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Continued from page 31
the direction of the air and the electronics that control the
functioning of the unit.
“An important component is the refrigerant. There are two
main refrigerants that are found in portable air conditioners,
these are R22 and R410A. R22 has traditionally been used over
the decades but it is currently being phased out because of its
negative impact on the Ozone Layer. R410 is eco-friendlier and
more energy efficient,” he says.
GOING PORTABLE
www.hvacronline.co.za
Ice rinks are
an area where
portable HVAC
equipment can
be used.
“Portable equipment is mainly used for temporary applications.
It can be for a planned shutdown, to add capacity when the
current equipment can’t cope with demand, or when there
is a breakdown on the current equipment and so portable
equipment is used in the interim,” says Makgatho. Increase
in the use of portable HVAC equipment shows the potential
that lies in it. Swana also attributes this to rising global
temperatures. “People will be looking for convenient cooling
solutions. Space and access to a convenient opening to extract
heat are the key determinants of whether one should go for
a portable unit. The size and configuration of the room is also
a factor, if the windows are far from where the people are
situated in a room a portable unit will not be as effective for
cooling as a split unit,” he concludes. RACA
RACA Journal I February 2020
33