Air conditioner guide

A guide to assist with the design, installation and maintenance of air conditioners

May 2011

Air conditioner guide

-1-

Growth Management Queensland The state government, through Growth Management Queensland, is leading the way with a focused approach to growth management, to help shape tomorrows Queensland. Growth Management Queensland has the task of managing the impacts of population growth through sustainable planning practices, timely provision of infrastructure to support our population and delivering best practice building standards.

Looking forward and delivering nowintegrated planning, strong local government and development for a growing state. State of Queensland. Published by the Department of Local Government and Planning, May 2011, 100 George Street, Brisbane Qld 4000. The Queensland Government supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of information. However, copyright protects this publication. The State of Queensland has no objection to this material being reproduced, made available online or electronically but only if it is recognised as the owner of the copyright and this material remains unaltered. Copyright inquiries about this publication should be directed to the departments Legal Services division via email copyright@dlgp.qld.gov.au or in writing to PO Box 15009, City East, Queensland 4002. The Queensland Government is committed to providing accessible services to Queenslanders of all cultural and linguistic backgrounds. If you have difficulty understanding this publication and need a translator, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to telephone the Queensland Department of Local Government and Planning on 07 3227 8548. Disclaimer: While every care has been taken in preparing this publication, the State of Queensland accepts no responsibility for decisions or actions taken as a result of any data, information, statement or advice, expressed or implied, contained within. To the best of our knowledge, the content was correct at the time of publishing. Any references to legislation are not an interpretation of the law. They are to be used as a guide only. The information in this publication is general and does not take into account individual circumstances or situations. Where appropriate, independent legal advice should be sought.

BCR_0133.001_Pu

Air conditioner guide

-2-

Contents
1 2 3 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 5 6 6.1 7 8 Purpose ..............................................................................................................4 Scope .................................................................................................................4 Thermal performance of the building shell ..........................................................4 Orientation .........................................................................................................5 Building materials ..............................................................................................5 Insulation ...........................................................................................................5 Air movementventilation, fans and seals .........................................................6 Windows .............................................................................................................7 Shading ..............................................................................................................7 Roof and external wall colour ..............................................................................7 Capacity and type of air conditioning system ......................................................8 System capacity (fit for purpose) ........................................................................8 Type of system ....................................................................................................8 Noise ..................................................................................................................9 Feature and functions of the system .................................................................10 Correct location of an air conditioning system ..................................................11 Correct installation of an air conditioning system .............................................12 Licensing ..........................................................................................................12 Efficient operation of the air conditioning system .............................................13 Maintenance of the air conditioning system......................................................14

For further information...............................................................................................16

Air conditioner guide

-3-

Purpose

This guide has been prepared to assist consumers and designers with the design, installation and maintenance of air conditioners to optimise their energy efficiency and comfort. This guide supplements the air conditioning section in the Guideline for Queensland Development Code MP 4.1Sustainable buildings.

Scope

The following information does not relate to mandatory requirements for air conditioners under the Queensland Development Code (QDC), but may be useful for achieving greater energy efficiency when cooling and heating a building. Greater efficiency can reduce the need to operate an air conditioning system and can save money on energy bills. Each of the following factors have the potential to significantly enhance or detract from the comfort of a building, as well as the effectiveness and energy efficiency performance of an air conditioner: thermal performance of the building shell (i.e. roof, walls, windows and floors) capacity and type of air conditioning system correct location of air conditioning system correct installation of air conditioning system efficient operation of air conditioning system maintenance of air conditioning system.

Thermal performance of the building shell

The term thermal performance in relation to a building shell refers to the amount of cooling and heating energy required to maintain comfortable temperatures within the building. Mechanical cooling and heating should never be used as a substitute for good design.

Air conditioner guide

-4-

The thermal performance of both existing and new buildings can be enhanced in a cost-effective manner through the use of passive design features that minimise the entry of summer heat to the building and the loss of warmth from the building in winter. The following features can reduce the need to operate mechanical cooling and heating: orientation building materials insulation air movementventilation, fans and seals windows shading roof and external wall colour.

3.1 Orientation
For new homes, the orientation of the building and room layout should take advantage of passive cooling and heating potential. This includes north facing living areas, placing infrequently used rooms/areas (e.g. laundries and garages) on the western side and windows and doors located to maximise cross-ventilation by natural breezes.

