DYNAMIC MODELLING OF HEATING COSTS OF AN AIR CONDITIONER IN THREE DIFFERENT CLIMATE REGIONS IN TURKEY

Abstract

The applications of AC unit for heating purposes increase with theimprovements in air conditioners’ (AC) automation, performance, andproduction lines. Besides the developments in technology, heatingapplications of AC units can be a sustainable and effective solution with theaim of reducing CO2 emissions. In this study, heating costs of a simpledwelling were calculated. Three cities that represent three different climatesin Turkey were chosen. Unlike steady-state equations to determine heatingloads, transient heat conduction in wall and window components were solvedby applying the finite difference method. Temperature deviation in wall andwindow materials among to thickness direction was calculated. Thus moreaccurate heating loads were obtained. In order to get realistic results, actualenergy prices were used in cost calculations. Heating costs of AC unit thatelectricity is the only expense were compared with a natural gas burner. It isfound that the AC unit is more economical than a gas burner in warm climateregion because COP values of AC unit are the parameter that determines theelectricity cost. COP in warm climate locations is much higher than that ofcold climate region. In regards to heating costs, outside temperature and windspeed characteristics of a place where a building will be constructed shouldbe well-known in order to choose the proper heating system.