National Electricity Consumption - Research Paper Example

 Abstract The space heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is one of the most gadget that is used in modern day residences. The system is much complex and some home owners may not own the whole of it but at least they have an air conditioner to their name. The air conditioner is an important apparatus, mandated with the task of regulating the room temperature. This research paper focuses on shedding light on the reasons that may lead to the replacement of the HVAC. Some of the reason are somehow technical, citing the explanation that they maybe faulty, the total electricity consumption is on the increase or is above the set standard. Thus this research will also focus on the main reasons that guarantee the replacement of the whole system, since some of the identified problems may be solvable. According to Robertson, S. I(2001), the best approach to problem solving, is coming up with the easy solutions. Hence before considering replacing the whole system one should consider replacing the various components in the HVAC like the thermostat. The research paper will focus on the above named issues and go dipper on giving long term solutions. Keywords:HVAC, thermostat, replacement Table of Contents 1. Introduction Statement of the problem Rationale Assumptions 2.Intellectual Property Issues 3. Budget Overview 4.Executive Analysis 5.Problem Analysis Desired state Current state Description of problem gap 5.Performance Criteria 6. Focusing of the Task Objective 7. Limitations and delimitations of the project 8. Hypothesis Solution Proposal Method Instrumentation 9. Data collection and recording 10. Implications Statement of the Problem The problem under analysi is a matter that affects all people, irrespective of their races and geographical location. However the problem varies from various countries on the basis of the available technology, national electricity consumption and weather patterns. The issue under analysis involves the decision on what to consider when replacing a HVAC gadget. According to the United States Department of Energy(2011) the usage of air conditioners has increased considerably from about 68 percent in 1993 to 87 percent in 2009. Some of this change can be attributed to the climatic change that is experienced all over the world due to the various air and environmental pollution. However the increase can also be attributed to the constant quest of human beings to make the living space more habitable. In an effort to realize better HVAC performance various suggestions have been brought up to replace the current one. Rationale Many reasons have been cited trying to explain why the HVAC system should be replaced. The department of energy in the United States Federal government advices homeowners to replace their air conditioners after a period of about 10 years. The reason they have quoted is that, in order to ensure saving of energy the replacement is very essential. Evidently, various governments and companies come up with various adjustment to the existing gadgets as years go by. This is reflected by the major milestone that have been realized in the various industries. For example, the motor vehicle industry has achieved the production of the electricity powered cars. Therefore amidst all the discoveries, there are possibilities that someone will come up with new designs and less electricity consuming air conditioners. Thus it is under this argument that the department of energy argues its case. Another reason is that human technology is obviously not perfect so sometimes some anticipated cases such as breakdown of equipment may occur. Therefore more research should be done to improve on the current ones. Assumptions Most homeowners have a genuine reason behind replacing their old air conditioners with a HCAV system. But one of the major assumptions made when replacing the system is way better and more efficient. Though this may be the truth other factors have to come under deliberation before settling on the system to be used. The HCVA system is considerably more efficient. Thus the humidity produced increases after the replacement, wooden houses are affected by the excessive humidity leading to the weathering of the wood. This among other issues, will be reflected on later. Most people base their preference of HVAC on cost and energy efficiency but this should not be the case. Limitations When it comes to the replacement of the cooling system as illustrated earlier, people are usually blinded by the energy efficiency level of the HVAC, and they do not consider the cost of installation and the efficiency level of the gadget. Obviously, are the best equipment to consider when considering to improve the cooling system but the size and layout of a given room are the important factors to consider since the system might prove to be ineffective. We may take a different look into the above named issue. Thus considering the currently used air conditioners we find that they are prone to failing oftenly and thus the homeowner has to part with money every now and then. Another factor worth noting is that air conditioners require routine maintenance which may in a way tamper with the functionality of the system. Intellectual Property Issues Some of the issues which we ought to consider when coming up with a good report is the originality of the content. Therefore the writers original work is protected from use by other writers. In accordance to the set rules the owner who is also the owner of the patent and the copyright is the only person who can authorize the use of his property. Budget Overview Seleen, Woods and Harmon (1993) explain that to achieve better efficiency in the performance of the HVAC system, there was a commissioning of the training of various operators which produced first class buildings. Therefore the government at the time had to invest in education to educate the people on the relevant fields. Therefore the designers of the various HVAC appliances ought to come up with an appropriate design and surface area ratio that will ensure that the equipment works appropriately. The system should definitely be an improvement of the older one and thus it should be of a high speed and also the noise it produces should be minimal. Some of the major changes that should be done to the home appliance is the addition of the nonazeotropic refrigeration system that keeps the temperature in check. According to BBC(2013) the greater the surface area to volume ratio the more the heat loss. Therefore a smaller HVAC system is more effective than a larger one. So obviously people can save on the acquisition cost while getting efficient services compared to before. Notably, before choosing on what HVAC system the home owner should assess the area requiring the replacement and choose the most appropriate one. There are a number of systems that can be used. The single zone system is only used in one area of a building. When the client wishes to cover a bigger area he or she can choose from the multiple zone system. On other times the client may opt for a system