With the goal of optimizing three functional aspects of residential air conditioning systems, a recent Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Institute (ARTI) report identifies the mechanical components, design and installation practices, and load reduction strategies most acceptable among homeowners, builders, and architects, as well as the market barriers facing optimized systems.
The report, System Optimization of Residential Ventilation, Space Conditioning, and Thermal Distribution, was prepared by Proctor Engineering Group, Ltd. of San Rafael, Calif. with funding from ARTI. It identifies and evaluates system integration concepts for low-rise residential structures, and ranks them in order of merit, according to the following criteria: perceived costs, first cost, expected reliability, energy and other operating costs, peak-load reduction, thermal comfort, health and safety impacts, the likelihood of acceptance by industry and consumers, and major changes required for market acceptance by homeowners, architects, builders, HVAC contractors, distributors, and manufacturers.