3.2 Building materials

When building a new home, consideration should be given to the thermal mass (i.e. the ability of material such as concrete and brick to absorb heat energy) and/or lightweight construction materials (such as timber and weather-board products). The colour of building materials can also have a significant impact on heat absorption, with lighter colours minimising heat gain. These factors should be discussed with the building designer during the early design phase.

3.3 Insulation
Insulation improves the energy efficiency of a home by reducing the rate of heat entering the home during summer and retaining indoor warmth during winter. Installation of suitably tested and rated insulation in ceilings and walls can assist in providing comfortable living temperatures.

Air conditioner guide

-5-

Where air conditioning is installed, insulation can provide the following benefits: up to 2030 per cent lower capacity of the system is required up to 3040 per cent less energy consumption per annum more stable temperature control and less wear-and-tear on the air conditioning unit. Insulation may be grouped into three broad categories: Bulkcontains fibres which trap pockets of air and resist heat flow e.g. batts or loose fill made of natural wool, recycled newspaper, glass wool, or polyester. Reflectivereduces infrared radiant heat transfer between hotter and cooler surfaces e.g. foil sheets or sarking. Compositethose types with the above two varieties combined e.g. batts with foil backing.

Insulation R-values
Insulation is measured by an R-value, which describes the thermal resistance of a material (i.e. how much it inhibits heat transfer). For further information on insulation refer to Appendix 3 of the Design guide for 6-star energy equivalence housing.

Condensation
Artificial cooling of buildings in some climates can cause condensation to form inside the layers of the building shell. Such condensation can cause significant structural or cosmetic damage to the shell before it is detected. Associated mould growth may also create health risks to the occupants. Effective control of condensation is a complex issue. In some locations a fully sealed vapour barrier may need to be installed on the more humid, or generally warmer, side of the insulation. Placing some of the required insulation at the roof level may result in a more practical outcome. Insulation at the roof level is effective in warm climates and significantly moderates the roof space extremes and condensation risk in cold climates.

3.4 Air movementventilation, fans and seals

Ventilation of the roof space (through the use of roof ventilators, eave or gable vents and/or whole-of-house fans) can assist in removing excess heat from the roof area during summer. Ventilation of the roof space will also allow any heat trapped by insulation to be released back into the atmosphere. Maximising cross-flow ventilation for natural breezes can be an energy efficient cooling option during summer.

Air conditioner guide

-6-

Ceiling, wall or pedestal fans can provide summer comfort in most conditions while using significantly less energy than air conditioning e.g. 65 watts for a fan compared to 500 watts maximum consumption for the smallest sized room air conditioner.

Where air conditioning is installed, the room or area should be properly sealed to prevent any conditioned air from escaping and using more energy than required. Gaps should be minimised, weather seals should be installed around doors and windows, and any gaps between floorboards should be sealed.

3.5 Windows
The style, size, number and location of windows should be considered to minimise undesirable heat potentially able to enter the home. The type of glazing, such as clear glass or treated glazing (e.g. low-e or tinted glass) or professionally fitted reflective film can also influence the amount of heat that can enter the house. Windows and glazing facing east, west and north-west need to be considered carefully. Heat entering into the home or building can also be reduced by installing external shading and light coloured curtains/blinds and by planting and locating garden vegetation to provide shade.

3.6 Shading
Heat penetration can be minimised by providing shading to windows and external walls (particularly those that receive direct sun) via large eaves, window awnings, shading devices (such as external blinds), vegetation and covered outdoor living areas, such as a verandah or balcony.

3.7 Roof and external wall colour

Roof and external wall colour can have a significant effect on the temperature inside a home. A light-coloured roof with good ceiling insulation will reduce the amount of heat entering the home, and allow for more comfortable temperatures inside. The thermal performance of dark roof materials may be improved by re-colouring or adding reflective treatments. External walls painted with a lighter colour can also assist in reflecting summer heat from entering the home.

Air conditioner guide

-7-

Capacity and type of air conditioning system

Selecting the right capacity and type of air conditioning system for a particular home can play an important part in reducing energy use.

