Author: dev

Marine air conditioning is different from most land air conditioning. It uses water cooling rather than air cooling. This is preferable because of the abundance of water and lack of space.  Marine air conditioners range from simple to complicated units. Below are two different types of Marine air conditioners.

Refrigerant Air Conditioners

This type of air conditioner produces dry cool air. Similar to a refrigeration system, it is based on the principle of evaporating and condensing a refrigerant. It uses a closed loop with a high and low pressure side. The refrigerant gas temperature rises rapidly on the high pressure side due to the compressor. Then the condenser cools and turns it into a liquid. The warm liquid passes into the low pressure side and evaporates back into a gas through the evaporator. In order for this to work, the evaporator needs heat energy coming from the room you wish to cool.

There are two distinct types of Refrigerant Air Conditioning System for marine use. One is the Direct Expansion System which is available in self-contained or split systems. This is more common on mid-range boats.

Another is the Chiller Water System. This is generally housed in the machinery space and pipes that run to each of the air handlers. Cold water is made in the chiller and run through the pipes, and then through the air handlers. This is a more complicated system to install, however it suits larger vessels.

Evaporative air conditioners

This type of air conditioning system uses evaporative cooling from water or ice. The cool air from the water or ice is blown via a fan, to cool down a small area.  It is simpler and much cheaper. It also does not need complicated installation.

If you want to know what kind of air-conditioning unit best suits your vessel, contact us at All Power Pro. We carry a line of different brands of marine equipment, from air-conditioning to generators. In addition, we can also help with your installation, repair and maintenance. When it comes to the efficiency of your vessel, All Power Pro is the only company you can trust.

There are various types of air conditioning systems for marine vessels. Therefore, it is best to know what kind of unit you should purchase. Below is a list of the things you should consider in selecting the right air-conditioner for you vessel.

Heating and Cooling Capabilities

Quality A/C systems should have year-round heating and cooling capabilities. This ensures that moisture is removed from the air, thus preventing dampness, rot and mold.  Controlling humidity can also help in preventing corrosions and ensuring comfortable on-board environment.

Size

The size of your yacht is also very important when determining which system to buy. For smaller boats up to 40ft, self-contained systems are the best choice because of its lower cost and easier installation. Larger yachts up to 80ft should consider split-gas air conditioning systems. These systems can have the condensing unit in the engine room and air handler in the living space. Chilled water systems are also the ideal option for super yachts. These can be tailored to your boats specific needs.

Maintenance

Minimal maintenance will be required if the air conditioning unit is properly manufactured to a high standard. Moreover, minimal maintenance also ensures the maximum performance and longevity of the system.

Self-contained systems need summer and winter maintenance. This involves checking the seawater strainer, thru hull and heat exchanger for any debris pulled in with the seawater. You should also check if the condensate pan is draining properly. Make sure that the system’s hoses, coils and other piping don’t have leaks. Your return air filters should also be clean and free of debris. And then, you should run a little biodegradable antifreeze through the unit during winter seasons.

For maintaining a split-gas system, it takes extra effort. This is because different components are located in different parts of the boat. However, it is pretty much similar with maintaining self-contained systems. You just need to ensure that there no refrigerant leaks.

On the other hand, Chilled Water Systems will require regular service checks by on-board or local service engineers. This is due to the complexity of the system.

Electrical Requirements

Most marine air conditioning runs on alternating currents and different power configurations. However, the electrical consumption depends on the size of the air conditioner. Specification sheets will show the running current information for the unit. It will also identify the right circuit breaker.

At All Power Pro, we provide high quality, innovative air conditioning products and services for marine vessels. You can ensure that we will deliver the best suited equipment for your vessels.