Field measurements of new residential air conditioners in Phoenix, Arizona
- Proctor Engineering Group, San Rafael, CA (United States)
Numerous field studies show that residential air conditioners are not properly installed and as a result do not perform at their design capability. This investigation studied airconditioning systems installed in newly constructed homes in Phoenix, Arizona. It involved measuring the air flow and charge of the airconditioning units as well as the leakage of the ducts and building shell in a sample of 28 systems. The investigation found that newly constructed homes in Phoenix have substantial deficiencies in their airconditioning systems, similar to those found in studies from other parts of the country. Improvements can be made to provide lower energy use and reduced peak electrical demand while improving occupant comfort and satisfaction. Significant problems were found. Airflow across the inside coil averaged 14% below specification and only 18% of the units were correctly charged. New homes in this sample were very airtight, with up to 82% not meeting ASHRAE ventilation standards with the windows closed. The measured supply duct leakage averaged 9% of the air handler flow. Return leakage was less, on the average, at 5% of flow. Four systems with platform returns had very high return leakage. These results are supported by extensive information gathered in this project as well as data from projects in other climates.
- OSTI ID:
- 349977
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-970668--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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