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Advanced Onboard Diagnostics for HVAC Systems--Proctor
Engineering Group, 818 Fifth Avenue, Suite 208, San Rafael, CA
94901-3239; 415-455-5700
Mr. John P.
Proctor, Principal Investigator, john@proctoreng.com
Ms. Patty Avery, Business Official, john@proctoreng.com
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-02ER83439
Amount: $100,000
The majority of air conditioning
systems are not installed or maintained correctly.
Recent studies have shown that 60% of the systems are significantly
deficient in evaporator airflow, refrigerant charge, or both. When duct efficiency problems are included, over 95% of the systems are
running well below their design efficiency.
This project will introduce a continuous measuring device for residential
and small commercial air conditioners. The
device will determine an air conditioner’s performance and pinpoint corrective
actions, direct a responding technician to the cause of the problem, and confirm
that it has been fixed. Phase I will
analyze existing research on air conditioner monitoring and the critical
parameters that determine or indicate performance. Numerous methods of
determining problems and pinpointing problem causuality will be tested.
Commercial Applications and Other
Benefits as
described by the awardee: The device
should be applicable to all residential and small commercial air conditioners.
It can be applied in the factory, or retrofitted to existing equipment.
The device also would provide a ready platform for monitoring and reacting to
pollutants important to building occupants.
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