During the last fifty years air condition i ng has become commonplace in commercial buildings and, in this time, we have managed to generate a poor image, both in the press and among the people who occupy air conditioned buildings. How have we succeeded in turning what people in hot countries regard as a blessing into a target for criticism and even abuse?
Until the late 1950s, virtually no firms specialized exclusively in testing, adjusting, and balancing the components of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. The balancing, if performed at all, was done by the HVAC contractor, who lacked the necessary expertise required for advanced testing and balancing. After installation, many design engineers found that their systems were not working, not because of flawed design but because of improper balancing or deficient performance of the equipment.
This paper reviews the results from a field survey of thermal comfort within two types of buildings; old (traditional) and new (contemporary), in Ghadames oasis in Libya. The survey was undertaken in the summer seasons 1997 and 1998, which were typical of the hot-dry climate of North Africa. It shows how the 237 residents responded to the environmental conditions. Questionnaires were collected from the residents of 51 buildings: 24 old buildings that employ natural ventilation systems with courtyards and 27 new buildings that employ air-conditioning systems.
Arbitrary energy conservation tactics have caused numerous environmental problems in all types of buildings. HVAC testing and adjusting can help solve them
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