COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF MODERN AND TRADITIONAL AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS IN A RESIDENTIAL COMPOUND

Feras Mutar  Khalaf; Hussein S.  Sultan; Ahmed Kadhim  Alshara

doi:10.30572/2018/KJE/160430

Authors

Feras Mutar Khalaf Lecturer at Department of Mechanical Eng., Faculty of Eng., University of Basrah, Iraq
Hussein S. Sultan Professor at Department of Mechanical Eng., Faculty of Eng., University of Basrah, Iraq
Ahmed Kadhim Alshara Professor at Department of Mechanical Eng., Faculty of Eng., University of Misan, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30572/2018/KJE/160430

Keywords:

Constant Refrigerant Flow, Variable Refrigerant Flow, Life Cycle Cost, Hourly Analysis Program, Energy Savings, Residential Complex

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to investigate potential energy savings by considering two different air-conditioning systems, constant refrigerant flow (CRF) and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, in a new residential compound in Basra, Iraq, where extreme temperature and humidity are observed beside facing a shortage in electrical power supply. One- and two-storey houses were considered, and the initial, installation, maintenance, repair, and energy costs for each AC system were accounted for. The required cooling loads were calculated using Carrier's Hourly Analysis Program (HAP 5.1). The findings revealed that although the VRF system exhibited a higher initial price than the CRF system by 20 % and 41 % for one- and two-storey houses, respectively, its monthly operating cost was lower by 16 % and 19 %, respectively. The energy savings percentage achieved using VRF compared to CRF in the 10^th year was 20 % and 22 % in one- and two-storey buildings, respectively. The results demonstrated that implementing VRF systems can save power and minimize electricity waste in residential buildings, which may amount to significant savings in electricity consumption in buildings and compounds constructed in the future

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