AR 302 - AIR CONDITIONING AND MECHANICAL SERVICES

SCHEMATIC DETAILS OF VARIOUS AC

SYSTEMS AND CONCEPT OF ZONING

GROUP 07

101121007 - CHEMBIAN
101121008 - DEEPTHIKA
101121041 - SAI KEERTHANA VS
WINDOW AC SYSTEMS
 INTRODUCTION

A window air conditioner is the simplest type of

AC unit. It’s a single unit with all of the parts and
components contained inside one box or casing.

This type of AC is usually mounted or installed in

a window and plugs into a traditional electrical
outlet. It’s convenient because it can be moved
from window to window as needed and operates
independently from a home HVAC system.

REF: https://www.aireserv.com/about/blog/2019/august/how-do-window-air-conditioners-work-/
MORE
INTRODUCTION
The primary consideration when choosing a
window AC unit is size. If it’s too small, it will have
to work overtime to cool the room and you’ll still
have a room that doesn’t quite feel cool enough.
If it’s too big, it will cool the room too quickly
without removing the humidity properly and you
will have a cool room that still feels sticky.

This refrigeration unit has a double-shaft fan

motor with fans mounted on both sides of the
motor. One at the evaporator side and the other
at the condenser side.

The evaporator side is located facing the room

for cooling the space and the condenser side is
outdoors for heat rejection. There is an insulated
partition separating these two sides within the
same casing.

REF: https://www.aireserv.com/about/blog/2019/august/how-do-window-air-conditioners-work-/
THE
FUNCTIONING
A window AC unit uses the same principles as
any other type of air conditioning system. It
uses refrigeration properties to remove heat
and humidity from a room while cooling air
circulates into the room. The basic
components include a thermostat, a fan or
blower, tubing filled with refrigerant, a
compressor, an evaporator coil, and a
condenser coil.

As the temperature in the room rises, it triggers the thermostat in the AC

unit, which turns on the blower. Room air is pulled into the unit and moves
over the cold refrigerant coils. The air is cooled as it passes over the cold
coils and is pushed out into the room, cooling it and bringing down the
temperature.

REF: https://www.aireserv.com/about/blog/2019/august/how-do-window-air-conditioners-work-/
SPLIT AC
Split systems comprise an indoor unit and an outdoor unit with a connecting pipe for
transferring coolant from one side to another.

Heat is transferred from the air to the outdoor unit in order to be cooled down and
then released into the atmosphere again.
Indoor Unit:
This part of the system is typically installed inside
the space you want to cool, such as a room or an
office.
It contains the evaporator coil, which cools the air, a
fan to circulate the cooled air, and a filter to remove
dust and other particles from the air.
The indoor unit is connected to the outdoor unit via
refrigerant lines and electrical wiring.

Outdoor Unit (Condenser Unit):

The outdoor unit is usually located outside the
building or house.
It consists of the compressor, condenser coil, and a
fan.
The compressor pressurizes the refrigerant, which
then moves to the condenser coil where it releases
heat to the outside air.
The fan blows air over the condenser coil to assist in
heat dissipation.
 THE
COMPONENTS
Evaporator Coil: often mounted on the unit's casing, it Absorbs heat
and moisture from indoor air.

Fan: Circulates cooled air throughout the room. Usually positioned

behind the evaporator coil.

Air Filter: Positioned within the indoor unit, accessible via a removable
panel. Removes dust, particles, and pollutants from the air.

Control Panel: Allows users to adjust settings such as temperature

and fan speed.

Blower Motor: Powers the fan to circulate air. Housed within the
indoor unit, connected to the fan.
THE
COMPONENTS

Compressor: Pressurizes the refrigerant, facilitating heat

exchange.

Condenser Coil: Releases heat absorbed from indoor air to the

outdoor environment.

Fan: Blows outdoor air over the condenser coil to dissipate heat.

Refrigerant Lines: Connect the indoor and outdoor units,

allowing refrigerant flow.

Condenser Fan Motor: Powers the outdoor fan for heat

dissipation.

