Cooling Load

COOLING LOAD

Definition

It is defined as the total heat required to be removed from the space in order to bring it to the desired temperature by air conditioning and equipment.

The cooling load is used to determine the size of the air conditioner and refrigerator that is required to maintain inside conditions at maximum outside temperatures.

It it is the rate a at which sensible and latent heat must be removed from the space to maintain a constant air temperature and humidity.

Sensible heat into the space causes its air temperature to rise while latent heat is associated with the rise of the moisture content in the space.

The building design, internal equipment, occupants, and outdoor weather conditions may affect the cooling load.

The SI unit of cooling load is watts.

Components of a cooling load

The two main components of a cooling load imposed on air conditioning plant operating at hot weather are as follows

1. Sensible heat gain

Sensible heat gain is due to the direct addition of heat to doidw the enclosed space. The sensible heat gain is to be removed during the process of summer air conditioning. The sensible heat gain may occur due to any one or e or all of the following sources of heat transfer

• The heat flowing into the building by conduction through exterior walls, floor, ceilings, door and windows.

• The heat received from solar radiation. It consists of heat amroot b920 transmitted through glass windows, ventilators or doors.

• The heat gain from the fan work.

• The heat liberated by the occupants.

2. Latent heat gain

An addition of water vapour to the air in enclosed space results in latent heat gain. This latent heat is to be removed during the process of summer air conditioning. The latent heat gain may occur due to the following reasons.

• The moisture in the outside air entering by infiltration.

• Condensation of moisture from occupants.

• Condensation of moisture from any process such as cooking foods which takes place within the conditioned space.

Factors influencing cooling load

Every home needs a specific amount of cooling to be comfortable, and achieving this level of comfort is totally dependent on having the right-sized whole home air conditioning unit. There are a number of factors that are part of calculating the cooling load for your home.

• Daytime heat gain -  how much thermal heat your home gains throughout the day

• The orientation of our home - the direction in which our home faces plays a large role in daytime heat gain

• Levels of insulation from top to bottom -  insulation plays a large role in stopping heat transfer, so it's critical dquod to know how much and what type(s) of insulation we have

• Floor plan - an open floor plan will conduct cool air very differently from one that has many closed rooms and walls

• Number and types of windows and doors - insulated windows and doors have a big impact on retaining the cool air in our home

• Number of stories - warm air rises, so it's important bavome to factor in the number of stories of our home

• Number of occupants – people generate heat, which will affect the cooling in our home

• Square footage – size relates to the amount of space our cooling needs to adequately cover