An experimental study was conducted to quantify the effect of return air leakage from hot/humid attic spaces on the performance of a residential air conditioner. Tests were conducted in psychrometric facilities where temperatures and humidities could be controlled closely. The test air conditioner had a nominal cooling capacity of 12.3 kW and a seasonal coefficient of performance of 3.8. Return air leakage from hot attic spaces was simulated by assuming adiabatic mixing of the indoor air at normal conditions with the attic air at high temperatures. Effective capacity and coefficient of performance both decreased with increased return air leakage, leakage air temperature, and air humidity. Under attic conditions of 54.4°C and 20 percent relative humidity, 10% return leakage reduced the effective cooling capacity and coefficient of performance of the air conditioner by approximately 30%. Power consumption was relatively constant for all variables except outdoor temperature. The sensible heat ratio (SHR), which is a measure of the dehumidification performance, increased with increasing leakage.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
February 2002
Technical Papers
Return Air Leakage Impact on Air Conditioner Performance in Humid Climates
Dennis L. O’Neal,
Dennis L. O’Neal
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX
Search for other works by this author on:
Angel Rodriguez,
Angel Rodriguez
Enron Energy Services, Norcross, GA
Search for other works by this author on:
Sekhar Kondepudi
Sekhar Kondepudi
Brecis Communications, San Jose, CA
Search for other works by this author on:
Dennis L. O’Neal
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX
Angel Rodriguez
Enron Energy Services, Norcross, GA
Michael Davis
Oarsman Corp., Bryan, TX
Sekhar Kondepudi
Brecis Communications, San Jose, CA
Contributed by the Solar Energy Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for publication in the ASME JOURNAL OF SOLAR ENERGY ENGINEERING. Manuscript received by the ASME Solar Energy Division, Jun 2000; final revision May, 2001. Associate Editor: S. Kleis.
J. Sol. Energy Eng. Feb 2002, 124(1): 63-69 (7 pages)
Published Online: May 1, 2001
Article history
Received:
June 1, 2000
Revised:
May 1, 2001
Citation
O’Neal, D. L., Rodriguez, A., Davis, M., and Kondepudi, S. (May 1, 2001). "Return Air Leakage Impact on Air Conditioner Performance in Humid Climates ." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. February 2002; 124(1): 63–69. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1435648
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
Analysis of Erosion of Surfaces in Falling Particle Concentrating Solar Power
J. Sol. Energy Eng (April 2025)
Related Articles
Solar Heat Underground Storage Based Air Conditioning Vis-à-Vis Conventional HVAC Experimental Validation
J. Sol. Energy Eng (February,2018)
Controls and Diagnostics for Air Distribution Systems
J. Sol. Energy Eng (August,2003)
Continuous Commissioning SM of Building Energy Systems
J. Sol. Energy Eng (August,2003)
Energy Saving Potential of a Combined Solar and Natural Gas-Assisted Vapor Absorption Building Cooling System
J. Sol. Energy Eng (February,2019)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Modeling Building Air Conditioning Energy Consumption in Dense Urban Environments
Handbook of Integrated and Sustainable Buildings Equipment and Systems, Volume I: Energy Systems
Microstructure Evolution and Physics-Based Modeling
Ultrasonic Welding of Lithium-Ion Batteries
A Balance-Space-Based Operation Strategy for CCHP Systems
Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power Systems: Modelling Optimization, and Operation