4.1 System capacity (fit for purpose)

Selecting an air conditioning unit that is the wrong capacity for the size of room not only results in poor performance, but also in increased energy use and operating cost. It can also reduce the life-span of the system. An oversized unit costs more to run and an undersized unit can struggle to cool the space. Choosing a system with the right capacity, or fit for purpose, may involve an on-site evaluation by an air conditioning professional and should consider the following: home floor plan, house construction type (materials), insulation and sealing of openings orientation and size of rooms to be air-conditioned and surface areas of exposed glass ceiling height (floor to ceiling) and height of roof cavity (ceiling to roof apex) likely occupancy of the home maximum and minimum floor area to be air-conditioned simultaneously the climate zone in which the home is located. Homeowners are able to use an on-line calculator provided at the FairAir1 website (www.fairair.com.au) to perform a rudimentary estimate of the capacity required in kilowatts (kW). It should be noted however that professional advice should be sought before finalising the unit capacity required for a specific application.

4.2 Type of system

There are several distinct types of air conditioning units that need to meet the Queensland requirements and are suitable for residential applications. These include: window/wall box units (usually for one room)

FairAir is a website provided by the Australian Institute of Refrigeration Air conditioning and Heating (AIRAH)

Air conditioner guide

-8-

 split systems (usually for one or two rooms. These may be high-wall, floor-mounted or ceiling cassette systems) multi-split systems (usually for three or more adjacent rooms) ducted systems (whole-of-house). It is recommended that professional advice be sought to determine the type of system most suited to a particular application to maximise the systems energy efficiency and lifespan.

4.3 Noise
Internal noise
Some air conditioning systems can create excessive internal noise that may interfere with sleep or conversation. The sound power rating (dBA) of indoor units should be compared prior to purchase. This information is usually contained within manufacturers brochures or labelled on the system itself.

External noise
Careful consideration should be given to the location of the air conditioning system as nuisance laws apply to residential amenity. These laws can account for proximity to neighbouring properties and include noise levels. State legislation sets some broad standards for noise levels from air conditioners. Section 440U of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 states the following in relation to air conditioners (referred to as nuisance regulations): An occupier of the premises must not use, or permit the use of, the equipment on any day (a) before 7.00a.m., if it makes a noise of more than 3dB(A) above the background level; or (b) from 7.00a.m. to 10.00p.m., if it makes a noise of more than 5dB(A) above the background level; or (c) after 10.00p.m., if it makes a noise of more than 3dB(A) above the background level. It should be noted that the responsibility for these noise provisions has been transferred to local governments. Individual local governments may amend the state government requirements through local laws.

Air conditioner guide

-9-

Requirements for external noise levels can differ between local government areas so purchasers should check with their local government that the sound power rating (dBA) of the outdoor (condensing) unit complies with local requirements before buying an air conditioner. Body corporate provisions may also affect additional noise or system size restrictions, so confirm if any relevant community management statements or by-laws apply. The following factors can influence the amount or effects of noise produced by an air conditioning system: Location of the outdoor (condensing) unit: avoid placing the unit adjacent to neighbouring bedroom windows, outdoor living areas, etc. avoid placing the unit adjacent to hard surfaces such as walls or overhangs, which may cause noise reverberation or amplification. Type of air conditioner: the noise produced by inverter or digital scroll type units may be less intrusive due to reduced stopping and starting of the unit. Sound barriers: noise dampening covers, acoustic enclosures and barriers such as fences and dense shrubs can be used to reduce travel of noise. However care should be taken to avoid recirculating hot air from the outdoor unit. Further information relating to noise from air conditioners may also be found in the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air conditioning and Heatings Residential Air

Conditioning Best Practice Guideline.

4.4 Feature and functions of the system

When selecting the most suitable air conditioning system for a home, other important considerations may include: Reverse cycle units can have benefits for regions that experience cooler winters, as they can provide an efficient heating option. Inverter or digital scroll type units may provide enhanced energy efficiency, especially where the system will be operated frequently throughout the year. Split systems are generally more energy efficient to operate than cheaper window/wall box units.

