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Posted by Pop on July 30, 2005, 3:38 pm
> On Fri, 29 Jul 2005 19:31:43 GMT, melbjer@hotmail.com
> wrote:
>
>>
>>I am looking afor a new central AC. I live in Florida
>>so efficiency is
>>important. I looked at Tranes, and found that the 4
>>1/2 ton unit I
>>looked at was rated at a 14 SEER, yet the specs
>>stated it drew 27.5
>>amps for the compressor, an amp or so for the
>>compressor fan, and 7
>>amps for the air handler blower (full speed). Now 4
>>1/2 tons is 54000
>>BTU's per hour, and the power draw is (27.5+1+7)amps
>>X 220V, or 7800
>>watts. This would seem to me to give a SEER of 6.9.
>>This is less than
>>half of the stated SEER of 14. Can anyone explain
>>this? I looked at
>>the ARI website and this seems to be the case for
>>every manufacturer.
>>If I buy a buy a 14 SEER 54000 BTU/hour AC, I would
>>expect it to draw
>>54000/14 watts, or 3850 watts. Can anyone explain
>>this? Neither the
>>Trane dealer or distributor could answer this. Thank
>>you in advance.
>>
>
>
> You are wrong to assume that amps are indirectly
> proportional to
> SEER.
That's correct: The SEER is calculated to include the
phase shifts etc. introduced by the loads, which is why
direct calculations such as the OP used won't wash.
In addition, nameplates & labelling isn't always
accurate. It's often stated to be even higher than the
actual draw, just to account for the possible
variations in the production of multiple units. So
they use a max number on the plates and for the saftey
agencies. Plate numbers are only for sizing wiring to
the unit.
If it has a SEER rating, and a safety label (UL,
CSA, CE, et al), which is a requirement, then the
numbers are correct.
HTH
Pop
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