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1 – 10 of over 50000Fairouz Al Gharib and Walid Marrouch
This study aims to examine the impact of local air pollution on the presence of central air conditioners in apartments in Lebanon.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the impact of local air pollution on the presence of central air conditioners in apartments in Lebanon.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applies a Probit model in a unique data set on apartments’ listings for sale in Lebanon collected by Marrouch and Sayour (2021). The data set includes information about air pollution concentrations, dwellings’ characteristics, geographic features and location characteristics.
Findings
This study finds that local air pollution positively and significantly affects the presence of central air conditioning in dwellings. The estimated increase in the probability of having central air conditioning for a one microgram per cubic meter increase in Particulate Matter 2.5 concentration is 6.4%.
Research limitations/implications
The data set in this study is cross-sectional and thus does not capture variations over time for the examined variables.
Practical implications
The Probit regression approximates an equation that can predict the presence of central air conditioners in dwellings, which might be useful to policymakers.
Social implications
The findings suggest that local pollution is a significant factor in household behavior in Lebanon.
Originality/value
This paper adds to the scant literature studying the effects of air pollution on the presence of central air conditioning in developing countries. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to study the impact of air pollution on the presence of central air conditioning in the Middle East and North Africa Region.
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This paper explores whether the spread of air conditioning in the United States from 1960 to 1990 affected quality of life in warmer areas enough to influence decisions about…
Abstract
This paper explores whether the spread of air conditioning in the United States from 1960 to 1990 affected quality of life in warmer areas enough to influence decisions about where to live, or to change North-South wage and rent differentials. Using measures designed to identify climates in which air conditioning would have made the biggest difference, I found little evidence that the flow of elderly migrants to MSAs with such climates increased over the period. Following Roback (1982), I analyzed data on MSA wages, rents, and climates from 1960 to 1990, and find that the implicit price of these hot summer climates did not change significantly from 1960 to 1980, then became significantly negative in 1990. This contrary to what one would expect if air conditioning made hot summers more bearable. I presented evidence that hot summers are an inferior good, which would explain part of the negative movement in the implicit price of a hot summer, and evidence consistent with the hypothesis that the marginal person migrating from colder to hotter MSAs dislikes summer heat more than does the average resident of a hot MSA, which would also exert downward pressure on the implicit price of a hot summer.
Charisis G. Vrellas and Theoklitos S. Karakatsanis
The purpose of this paper is to describe and categorize calculation methods for conducting a complete air conditioning study. More specifically, this paper is a general review of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe and categorize calculation methods for conducting a complete air conditioning study. More specifically, this paper is a general review of cooling loads calculation methods, psychrometric calculations for installing a central air conditioning unit, ways of fan coil units connection and air duct calculation methods.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper was based on two pillars: a dissertation for an industrial facility and technical information found after methodical research.
Findings
After a brief reference of the calculation methods and the air conditioning systems installed in this industrial facility, this paper concludes with the most appropriate calculation methods for this industrial facility.
Research limitations/implications
This study describes some calculation methods. Thus, future research could be addressed toward the analysis of more methods.
Practical implications
This paper includes implications for choosing the most appropriate calculation method according to the air conditioning system installed.
Originality/value
The originality of this paper lies in the fact that, except for the theoretical part, there are some examples taken from a case study, thus it can be used as a future guide for selecting methods and systems of industrial air conditioning.
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Reviews development in air conditioning from cave dwellers to themid 1970s in the UK. Presents an overview of common air conditioningsystems, with their relative merits. Concludes…
Abstract
Reviews development in air conditioning from cave dwellers to the mid 1970s in the UK. Presents an overview of common air conditioning systems, with their relative merits. Concludes that air conditioning gives increased comfort levels and efficiency. Argues that the design of systems should be user‐led, rather than technology‐driven.
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Stephen Edwards and Terry Wyatt
Air‐conditioning installations in buildings have been the focus of much criticism, with many commentators going so far as to propose a causal connection between sick buildings and…
Sonali A. Deshmukh, Praveen Barmavatu, Mihir Kumar Das, Bukke Kiran Naik, Vineet Singh Sikarwar, Alety Shivakrishna, Radhamanohar Aepuru and Rathod Subash
This study has covered many types of solar-powered air-conditioning systems that may be used as an alternative to traditional electrically powered air-conditioning systems in…
Abstract
This study has covered many types of solar-powered air-conditioning systems that may be used as an alternative to traditional electrically powered air-conditioning systems in order to reduce energy usage. Solar adsorption air cooling is a great alternative to traditional vapor compression air-conditioning. Solar adsorption has several advantages over traditional vapor-compression systems, including being a green cooling technology which uses solar energy to drive the cycle, using pure water as an eco-friendly HFC-free refrigerant, and being mechanically simple with only the magnetic valves as moving parts. Several advancements and breakthroughs have been developed in the area of solar adsorption air-conditioners during the previous decade. However, further study is required before this technology can be put into practise. As a result, this book chapter highlights current research that adds to the understanding of solar adsorption air-conditioning technologies, with a focus on practical research. These systems have the potential to become the next iteration of air-conditioning systems, with the benefit of lowering energy usage while using plentiful solar energy supplies to supply the cooling demand.