Air conditioner guide

- 10 -

 Load control systems have built-in demand response capability, i.e. the ability to be cycled on and off during periods of peak electricity demand, as per Australian Standard 4755.3.12008. This may enable householders to take advantage of any reduced electricity tariffs if they were to be offered in the future for systems with demand response capability. Automatic timers can provide greater control over energy use, such as the capability to turn the unit on and off at a pre-set time. Systems can have a wide airflow range, from very high (to help the room cool or heat quickly) to low (for reduced noise). Greater energy efficiency may be achieved with ducted systems where: the system includes a zone controller allowing unoccupied rooms/areas to be turned off (most homes will require four to eight zones, and will particularly benefit where each zone can be set to a pre-selected temperature and time) the layout of the ductwork in the ceiling has been designed by a competent professional to minimise cool air losses (poor duct design will seriously impact on the energy efficiency and lifespan of all brands of air conditioners) the design of the ductwork and zoning system does not require wasteful dump zones (where conditioned air is constantly supplied regardless of whether the area is occupied) all ductwork and duct components are rated at a minimum of R-1.0 thermal performance and preferably R-1.5 (particularly in high humidity climate zones).

Correct location of an air conditioning system

The outdoor (condensing) unit should be located where it: is on the shady side of the building or in a shaded area away from the direct western sun has unobstructed airflow to prevent over-heating of the motor is not adjacent to neighbours windows, outdoor living areas, etc to minimise effects of potential noise from the system during operation is not adjacent to walls, fences or overhangs that could cause hot air recirculation and/or noise amplification is not more than 15 metres away from the indoor unit location.

Air conditioner guide

- 11 -

Correct installation of an air conditioning system

Correct installation of an air conditioning system can enhance the energy efficiency and lifespan of the equipment. Refrigerant pipework should be: refrigeration-grade tube (not plumbing tube) pressure-tested for leaks after installation properly evacuated to remove all air before charging with refrigerant gas (i.e. using a professional vacuum pump for a number of hours) suitably insulated and encased within UV resistant pipe duct.

For ducted systems, it is recommended that: all ductwork and duct components have a minimum R-value of R-1.0 (and preferably R-1.5, particularly in high humidity climate zones) kinks, sharp bends and any other potential blockages in ductwork are minimised ductwork should be properly sealed so that leakage of conditioned air into the ceiling cavity is minimised runs of flexible ductwork from the indoor unit (i.e. located in the ceiling) to each ceiling or wall vent do not exceed 15 metres in total length.

6.1 Licensing
Purchasers of air conditioning installation services should request proof of licence currency for the type of work to be undertaken. Depending on the application, this will include most or all of the following licences:

Refrigerant handling licence

Any person who handles refrigerant is required to have a current refrigerant handlers licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC). Handling a refrigerant means to do anything that carries the risk of a refrigerants emission to the atmosphere, including installing, commissioning, servicing or maintaining equipment that will contain a fluorocarbon refrigeranteven if the refrigerant is not present. This means that the entire installation must be completed by a licensed person, not just the final commissioning of the system.

Air conditioner guide

- 12 -

Regardless of any other license held (such as an electrical contracting or Building Services AuthorityBSA licence) it is essential that all installers hold a current ARC full refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) or Restricted split system installation and decommissioning licence. Further, technicians with a refrigerants handlers licence are obliged to work to a range of standards, including the Australia and New Zealand Handling Code of Practice 2007. This code of practice outlines the standards that installations of air conditioning systems must meet. For further details contact ARC at www.arctick.org or (07) 3207 4222 in Queensland.

Building Services Authority licence

In addition to the above ARC licence, where installation work is valued at more than $3300 (including labour and materials) the installer requires a BSA licence. For further details contact the BSA at www.bsa.qld.gov.au or 1300 272 272.

Electrical Contracting licence

In all cases where electrical installation workincluding interconnection cablingis required, this work must only be performed by a licensed electrical mechanic. A licensed electrical contracting company may be required to undertake the electrical installation work. For further details, contact the electrical safety office at www.eso.qld.gov.au or 1300 650 662.

Efficient operation of the air conditioning system

The efficiency of an air conditioning system can be enhanced by taking the following approach before and during operation. Before turning air conditioning on: in summer, open the windows and doors to allow breezes to travel through the home and expel as much hot air as possible try using ceiling fans, wall fans or pedestal fans whenever possible as an alternative to operating the air conditioning system in summer. Fans consume significantly less energy and will provide satisfactory comfort in many cases. When operating air conditioning: close all external windows and doors