Expansion Valve: Controls the flow of refrigerant into the

evaporator coil.
WORKING
The evaporator coil will absorb heat in
the room and release it to the refrigerant
The refrigerant will move into the
compressor
The compressor will compress the
refrigerant even further until it forms a
liquid
The liquid will be sent to the condenser
coil where it will exchange heat with the
environment and form a gas again with
the motor fan to dissipate the heat
The hot liquid refrigerant will travel to the
expansion valve. Depressure the
refrigerant and cool it down
Low-pressure cold liquid will be flowing
into the evaporator coil and will distribute
out through the help of the air blower
The process will repeat and circulate
until you turn them off
CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING
A central air conditioning system is a cooling system that provides consistent
and even cooling throughout an entire building, such as a house, office
building, or commercial space. Unlike individual units like window ACs or split
ACs, which cool specific rooms or areas, central AC systems distribute cooled
air through a network of ducts and vents.
THE
COMPONENTS

Central Unit or Air Handler:

Usually installed in a basement, attic, or dedicated mechanical
room.
Has the evaporator coil, blower fan, and filter.

Ductwork:
Runs throughout the building, typically hidden behind walls,
ceilings, or floors.
Supply ducts carry cooled air from the central unit to various
rooms or areas.
Return ducts bring warm indoor air back to the central unit for
cooling.

Thermostat:
Located in a central area of the building, often in a hallway or
common area.
Positioned at eye level for easy access and temperature
monitoring.
THE
COMPONENTS

Outdoor Unit (Condenser Unit):

Placed outside the building.
It consists of the compressor, condenser coil, and a fan.

Refrigerant Lines:
Connect the indoor and outdoor units, running along walls,
through ceilings, or underground.
Installed discreetly to minimize visual impact and avoid
obstruction.

Condensate Drainage System:

Routes condensed moisture away from the central unit,
typically through a drain pipe leading to a floor drain, sump
pump, or outdoor
WORKING
Warm indoor air is drawn into the system through return ducts.

The air passes over the evaporator coil, where refrigerant absorbs heat from the air and cools it.
Cooled air is pushed through supply ducts into rooms by a blower fan.
Gaseous refrigerant is sent to the outdoor unit, where the compressor pressurizes it.

High-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant flows through the condenser coil, releasing heat.
Outdoor air blown over the condenser coil causes refrigerant to condense back into a liquid.

Cooled refrigerant returns to the indoor unit through refrigerant lines.

PACKAGED AC SYSTEMS
INTRODUCTION
Packaged air conditioners, as the name implies,
are self-contained heating and air conditioning
units, with all of its essential components
encased in a single unit.

It is comprised of the cooling coil, the

compressor, the air filter and the air handling
unit. These systems come fully assembled, ready
for you to plug-in.

A packaged air conditioning system is a specific

type of HVAC system that combines multiple
components into one unit, typically including
both heating and cooling elements.

One unique selling proposition for a packaged

unit is that a condensate drain pipe is not a
requirement due to the condensate water
being extracted from the air by the evaporator
coil.
MORE
INTRODUCTION

The packaged air conditioners can also offer

better humidity control, space efficiency and
are cheaper due to saving on installation costs.

However, as a packaged unit is located outside it

is exposed all the elements; sun, rain, snow, hail
and wind which can reduce its lifespan and
effectiveness.

Packaged air conditioning units will usually have

an 8-10 SEER rating.

REF: Thesis - MODELING OF ROOFTOP PACKAGED AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT by MARK REICHLER
THE
COMPONENTS AND
THERMOSTAT
CONNECTIONS

Thermostat: The control unit that regulates

the temperature settings.

Air Handler Unit (AHU): This unit houses the

blower fan, evaporator coil, and sometimes
AIR HANDLER UNIT
heating elements. It is responsible for
circulating the conditioned air throughout
the building.

Outdoor Condenser Unit: Contains the

compressor, condenser coil, and sometimes
additional components like fans and
controls. It is responsible for dissipating heat
absorbed from the indoor air.
OUTDOOR
CONDENSOR UNIT
THE
COMPONENTS AND
REFRIGERANT LINES
CONNECTIONS

Refrigerant Lines: Copper or aluminum

pipes that carry the refrigerant between the
EXPANSION VALVE
indoor and outdoor units.