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This article discusses the basics of computer‐room air conditioning, an important component of the special environment required by mainframe computers and many mini‐computers as…
Abstract
This article discusses the basics of computer‐room air conditioning, an important component of the special environment required by mainframe computers and many mini‐computers as well. Computer room air conditioners differ in some significant ways from “comfort” air‐conditioners, which are designed for the comfort of people rather than machines. These differences make it less than ideal to use air conditioning systems designed for human comfort for computer cooling. The author describes several different types of air‐conditioners, considerations related to the construction of a computer room, and factors that determine air‐conditioning requirements.
D.S.N. Senarathna, K.G.A.S. Waidyasekara and S.S.C.G. Vidana
The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system is a significant energy consumer in built environments, and the building energy consumption could be minimised by…
Abstract
Purpose
The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system is a significant energy consumer in built environments, and the building energy consumption could be minimised by optimising HVAC controls. Hence, this paper aims to investigate the applicability of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) air conditioning systems for optimising the indoor comfort of buildings in Sri Lanka.
Design/methodology/approach
To address the research aim, the quantitative approach following the survey research strategy was deployed. Data collected through questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistical tools, including Mean Rating (MR), Relative Important Index (RII) and Standard Deviation (SD).
Findings
The findings revealed that VRF systems are popularly used in Sri Lankan apartment buildings. Furthermore, energy efficiency and comfort were recognised as the most significant top-ranked benefits, while ventilation issues and initial cost were recognised as significant challenges. Moreover, the allocation of trained technicians and provision of proper ventilation through a Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) were highlighted as applicable mitigation strategies for the identified challenges in VRFs.
Practical implications
The study recommends VRF systems as a suitable technology to ensure energy efficiency, reduce GHG emissions and achieve climate performance within the built environment. The opportunities for adopting VRF systems for developing countries could be explored based on the research findings. The identified challenges would assist the design engineers and facilities professionals to devise suitable strategies to mitigate issues of VRF systems in developing countries.
Originality/value
This research provides empirical proof of the energy efficiency and comfort aspects of VRFs. The study has explored and recommended VRF technology as a beneficial application to overcome the persistent energy crisis in developing countries.
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Last month the properties of air were discussed and an introduction was given to the various air treatments necessary for preventing the corrosion of metal in storage. Here, the…
Abstract
Last month the properties of air were discussed and an introduction was given to the various air treatments necessary for preventing the corrosion of metal in storage. Here, the operation of the different systems is discussed in greater detail. Also considered is the approach made by the designer of air‐conditioning systems after basic requirements have been specified.
W.L. Tse, Albert T.P. So, W.L. Chan and Ida K.Y. Mak
To examine the role of predicted mean vote (PMV) in air‐conditioned environments by conducting a thermal comfort study.
Abstract
Purpose
To examine the role of predicted mean vote (PMV) in air‐conditioned environments by conducting a thermal comfort study.
Design/methodology/approach
A formal statistical approach was adopted for the credibility of the study. Thermal measurements and questionnaire filling were carried out in commercial offices to collect the required data. Statistical analysis on the collected data and logical reasoning were then employed to derive the conclusions.
Findings
Provide an evidence to support PMV to be an appropriate thermal comfort index in air‐conditioned environments. Guarantee high productivity of occupants by using PMV in air‐conditioning control.
Research limitations/implications
Future research work should be carried out to investigate any significant relationship between improvement in PMV and the profits gained by occupants inside an air‐conditioned space. With such relationship, it is possible to develop an intelligent air‐conditioning control to yield the most cost‐effective thermal environments for commercial offices.
Practical implications
Air‐conditioning engineers are highly recommended to employ PMV to assess the thermal comfort environment in air‐conditioned offices.
Originality/value
This paper highlights the importance aspect on choosing a thermal comfort index for comfort assessment in air‐conditioned offices. The index itself should not consider adaptive actions. Otherwise, the productivity of occupants would be severely deteriorated. It is well known that PMV is the thermal comfort index that can fulfill this requirement.
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