It is important to evaluate the annual performance factor (APF) of room air conditioners (RACs) in accordance with their actual usage in residential sectors. In this study, actual RAC usage was monitored for 100 families over a year by equipping each air conditioner with an electric power meter and a data logger. We monitored 25 families living in detached houses in the Shinetsu area (a cold area), 25 families in the west Kanto area, 25 families in the east Kanto area, and 25 families living in apartments in the east Kanto area. After analyzing the obtained data, two types of operating ratios were introduced—an outdoor-temperature-associated operating ratio and an hour-associated operating ratio. It was found that there is essentially little difference in the operating ratios among the monitored sections or among the monitored months in the same season. After performing a cluster analysis on the operating ratios, the most influential operation pattern for the total operating time was ascertained. Finally, an appropriate and simple method for obtaining the APF of actual RAC usage is outlined.

論題

Actual Room Air Conditioner Usage in the Residential Sector of Japan

著者

Hiroaki OKAMOTO, Chitose TANAKA, and Eiji HIHARA

掲載誌

Proceedings of Asian Conference on Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Xi’an, China, No. 3009, August, 2012