to request for more information about cooling system for buildings or business, please do not hesitate to contact us here. We have expert engineers to service you.