Basic understanding on efficiency of air conditioning

systems calculations and ratios

The chiller efficiency depends on the energy consumed. Absorption chillers are rated in fuel
consumption per ton cooling. Electric motor driven chillers are rated in kilowatts per ton cooling.
KW/ton = 12 / EER
KW/ton = 12 / (COP x 3.412)
COP = EER / 3.412
COP = 12 / (KW/ton) / 3.412
EER = 12 / KW/ton
EER = COP x 3.412
If a chillers efficiency is rated at 1 KW/ton,
COP = 3.5
EER = 12
Cooling Load in - kW/ton
The term kW/ton is commonly used for larger commercial and industrial air-conditioning, heat
pump and refrigeration systems.
The term is defined as the ratio of energy consumption in kW to the rate of heat removal
in tons at the rated condition. The lower the kW/ton the more efficient the system.
kW/ton = P
c
/ E
r
(1)
where
P
c
= energ cons!"#t$on (kW)
E
r
= he%t re"o&e' (ton)
Coefficient of Performance - COP
The Coefficient of erformance - COP - is the basic parameter used to report efficiency of
refrigerant based systems.
The Coefficient of erformance - CO - is the ratio between useful energy ac!uired and energy
applied and can be e"pressed as
COP = E
!
/ E
%
(2)
where
COP = coe(($c$ent o( #er(or"%nce
E
!
= !se(!) energ %c*!$re' (+t! $n $"#er$%) !n$ts)
E
%
= energ %##)$e' (+t! $n $"#er$%) !n$ts)
C# can be used to define both cooling efficiencies or heating efficiencies as for a heat pumps.
Cooling - COP is defined as the ratio of heat removal to energy input to the compressor
Heating - COP is defined as the ratio of heat delivered to energy input to the compressor
COP can be used to define the efficiency at single standard or non-standard rated conditions, or
as a weighted average of seasonal conditions. The term may or may not include the energy
consumption of au"iliary systems such as indoor or outdoor fans, chilled water pumps, or cooling
tower systems.
higher COP - more efficient system
COP can be treated as an efficiency where COP of 2.,, = 2,,- efficiency. $or unitary heat
pumps, ratings at two standard outdoor temperatures of 4.
o
/ and 1.
o
/ %0.3
o
C and 10.3
o
C& are
typically used.
Energy Efficiency Ratio - EER
The Energy Efficiency 'atio - EER - is a term generally used to define cooling efficiencies of
unitary air-conditioning and heat pump systems.
The efficiency is determined at a single rated condition specified by an appropriate e!uipment
standard and is defined as the ratio of net cooling capacity - or heat removed in 2t!/h - to the
total input rate of electric power applied - in W%tts. The units of EER are 2t!/Wh.
EER = E
c
/ P
%
(3)
where
EER = energ e(($c$ent r%t$o (2t!/Wh)
E
c
= net coo)$ng c%#%c$t (2t!/h)
P
%
= %##)$e' e)ectr$c%) #ower (W%tts)
This efficiency term typically includes the energy re!uirement of au"iliary systems such as the
indoor and outdoor fans.
higher EER 1 more efficient system
'egards
Chandrashekhar A.