A Comprehensive Analysis of Air Conditioning Systems: Types, Principles, and Scientific Maintenance Guidelines

 

An air conditioning system is a key device for controlling indoor temperature, humidity, air cleanliness, and air flow. It comes in various types and has a wide range of application scenarios. The following will elaborate from three dimensions: system classification, working principle, and maintenance essentials to help users comprehensively understand and efficiently use the air conditioning system.

 

I. Main Types of Air Conditioning Systems

1.Centralized Air Conditioning System

   In a centralized system, the cooling and heating sources and air - handling equipment (such as air handling units) are centrally installed in the machine room. The treated air is transported to each room through air ducts. Its advantages lie in unified management and stable operation, making it suitable for large - area places such as shopping malls, theaters, and airports. According to the air source, it can be further divided into:

   -Closed System: It only circulates indoor air. It has low energy consumption but poor sanitary conditions, and is suitable for unmanned places such as warehouses.

   -DC System: It uses all outdoor fresh air. It provides high - quality air but has high energy consumption, and is commonly found in laboratories, clean workshops, etc.

   -Hybrid System: It combines fresh air and return air to balance energy consumption and sanitary requirements, and is widely used in office buildings, shopping malls, etc.

 

2.Semi - centralized Air Conditioning System

   This system has both centralized and decentralized characteristics. For example, the combination of "fan coil + fresh air": after the fresh air is centrally treated, the terminal equipment in each room (such as fan coils) performs secondary adjustment of temperature and humidity. It has high flexibility and is suitable for places such as laboratories and office buildings that require independent temperature control.

 

3.Distributed Air Conditioning System

   The equipment is independently installed in each area, such as split - type air conditioners and multi - split air conditioners. It does not require complex pipelines and is suitable for small spaces such as residential houses and hotel guest rooms. It features convenient installation and flexible control, but is difficult to manage uniformly.

 

Other Classification Methods:

-Classified by Treatment Medium:

  -All - air System: It completely relies on the treated air to regulate the environment. It occupies a large space and is used in shopping malls, workshops, etc.

  -All - water System: It regulates temperature and humidity through the circulation of cold and hot water. It needs to be equipped with additional ventilation equipment and is commonly seen in hospitals and hotels.

  -Air - water System: Air and cold/hot water work together to balance ventilation and temperature control, and is mostly used in restaurants and laboratories.

  -Refrigerant System: It directly regulates the temperature through the evaporation/condensation of the refrigerant, such as split - type air conditioners, and is suitable for residential houses and machine rooms.

 

II. Working Principle and Core Processes

The air conditioning system achieves environmental regulation through four major steps:

1.Air Treatment: External air undergoes processes such as filtering, heating/cooling, and humidifying/dehumidifying.

2.Medium Transportation: The treated air/water is transported indoors through air ducts or water pipes.

3.Terminal Distribution: Equipment such as air outlets and fan coils distributes the cold and heat evenly.

4.Circulation Control: According to the feedback from sensors, the operating parameters are automatically adjusted to maintain the set conditions.

 

III. Scientific Maintenance Strategies

1.Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

   - Clean the filters and condensers to prevent dust accumulation from affecting efficiency.

   - Check the refrigerant pressure and the sealing of pipes to prevent leakage.

 

2.Humidity and Temperature Control

   - In summer, it is recommended to set the temperature at 26 ± 2°C and the humidity at 40% - 60%. In winter, the temperature should be set at 20 - 24°C and the humidity at 30% - 50%.

   - Use the dehumidifying or humidifying function to inhibit the growth of mold.

 

3.Operation Optimization

   - Avoid frequent start - stop of the equipment to reduce compressor wear.

   - Activate the fresh air system during the transitional seasons to reduce energy consumption.

 

4.Professional Inspection

   - Conduct a comprehensive inspection at least once a year, including key components such as electrical circuits and fan bearings.

   - Perform software debugging and energy - efficiency evaluation on complex equipment such as variable air volume systems and multi - split air conditioners.

 

IV. Technological Development Trends

Modern air conditioning systems are moving towards intelligence and green development. For example:

-Variable Frequency Technology: It dynamically adjusts the compressor speed according to the load, saving more than 30% of energy.

-Heat Recovery Device: It uses the waste heat of exhaust air to pre - treat fresh air, reducing energy consumption.

-Internet of Things Integration: Through remote monitoring and AI algorithms, it can achieve fault warning and energy - efficiency optimization.

 

Through reasonable selection, standardized use, and scientific maintenance, the air conditioning system can significantly improve indoor comfort and extend its service life, providing reliable guarantee for living and working environments.