Air conditioner guide

- 13 -

 close window blinds/curtains on hot summer days and cold winter nights, especially for windows facing east (in the morning) and west or north west (in the afternoon) close internal doors, if possible, to separate areas that are occupied and require air conditioning from those that are unoccupied when turning the air conditioning on, consider setting the off time in advance do not set the thermostat to a higher (or lower) temperature than is actually required (setting the thermostat lower in summer does not make the unit cool faster). Seasonal thermostat settings should be: - no less than 24o C during summer - no more than 21o C in winter (if the unit is reverse cycle). if the unit has adjustable blades to direct the airflow, direct them towards the ceiling when cooling (warm air rises), and towards the floor when heating (cool air falls) if a hot day is expected, turn on the unit earlier in the day (as it operates more efficiently when the outside temperature is cooler) instead of waiting until later when the building becomes hotter do not leave an air conditioner running if no one will be home for more than an hour as this will provide little benefit on return and can waste large amounts of energy while the home is unoccupied. If a dwelling is to have air conditioning in an internal living area that is connected to an outdoor living area, owners should consider installing an automatic switching device to the doors leading to the outdoor living area. The switch could ensure the air conditioning unit switches off if the doors to the outdoor living area remain open for a set time (e.g. one minute), thereby reducing household energy consumption.

Maintenance of the air conditioning system

The maintenance procedure, including removing and cleaning/replacing the filter, should be outlined in the air conditioners instruction manual. It is recommended that the householder refer to this, or alternatively, contact an air conditioning professional. The return air filter should be cleaned (or replaced depending on the model) at least every three monthsas dirty filters can have impact on energy efficiency. This can be done by the householder.

Air conditioner guide

- 14 -

Filters may be located in hinged filter frames attached to the return air grille, or in another position along the duct that returns air from the house to the air conditioner. Some filters are not reusable and will need to be replaced each time, while others may be able to be cleaned with a cloth or rag and then washed in soapy water (be mindful to dry the filter properly before re-inserting into the air conditioner). Vacuuming certain filters may also be effective, although care needs to be taken because of the potential to damage the filter. It is also generally recommended that an annual service be completed to maintain efficiency of the air conditioning system. This should be performed by a suitably qualified and licensed tradesperson, and include: a basic check of the systems operation including air-on and air-off temperatures cleaning of the return air filter checking the level of refrigerant charge, for evidence of refrigerant leaks and ensuring correct operation of all fan motors and louvres chemical cleaning of the indoor and outdoor heat exchanger coils if significantly blocked.

Air conditioner guide

- 15 -

For further information

Regulatory
Queensland Development Code All parts of the QDC are available on the Department of Local Government and Plannings website at www.dlgp.qld.gov.au Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) Provides access to energy ratings for air conditioners under MEPS at www.energyrating.gov.au Australian Standards Provides access to Australian Standards, including air conditioners at www.saiglobal.com

Air conditioner guide

- 16 -

Useful websites
Air conditioning residential best practice guideline (Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air conditioning and Heating) Guideline for suppliers, installers and maintainers of air conditioners which outlines best practice installation and load calculation and noise measurement and mitigation at www.airah.org.au Air conditioner noise calculator Calculates the amount of noise that will be produced by an air conditioner at www.fairair.com.au Your Homes technical information www.yourhome.gov.au Building Services Authority The Building Services Authority (BSA) includes information on licensing and contracting for tradespeople and consumers at www.bsa.qld.gov.au Electrical Safety Office The Electrical Safety Office (ESO) includes information on licensing and contracting for tradespeople and consumers at www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au Insulation handbook Provides details on thermal performance calculations for typical building applications at www.icanz.org.au Glazing calculators Provides calculations to assist with glazing requirements at www.abcb.gov.au Windows Provides a list of windows rated for their energy performance at www.wers.net Designing for Queenslands climate Provides information on concepts of smart and sustainable housing design suitable for Queenslands climate zones at www.works.qld.gov.au Building designers Building Designers Association of Queensland at www.bdaq.com.au Architects Australian Institute of Architects at www.architecture.com.au Building certifiers Australian Institute of Building Surveyors at www.aibs.com.au Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors at www.rics.org/oceania

Air conditioner guide

- 17 -

General reference
Further information on passive design features, photovoltaic (solar) energy systems, air conditioners, lighting and hot water systems is available from the websites listed below. Orientation www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au www.yourhome.gov.au Sun paths www.works.qld.gov.au Shading www.yourhome.gov.au Glazing www.yourhome.gov.au Insulation www.yourhome.gov.au

Air conditioner guide

- 18 -