The Influence of Operating Modes, Room Temperature Set Point and Curtain Styles on Energy Consumption of Room Air Conditioner

Abstract

A field investigation was carried out in an office building of Changsha city in winter and summer, the influence of different running modes, curtain styles and room temperature set point on energy consumption of room air conditioner (RAC) was studied. The results show that: In summer automatic speed mode consumes the least refrigerating energy in different running modes, compared with low speed and high speed modes, it can conserve energy for 27.3% and 15.8%, respectively. In the same running mode, setting outer curtain can conserve energy for 40.9% and 20.4% compared with no curtain and inner curtain states, respectively. In winter high speed mode is the most efficient for saving energy which can decrease 40.3% and 30.9% compared with low speed and automatic speed modes. In the same running mode, setting inner curtain state makes the least heating energy consumption in cloudy day, about 10.8% and 2.7% less than no curtain and outer curtain states. However, it is not obvious when the day is fine. The heating energy consumption decreases as room temperature set point falls, compared with the energy consumption at 20.5 C and 19.5 C, it is decreases for 34.1% and17.0 % at 18.5 C, respectively. All the results will be the reference of environment design and control for air conditioning room.