Expansion Valve: Regulates the flow of

refrigerant into the evaporator coil.

Filter/Drier: Removes contaminants and

moisture from the refrigerant. FILTER / DRIER

Ductwork: Channels that distribute the

conditioned air from the AHU to different
rooms or zones within the building.

DUCTWORK
 ROOFTOP PACKAGED AC
SCHEMATIC AIR FLOW
The figure illustrates the arrangement of the main components of a rooftop packaged unit described above. Also, the air
flow through the unit is shown schematically.

All the components needed for cooling, heating, and air movement are assembled in a steel casing.

The available cooling capacity of common packaged rooftop units ranges from 10 kW (3 tons) to 850 kW (241 tons). The
air flow rate covers a range from 400 l/s (850 ft3 /min) to 37,800 l/s (80,000 ft3 /min).

REF: Thesis - MODELING OF ROOFTOP PACKAGED AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT by MARK REICHLER
THE
FUNCTIONING
These packaged air conditions the condenser is cooled by
the water. The condenser is of shell and tube type, with
refrigerant flowing along the tube side and the cooling
water flowing along the shell side. The water has to be
supplied continuously in these systems to maintain
functioning of the air conditioning system.

The water cooled condenser and the compressor are

located at the bottom along with the condenser. Above
these components the evaporator or the cooling coil is
located. The air handling unit comprising of the centrifugal
blower and the air filter is located above the cooling coil.
The centrifugal blower has the capacity to handle large
volume of air required for cooling a number of rooms. From
the top of the package air conditioners the duct comes out
that extends to the various rooms that are to be cooled.
THE
FUNCTIONING

REF: https://mepacademy.com/how-hvac-split-system-air-conditioners-work/
THE
VAPOUR COMPRESSION
CYCLE
Vapour-compression refrigeration or
vapor-compression refrigeration system
(VCRS), in which the refrigerant
undergoes phase changes, is one of the
many refrigeration cycles and is the most
widely used method for air conditioning of
buildings and automobiles.

Circulating refrigerant enters the

compressor in the thermodynamic state
known as a saturated vapor and is
compressed to a higher pressure, resulting
in a higher temperature as well.

REF: Wikipedia
THE
VAPOUR COMPRESSION
CYCLE
The superheated vapor then passes
through the condenser. This is where heat
is transferred from the circulating
refrigerant to an external medium,
allowing the gaseous refrigerant to cool
and condense into a liquid.

The condensed liquid refrigerant, in the thermodynamic state known as a saturated liquid, is next
routed through an expansion valve where it undergoes an abrupt reduction in pressure. That
pressure reduction results in the adiabatic flash evaporation of a part of the liquid refrigerant.

The auto-refrigeration effect of the adiabatic flash evaporation lowers the temperature of the liquid
and vapor refrigerant mixture to where it is colder than the temperature of the enclosed space to be
refrigerated.

REF: Wikipedia
THE
COOLING CAPACITY

The cooling capacity is provided by a

vapor compression cycle, with
reciprocating or scroll compressors as the
central component.

The cooling coils are always direct

expansion coils in rooftop packaged units.
Units with a higher cooling capacity often
have two separate refrigerant circuits in
the evaporator for better capacity control.

The condenser is designed of fine air-

cooled condensing coils in which the
refrigerant vapor is liquefied.

