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Fundamental Series Item :Choosing the Best 1~IVAC System <br />file:///cl/windows/TEMP/0,2637,162$7,( <br />' 27 <br />Window-Mounted Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps <br />Window-mounted air conditioners and heat pumps cool or heat individual conditioner <br />They have a low initial cast and are quick and easy to install. They are also used to <br />a central heating or cooling system or to condition selected spaces when the central <br />shuts down. When used with a central system, the units usually serve only part of the <br />conditioned by the central system. In such applications, both the central system and <br />units are sized to cool the particular conditioned space adequately without the other <br />In other applications, where window units are added to supplement an inadequate e~ <br />system, they are selected and sized to meet the required capacity when both systerc <br />Window units require outside air and cannot be used for interior rooms. <br />Window units are factory-assembled with individual controls. However, when severs <br />used in a single space, the controls may be interlocked to prevent simultaneous hea <br />cooling. For energy management in hotels, motels and other hospitality applications, <br />on/off control system may be used to de-energize units in unoccupied rooms. Other <br />consider when selecting window unit systems are that window units are built to applio <br />standards, rather than building equipment standards, so they may have a relatively s <br />high energy usage. <br />Through-The-Wall Mounted Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps, PT, <br />PTHPs <br />Through-the-wall air-conditioners, packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs), heat <br />packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHPs) incorporate a complete self-contained air-a <br />direct-expansion (DX) coaling system, a heating system (gas, electric, hot water, ar <br />controls, and fan in an individual package. They are designed to cool or heat individ~ <br />Each space is an individual occupant-controlled zone into which cooled or heated air <br />discharged in response to thermostatic control to meet space requirements. <br />These systems are usually installed i <br />motels, office buildings, and schools. <br />commercial grade. <br />n apartments, assisted-living facilities, hospitals <br />Units range from appliance grade to heavy-dut <br />Unitary System Selection Guidelines <br />Unitary systems are selected when it is decided that.a central HVAC system is too la <br />expensive for a particular project, or a combination system (central and unitary) is ne <br />certain areas or zones to supplement the central system. For example, unitary syste <br />frequently used for perimeter spaces in combination with a central all-air system thal <br />interior building spaces. This combination will usually provide greater temperature ar <br />control, air quality, and air (conditioned air and ventilation air) distribution patterns, th <br />possible with central or unitary units alone. As with any HVAC system, both the adva <br />the disadvantages of unitary systems should be carefully examined to ensure that th <br />selected will perform as intended for the particular application. <br />Factors to consider when selecting. unitary systems include: <br />Heating and cooling capability can be provided at all times, independent of atl <br />in the building but basic systems do not provide close humidity control. Howe <br />humidity control is not needed far most applications. Close humidity control, if <br />computer room applications or the like, can be accomplished by selecting spe <br />purpose packaged units. Only the one unit and one temperature zone is affec <br />malfunctions. One drawback of unitary units is that the operating sound levels <br />high. Another is that appearance can be unappealing. Other disadvantages ai <br />filtration options may be limited and outdoor air economizers are not always a <br />provide low cast cooling. Also, condensate can be a problem if proper remove <br />provided. <br />Individual room control (on/off and temperature) is simple and inexpensive. H <br />because temperature control is usually two-position, there can be swings in rc <br />temperature. The air distribution can be adjusted by the occupant, but is IimitE <br />airflow quantity is fixed by design. Ventilation air is provided whenever the cor <br />