The Aircon Mizer

FAQ

What is the AirconMiser®?

How does the AirconMiser® work?

The compressor is the workhorse of any air-conditioning system, accounting for over 95% of total energy used.  In most air-conditioning units the compressor is run continuously under room thermostat control for perhaps 10-15 minutes until the required room temperature is reached.  However, the compressor’s contribution to cooling is in filling a 'Reservoir' of liquid refrigerant under high pressure that is then used for cooling the room.  Except under very high load conditions, once this reservoir is full - something that usually takes between three and five minutes - the compressor’s useful work is done and keeping this unit running is just wasting energy. The AirconMiser® works in conjunction with the room thermostat to reduce the time that the compressor is in operation, hence saving significant energy.

How much energy can be saved using the AirconMiser®?

Most test reports indicate that the AirconMiser® saves between 40% and 50% of the energy consumption on a properly sized and well maintained air-conditioning unit.  These reports support our view that average energy savings of 30% should be achieved in most installations.

What effect does the AirconMiser® have on the room temperature and humidity levels?

In practice the AirconMiser provides rock steady control of the room temperature and you should notice no difference at all.

Humidity levels are typically slightly elevated by 2-3%, thereby reducing dryness and contributing to a healthier more comfortable working environment.

Does altering the compressor ON/OFF cycle affect the lifetime of the air-conditioning unit?

The AirconMiser® is designed to work with an air-conditioning unit’s own control system to ensure that compressor start-up stresses are minimised. This is done in two ways:

• Following any compressor start, by ensuring that this unit runs for at least three minutes to allow the electric motor time to cool down

• By ensuring that all high-pressure liquid has been used up prior to any compressor start.  In practice you can actually hear that compressor start-ups are quieter with AirconMiser® equipped air-conditioning installations.

On balance, there should be no adverse effect on the expected life of any compressor unit and a very positive improvement in terms of energy/fuel reduction.

Is the AirconMiser® affected by mains voltage/frequency fluctuations?

Except in the most severe circumstances, voltage and frequency variations will have no effect on the performance of the AirconMiser®.  This is because the unit derives works using a highly stabilised internal power supply. Extreme variations or power failure will cause the unit to restart on power resumption.

Can the AirconMiser® be fitted in conjunction with Voltage Stabilizers?

The AirconMiser® is very tolerant in operating under a broad range of power situations.  It’s two main power settings allow it to operate in the range 220/250 V AC and 100/130 volts AC and it can operate at 50 or 60 Hz.

What types of the air-conditioning units can be controlled by the AirconMiser®?

The AirconMiser® performs well on most kinds of the air-conditioning unit, from window type installations through to split units and package based solutions.  It works equally well on units with capacities ranging from 0.5 hp to very large 50 metric tons per hour air-conditioning units.

The existing AirconMiser® design should however not be used with two types of air-conditioning unit:

• Centralised chiller units using water as the cooling medium throughout the building.  This kind of air-conditioning application will require a new design

• Variable speed compressor designs, sometimes called VRV or VRF, that utilise an inverter drive unit. In operation the AirconMiser® delivers energy savings by stopping the compressor: something that is not possible with this kind of air-conditioning unit.
  

What are the most important considerations when installing the AirconMiser®?

Firstly, ensuring that you have a suitably qualified technician to carry out the installation as this involves working with mains electricity which can be fatal.

Secondly, ensuring that the AirconMiser® is properly connected.  Except with the smallest of air-conditioning units, the AirconMiser® should never control the compressor itself.  Rather, it should be used to control a low-power contactor (electrical relay) which in turn energises the high voltage/high current circuit used to power the compressor itself.

Why can they be large variations in AirconMiser® delivered savings?

Energy savings can vary significantly, depending on the sizing of the air-conditioner, the maintenance history and condition of the air-conditioning unit (whether cooling fins and filters have been cleaned and refrigerant levels topped up) and a range of environmental factors.  These factors include whether the compressor is installed in the shade or in direct sunlight and of course the loading on the air-conditioning unit. Delivered energy savings will be greater during the cooler months and lower in the full heat of summer when the air-conditioning unit is at or near its design limit.

As the condition of the air-conditioner is important (servicing can itself reduce energy requirements), the AirconMiser® has built-in alarms that warn when the air-conditioning unit requires servicing.

What does the AirconMiser® temperature sensor monitor?

The sensor is used to monitor the cold supply air temperature coming out of the indoor evaporator unit. The AirconMiser® uses an artificial intelligence design which makes use of this temperature information to minimise energy consumption while ensuring that comfort levels are maintained.

What is the shipping weight of each AirconMiser®?

A single unit weighs 450 g.  The AirconMiser® ships in boxes of 20 and the weight of each box is 9.5 kg.