REF: Thesis - MODELING OF ROOFTOP PACKAGED AIR

CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT by MARK REICHLER
THE
DUCTED AND DUCTLESS INDOOR UNITS

DUCTED INDOOR UNITS

Central AC Systems
Packaged AC Systems

DUCTLESS INDOOR UNITS

Window AC Systems
Split AC Systems

REF: https://mepacademy.com/how-hvac-split-system-air-conditioners-work/
WHAT IS HVAC
ZONING ?
An HVAC zoning system divides your home
into multiple zones, each controlled by its
own thermostat. This allows you to set
each room to the ideal temperature for
you, instead of having to heat or cool the
entire home to just one temperature. A
zoned HVAC system can give you more
control over your comfort, provide energy
savings and, perhaps most importantly,
eliminate daily arguments over the
thermostat!
HOW DOES AN HVAC ZONING SYSTEM WORK?
Setting up a residential HVAC zoning system
involves dividing the home into zones, with each
zone having its thermostat connected to a central
control panel.
HVAC zoning dampers, which regulate airflow, are
installed in the ducts of the home to control the flow
of cool or hot air to specific zones.
Dampers open and close based on temperature
needs; when a zone requires airflow, dampers open
to allow air to pass through and close once the
desired temperature is reached.
Changing the temperature on a thermostat sends a
message to the central control panel, which then
activates the heating or cooling device accordingly.
The central control panel opens the ducts
associated with the zone needing a temperature
change while keeping other ducts closed, allowing
each zone to have its temperature controlled
independently based on individual needs.
HOW MANY ZONES DO YOU NEED?

The best way to determine how many zones you need in your home is to talk to an HVAC
professional. If you find that your home has vastly different temperatures upstairs and
downstairs, one zone for each floor could be the right fit for you. Alternatively, you could set a
zone for different sections of your home, or even a zone for each room in your home. There’s
no limit on how many zones your home can have!
WHEN DOES AC ZONING MAKE SENSE?
A multi-story home
A basement, either finished or unfinished
A living space in the attic
High ceilings
A room over your garage
A sunroom
Several large windows
A large floor plan with one or more wings
ELEMENTS OF ZONING
Thermostats
Zoning Control Panel
Dampers
Equipment
BENEFITS OF AC ZONING
Increased energy savings
A zoned HVAC system allows for precise temperature control in different zones of a home,
.
eliminating the need to adjust the temperature throughout the entire house when only one
area needs heating or cooling.
With a central thermostat controlling the entire home, changing the temperature in one room
affects the entire house, leading to increased energy consumption and potentially higher bills.
In contrast, a zoned HVAC system enables targeted temperature adjustments in specific
zones or rooms, ensuring that heated or cooled air is only directed to the selected zone,
resulting in energy savings and cost efficiency
Extra control and comfort in your home
.
Multiple thermostats in an HVAC zoning system provide more control over the temperature in
each room, enhancing overall comfort by allowing individual preferences to be met.
Each room can be set to the ideal temperature based on personal preferences, eliminating the
need to compromise on a single temperature for the entire home.
In homes with multiple occupants, zoned HVAC systems enable each person to control the
temperature in their own bedroom or living space, ensuring satisfaction for everyone residing in
the house

Better air quality

While the air flowing through an HVAC system is filtered, sometimes particles like lint, dust, pollen, or
pet dander can escape through the filters and back into your home. The HVAC zoning dampers that
control a zoned HVAC system make sure air is only diverted to the zone it’s intended for. This helps
keep unwanted dirt and debris that escaped the filtration system from circulating throughout the
entire house every time the HVAC system is turned on.
ZONING WITH DUCTLESS MINI-SPLITS
Yet another zoning option is ductless mini-splits. That will give you the ability to customize
temperatures in individual spaces. They typically condition the air in only one room, though
you have the option of installing five heads to each unit.
A head is an individual indoor unit that is connected to the outdoor unit and provides cooling
or heating to a room or area.
The more heads you have in a system, the more complicated it becomes to properly install,
service, and maintain the system.
These systems give you “zone control” over different rooms, or zones, in your home. You can
cool one room, heat another, and ignore others.
PROS AND CONS
PROS
Enhanced Comfort: HVAC zoning allows for individual temperature control in different areas of
the home, ensuring personalized comfort for each occupant.
Energy Efficiency: Zoning systems reduce energy waste by directing conditioned air only to the
zones that need it most, leading to lower energy consumption and reduced bills.
Lower Energy Bills: By moderating the demand for conditioned air, zoned HVAC systems result
in lower energy costs due to decreased energy consumption.

CONS
Significant Upfront Cost: Installing a zoned HVAC system can be costly due to additional
components and invasive installation procedures inside ducts.
Challenging Maintenance: With more components added, diagnosing HVAC issues can
become more complex, potentially leading to difficulties in identifying problems and
performing repairs