Thermodynamics

290 | ThermodynamicsFIGURE 6–23When installed backward, an airconditioner functions as a heat pump.© Reprinted with special permission of KingFeatures Syndicate.Most existing heat pumps use the cold outside air as the heat source inwinter, and they are referred to as air-source heat pumps. The COP ofsuch heat pumps is about 3.0 at design conditions. Air-source heat pumpsare not appropriate for cold climates since their efficiency drops considerablywhen temperatures are below the freezing point. In such cases, geothermal(also called ground-source) heat pumps that use the ground as theheat source can be used. Geothermal heat pumps require the burial ofpipes in the ground 1 to 2 m deep. Such heat pumps are more expensive toinstall, but they are also more efficient (up to 45 percent more efficientthan air-source heat pumps). The COP of ground-source heat pumps isabout 4.0.Air conditioners are basically refrigerators whose refrigerated space isa room or a building instead of the food compartment. A window airconditioningunit cools a room by absorbing heat from the room air anddischarging it to the outside. The same air-conditioning unit can be usedas a heat pump in winter by installing it backwards as shown in Fig. 6–23.In this mode, the unit absorbs heat from the cold outside and delivers it tothe room. Air-conditioning systems that are equipped with proper controlsand a reversing valve operate as air conditioners in summer and as heatpumps in winter.The performance of refrigerators and air conditioners in the United Statesis often expressed in terms of the energy efficiency rating (EER), which isthe amount of heat removed from the cooled space in Btu’s for 1 Wh (watthour)of electricity consumed. Considering that 1 kWh 3412 Btu and thus1 Wh 3.412 Btu, a unit that removes 1 kWh of heat from the cooledspace for each kWh of electricity it consumes (COP 1) will have an EERof 3.412. Therefore, the relation between EER and COP isEER 3.412 COP RMost air conditioners have an EER between 8 and 12 (a COP of 2.3 to3.5). A high-efficiency heat pump manufactured by the Trane Companyusing a reciprocating variable-speed compressor is reported to have a COPof 3.3 in the heating mode and an EER of 16.9 (COP of 5.0) in the airconditioningmode. Variable-speed compressors and fans allow the unit tooperate at maximum efficiency for varying heating/cooling needs and weatherconditions as determined by a microprocessor. In the air-conditioning mode,for example, they operate at higher speeds on hot days and at lower speedson cooler days, enhancing both efficiency and comfort.The EER or COP of a refrigerator decreases with decreasing refrigerationtemperature. Therefore, it is not economical to refrigerate to a lowertemperature than needed. The COPs of refrigerators are in the range of2.6–3.0 for cutting and preparation rooms; 2.3–2.6 for meat, deli, dairy,and produce; 1.2–1.5 for frozen foods; and 1.0–1.2 for ice cream units.Note that the COP of freezers is about half of the COP of meat refrigerators,and thus it costs twice as much to cool the meat products with refrigeratedair that is cold enough to cool frozen foods. It is good energyconservation practice to use separate refrigeration systems to meet differentrefrigeration needs.