that is more personalized. In the basis that the temperature can be regulated to a constant level. The more flexible the system is more it is efficient, and when in need of a more specialized system the user can use the one that suits his/her preferences. Among other issues to be considered is the fact the system must be environmental problems. Some of the environmental problems include the emission of dangerous fumes. Formation of electrical current is attributed to the burning down of coal, The emissions from this practices lead to environmental pollution since coal emits dangerous fumes. Executive Analysis This report is an indication of the various factors that affect and lead to the replacement of the air conditioning system. It seeks to come up with an efficient and more above all a system that has improved performance. The United States Department of Energy (2013) quotes that the only way to ensure that a system is working properly is assess its performance. One way that can be used to monitor the performance of a gadget is the noise that it makes when it is switched on. Faulty HVAC systems do not switch themselves off. This may make them to go for a an entire without being switched off and as a result the electricity consumption will be increased. Problem Analysis Desired state. There are a couple of problems that had been cited earlier and under this subtopic we will reflect on the state that we should be in to ensure better HVAC performance. First it is expected that the air conditioner will run for a maximum of three cycles in a hour. If the air conditioner runs continuously, it is obvious that a problem with the thermostat has occurred. An effective thermostat is one that manages to regulate the room temperatures to the desired level. Current state According to my research the customer called in for a problem that the air conditioner kept running continuously without stoppage. This was a problem to do with poor inflow of air. Therefore I noted that the gadget wasn’t performing at an optimum level as required and thus, since the required temperatures were not reached it kept running longer to bridge the gap between the room temperature and the desired temperature. Description of problem gap This part according to my research covers the various issues that are likely to happen. In my case the continuous air conditioner may lead to various consequences. One being that the cost used to run the system is prone to increase. Another evident impact, is the fact that the required room temperature and cooling standard will not be reached. The homeowner should ensure that the air conditioner is replaced with one that works better or maintain the current one. Performance Criteria Different houses vary with their size and lay out. Therefore, some of them often contain complex HVAC systems that constitute HVAC equipment control system, and distribution systems. This project focuses on the air conditioner which is a component of the HVAC system.. Some of the equipment that were listed under this category included electric centrifugal chillers, oil fired boilers, gas furnace, gas-fired boilers, and split are and electric package conditioners. Focusing of the Task Objective The task at hand is a clear indication of what would happen if the current HVAC system was replaced with a new one. The main problem cited is the high power consumption level of electricity and lack of effectiveness in the system. Thus my objective is to ensure that everything coordinates well and generally the number of hours that the system is on, are reduced. While focusing on this problems I should deliberate whether the best way to improve the situation is by replacing the whole system or it is by adding some new parts to the original system. Limitations and delimitations of the project. Some of the limitations of the project according to Carrier (2011) is that the replacement of the whole system is costly. Secondly the new system may prove to be less effective.Thus one should check the pressures, temperatures, and amps of new installed system and compare them with the previous one to ensure that the incurred cost is catered for. Hypothesis Solution Proposal Method My problem solving process was guided by extensive research ranging from books, articles and websites. Majority of the proposed solution were from a long run perspective. After serious deliberations, I would list the various points and note down the most applicable in the given context. Instrumentation The commonly used units of measure to establish the cooling levels are known as Btu. The two major types of heat measured is the sensible and latent heat. Latent heat mainly involves measures removal of humidity in the air Data collection and recording. The data used to come up with a viable conclusion on the problem affecting the HVAC system was first acquired using the interviewing method. Later I carried out an observation of the above named system and from the observation I was able to give conclusive answers towards the looming problem. According to Eau Claire(2001) sampling is the most effective data collection method. Evidently there is need to increase the number of the systems in the market to reduce the exorbitant prices. Implications Acquisition of a new system may need additional costs for maintenance and price. Also according to Demand Media(2013) the energy costs are to be considered. Thus a new system may lead to an increase in the cost of energy or basically the system maybe noisy due to its size. References American Institute of Architects. (1982). HVAC systems. Washington, D.C: The Institute. Leslie Jones & Associates., & Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (1991). HVAC systems in multi-unit high rise residential buildings: Final report. Ottawa: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Wild, L. J., & Building Services Research and Information Association. (1988). Commissioning HVAC systems: Division of responsibilities. Bracknell, Berks: Building Services Research and Information Association. Training Source, Inc. (1997). Air conditioner fundamentals. Mt. Washington, KY: Training Source. Reed, R., & Richard Reed Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. (2009). Central air conditioner maintenance and repair. S.l.: Richard Reed Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Building Strategies, Does application of Green TECHNOLOGIES Always result in increased HVAC capital costs, www.bssmagazine.ca/variablerefrigirantflowsystems.aspx viewed on 30th march 2013 Meredith J. Demand media, the disadvantages of Air Conditioning, 2013www.ehow.comviewed on 30th march 2013 Rob. F, Practical Standards to measure HVAC system Perfomance,2006, m.contractingbusiness.com/archieve/practical-standards-measure-hvac-system-perfomanceviewed on 30th march 2013 Findlocal,Energy efficient Air conditioners make swamp coolers Obselete,2012, www.findlocal-hvac.com/blog/tag/swamp-cooler-disadvantages/viewed on 30th march 2013 Hunt. P, What Are The Disadvantages of Air Conditioning, www.ehow.com/info_8540899_disadvantages-air-conditioning.htmlviewed on 30th march 2013 Read More