Cooling capacity is the measure of how quickly heat is removed from an interior space. It is rated in BTUs per hour and is related to the size of the space. Air conditioning units are often the biggest energy consumers, so manufacturers have adopted efficient practices and independent groups verify these claims. The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) certifies HVACR equipment to ensure they meet industry efficiency standards.
Cooling capacity is a measure of how quickly heat is removed from an interior space, usually in the context of air conditioning. In most cases this type of ability is referred to as medium; it is how a certain machine or system will operate under standard conditions. These conditions take into account factors such as the volume of the space to be cooled and the air temperatures both inside and outside the space, but assume ordinary environments and industry standard insulation. If a drive is used unconventionally or under more extreme circumstances, the stated capacity may not be accurate. In most cases the capabilities of modern air conditioners are printed on the outside of the unit or otherwise prominently displayed and can be helpful to consumers deciding between competing options.
Basics of air cooling
Indoor spaces often retain heat more easily than outdoors, particularly in the hotter summer months. The same insulation that keeps heat trapped in the winter can do the same in the summer, which can make homes, rooms and offices stuffy and sticky. Fans and open windows can bring relief, but industrial air conditioners and cooling units are often the most effective.
There are usually a number of different options, from built-in systems to portable window units. Similarly, some are designed for smaller spaces, such as single rooms or small apartments, while others can heat entire homes or even buildings. Much depends on their size and capabilities. How they work is usually pretty much the same no matter the specs, and the ability to cool is more a matter of internal mechanics than external specs. Air conditioners of all types typically cool a heated room by transferring heat to the unit’s liquid-filled evaporator coils. The units also condense some of the moisture in the air. This makes the atmosphere in the room not only cooler, but also less humid and more comfortable.
How capacity is measured
Cooling capacities are generally rated in British Thermal Units (BTU) per hour, although sometimes the measurement is also expressed in tonnes. One ton of cooling capacity equals 12,000 BTUs per hour, and the term originates in the cooling effect of one ton of ice. Often, capacity measurements are given in tonnage for cooling units and BTU for heating units. Broken down, a BTU is based on the amount of energy it takes to raise the temperature of a pound of water by just one degree Fahrenheit.
Space ratings and specifications
A machine’s ability to cool a space is directly related to the size of that space. As an illustration, a 2,000 square foot home built to standard specifications in a more or less moderate climate will usually require an air conditioning system with a capacity of approximately 48,000 BTUs per hour. Conversely, an average 150-square-foot bedroom in a similarly located home will likely be able to achieve the same results with a unit rated at just 5,000 BTUs per hour.
Cooling capacities are usually printed directly on the sales sticker on newer air conditioning units. On older models, the capacity is sometimes encoded within the serial numbers. In most cases these ratings apply not only to residential and commercial air conditioning systems, including heat pumps operating in air conditioning mode, but also to industrial chillers, cooling towers and other cooling equipment. These types of machines are necessarily more intense and as such often have greater capabilities.
Energy efficiency
In many parts of the world, energy efficiency has become a serious concern in recent years. Household appliances that consume a lot of electricity and other resources are often considered a drain on the environment and its resources. Air conditioning units are often among the biggest consumers, particularly when in constant use; this makes an accurate and efficient capability particularly important.
Many manufacturers have adopted efficient practices and promise that their machines will use energy as responsibly as possible, and there are also a number of independent groups that can certify and verify these claims. The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), for example, independently certifies heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) equipment and components to ensure that these systems meet industry efficiency standard. Overall, the Institute – known as the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) before 2009 – works with manufacturers to develop standards and guidelines that result in uniform ratings, including capability ratings, to provide consumers with an basis of comparison. An ARI number on a heating or air conditioning unit is a guarantee that its cooling or heating capacity has been tested correctly.
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